Imperial's BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science: your complete application guide
We explore the key steps in the admissions journey and share insights into crafting a strong application.
We’re delighted you're applying to our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme at Imperial Business School.
This innovative programme is designed for ambitious students who want to explore the intersection of economics, finance and data science, a combination that’s transforming business and policy. You’ll gain a compelling combination of analytical thinking, hands-on coding skills and economic and financial insights, and have access to Imperial’s top-tier teaching, research, and industry connections.
The competitiveness of our programme reflects the excellence of our student cohort — if you meet the requirements and are passionate about the field, we strongly encourage you to apply through UCAS.
In this blog, we break down the admissions journey, covering key steps and insights that will help you during your application process
Researching programmes and universities effectively
A programme’s title is just the beginning — it’s the individual modules that reveal what and how you’ll actually learn. To truly understand a university programme, it’s important to examine the structure and content of individual modules. These provide insight into the topics you’ll explore and the skills you’ll develop. Taking the time to review this detail can help you assess how well a programme fits with your academic strengths, personal interests and long-term career goals.
Take a closer look and review the modules offered in our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme here.
Open Days
Visiting universities in person is one of the most effective ways to deepen your understanding of what each institution has to offer. Attending an Open Day allows you to experience the campus environment firsthand, speak directly with staff and students, and explore the facilities and support services available.
At Imperial, you can register for one of our Open Days, where you’ll have the opportunity to attend subject-specific talks and drop-in sessions tailored to the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme.
On top of this, the Business School offers a variety of events and webinars for prospective undergraduate students, including:
- Subject taster lectures delivered by our academic faculty
- Q&A panels with current BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science students
- Maths Taster Days in collaboration with the Department of Mathematics
These events provide an excellent opportunity to explore our programme in more depth, gain insights into the student experience, and hear directly from academic experts in their fields. Some events also offer a valuable chance to practice advanced mathematics and give you a taste of what to expect if you do come to study at Imperial Business School.
How to write a personal statement that stands out
As part of your UCAS application, your personal statement should address three key questions that help universities understand your motivation and suitability for the course:
- Why do you want to study this course or subject?
- How have your qualifications and studies helped you prepare for this course or subject?
- What else have you done to prepare outside of your education, and why are these experiences useful?
UCAS provides useful information to help guide you in answering these questions. Due to the interdisciplinary scope of our programme, it’s entirely expected that your personal statement may place greater emphasis on some areas — such as economics, finance, or data science — over others. To support you in crafting a compelling application, Cloda Jenkins, a lecturer on the programme and Head of Year for our first student cohort, has written a helpful blog offering guidance on how to approach your personal statement effectively.
Discover how to write a personal statement for Imperial
Preparing for the TMUA admission test
The BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme has a strong analytical focus and is ideal for students who enjoy working with advanced mathematics.
Starting in 2025, we are introducing the Test of Mathematics University Admissions (TMUA) as part of our admissions process.
The TMUA can be taken in either October or January, with no inherent advantage to choosing one over the other. However, we recommend the October sitting, as it allows us to receive your score earlier and align it more efficiently with your UCAS application.
Please note that we can only consider your first test score from the year you apply, so you should only take one test.
To register and find a test centre, go to the TMUA website.
To help you feel confident on test day, we recommend revising key mathematical topics and getting to know the test format in advance.
You’ll find helpful resources, including preparation resources and information about what to expect, on the UAT-UK website.
How do we assess an application?
If you meet our minimum entry requirements – including the necessary mathematics qualifications – and complete the TMUA, your application will be considered for interview.
We take a holistic approach when reviewing applications. This means we look carefully at a range of factors, including your academic performance, subject choices, personal statement, reference and TMUA score.
There’s currently no minimum TMUA score, and we don’t apply fixed weightings to the different components of the application. Instead, we consider your strengths across the full picture of your application.
Looking ahead: what comes next after receiving an offer
Whilst your focus right now is on creating a strong application, a key moment in your decision-making journey lies after you have received an offer.
Offer Holder Days are a chance to get a real feel for life at Imperial and to explore the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme in more detail. These events give you the opportunity to:
- Dive deeper into the programme content beyond our brochures
- Attend talks and Q&A sessions with current staff and students
- Learn about the academic, wellbeing and pastoral support available
- Hear directly from teams covering accommodation, student life and the Students’ Union
Offer Holder Days usually take place in April and are highly recommended – whether you join in person or online, they are a valuable part of confirming that Imperial is the right place for you.
Applying to the BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme at Imperial is an exciting step toward a dynamic and interdisciplinary academic journey. By understanding the application process, preparing for the TMUA, and exploring the programme in depth through our events and Open Days, you’ll be well-positioned to submit a strong application. We value intellectual curiosity, analytical thinking and a passion for solving real-world challenges; we look forward to seeing how you might contribute to our vibrant student community.
If this programme aligns with your goals and interests, we encourage you to take the next step and apply. We hope to welcome you to Imperial soon.
Apply to our BSc Economics, Finance and Data Science programme
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