For a UK Economics degree, A-level Maths is the key requirement: most of the leading courses require it, often at A or A*, while A-level Economics is not required. Typical offers range from A*A*A to A*AA at the most selective universities and AAB to ABB at many others. For 2027 entry, Cambridge Economics uses the TMUA, Oxford's economics courses use the TARA, and Imperial's BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science uses the TMUA.
Economics looks like an essay subject from the outside. At university it is a mathematical one, and the entry requirements reflect that. The single most important subject in an Economics application is not Economics. It is Maths.
Required subjects
- A-level Maths: required by most leading Economics courses, usually at A or A*. Further Maths helps at the most selective.
- A-level Economics: not required. It helps you write about the subject, but universities do not expect it.
- Essay subjects such as History or Politics are a good complement, especially for economics with politics or PPE.
Courses without a Maths requirement exist, often as economics combined with management, politics or history, and they tend to be less mathematical. Check the course content as well as the requirements.
Typical offers
| Type of university | Typical A-level offer |
|---|---|
| Most selective (Cambridge, LSE, Oxford and similar) | A*A*A to A*AA, with A* in Maths |
| Other highly selective universities | A*AA to AAA |
| Many strong universities | AAB to ABB |
Check each course page; contextual offers can be lower.
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Admissions tests for 2027 entry
| University | Test | Courses |
|---|---|---|
| Cambridge | TMUA | Economics |
| Imperial | TMUA | BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science |
| Oxford | TARA | Economics and Management; Philosophy, Politics and Economics; History and Economics |
Other universities may use or accept the TMUA for some economics courses; check each course page. More on the tests: STEP and TMUA explained, TARA explained, and every test date for 2027 entry.
What makes an Economics application stand out
- A real question you have thought through: a policy, a market, a puzzle in the data, with your view on it and the evidence against it.
- Mathematical confidence: show you enjoy the quantitative side, not just the news.
- Reading with a reaction: not a list of books, but what one argument made you think and where you disagree.
Our Economics personal statement guide covers each UCAS question. For PPE at Oxford, see the PPE personal statement guide.
Deadlines
Oxford and Cambridge closed at 18:00 on 15 October 2026; most other Economics courses close at 18:00 on 13 January 2027. Full calendar: UCAS deadlines for 2027 entry.
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Related guides
- Economics personal statement guide
- Computer Science entry requirements
- Engineering entry requirements
- STEP and TMUA explained
Sources
- Imperial College London, TMUA
- University of Oxford, Admissions tests
- University of Cambridge, Admission assessments
- UAT-UK, ESAT and TMUA
Frequently asked questions
Do you need A-level Economics to study Economics at university?
No. UK universities do not require it, and many successful applicants never studied it. A-level Maths is the subject that matters most, because university economics is mathematical from the first year.
Do you need Maths for an Economics degree?
At most of the leading courses, yes, usually at grade A or A*. Some universities offer economics courses without A-level Maths, but they are fewer and often in a different style, such as economics combined with politics or management. Check the course page.
Which universities use an admissions test for Economics?
For 2027 entry, Cambridge Economics uses the TMUA, Imperial's BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science uses the TMUA, and Oxford's Economics and Management, PPE and History and Economics use the TARA. Other universities may use or accept a test for some courses, so check each one.
What grades do you need for Economics?
Typical offers range from A*A*A to A*AA at the most selective universities to AAB or ABB at many others, usually with a high grade in Maths. Contextual offers can be lower.
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