Students’ views of A-level Mathematics as preparation for degree-level economics

Abstract

As part of a large-scale survey of over 4000 undergraduates at British universities, 238 economics students reported on their experiences of studying post-compulsory secondary mathematics qualifications (A-levels) and the preparation they provided for their degrees. Participants were positive about their experience of post-compulsory mathematics and reported that both A-level Mathematics and A-level Further Mathematics were good preparation for undergraduate economics. They were most positive about the preparation that the statistics units had given them, as well as experience with calculus. Areas that students felt could have been advantageous to cover at A-level were optimisation and linear programming. Furthermore, participants who had taken Further Mathematics were very positive, which suggests that admissions tutors might wish to consider recommending it as an A-level for potential economics applicants.