Overview
Introduction
This BSc Mathematics with Data Sciences combines rigorous training in mathematics with an in-depth study of data science advancements.
Initially, you’ll study foundational mathematical methods and statistical theory before progressing to more advanced topics such as programming, machine learning and AI.
During your studies, you’ll go well beyond exploring these topics in a theoretical way – you’ll look at the broader social science applications in economics, finance and society.
The programme enables you to develop strong quantitative knowledge and data analysis skills that are highly sought after in employment. Our graduates are in great demand in sectors such as banking, finance, accounting, data analysis, IT, consulting, insurance and research.
Preliminary readings
Much of university level mathematics is concerned with formal proofs and rigorous mathematical argument, and this is necessary for some of the advanced mathematics required in finance, economics, and other fields of application. For an introduction, we recommend:
- L Alcock How to Study for a Mathematics Degree (Oxford University Press, 2013)
- R Allenby Numbers and Proofs (Butterworth-Heinemann, 1997)
- P Eccles An Introduction to Mathematical Reasoning (Cambridge University Press, 1997)
- T Gowers Mathematics: a very short introduction (Oxford University Press, 2002)
- M Liebeck A Concise Introduction to Pure Mathematics (Chapman & Hall/CRC Mathematics, 2005)
For an introduction to data science, we recommend:
- G Grolemund and Hadley Wickham R for Data Science (O'Reilly Media, 2016)
- JV. Guttag Introduction to Computation and Programming using Python (Second Edition, The MIT Press, 2017)
- James et al An Introduction to Statistical Learning: With applications in R (Springer, 2013)
- N. Silver The signal and the noise: the art and science of prediction (Penguin UK, 2012)
Why study with us
Discover more about our students and department.
Meet the department
The Department of Mathematics aims to be a leading centre for the study of mathematics in the social sciences.
The department has a vibrant intellectual community, with fantastic students, internationally respected academics and high-achieving alumni. Our department has grown rapidly in recent years, with exciting developments in research and new teaching programmes and courses.
This research encompasses four main overlapping areas:
- discrete mathematics
- mathematical game theory
- financial and related mathematics
- optimisation and algorithms.
All aspects of our research were ranked world-leading or internationally excellent in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (2021), submitted jointly with the Department of Statistics.
We embrace the School’s ethos of research-led teaching. Currently, we offer four undergraduate and three postgraduate programmes, as well as doctoral research opportunities on our MPhil/PhD in Mathematics. These programmes are all in high demand – attracting talented students from diverse backgrounds.
Our programmes are highly interdisciplinary and we have close ties with other departments at LSE, including Statistics, Economics, Finance, Management and the Data Science Institute.
Whatever your study route, you’ll benefit from a welcoming, inclusive and friendly learning environment where students and staff are supported to achieve their best.
Learn more about our programmes, recent research and regular events and seminars.
Why LSE
University of the Year 2025 and 1st in the UK in 2025 and 2026
Times and The Sunday Times - Good University Guide 2025 and 20261st in London for the 14th year running
The Complete University Guide - University League Tables 20265th in the world for the study of social sciences and management
QS World University Rankings by Subject 20266th in the world for leading the way in social and environmental sustainability
QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026Fees and funding
The table of fees shows the latest tuition fees for all programmes.
You're charged a fee for each year of your programme. Your tuition fee covers registration and examination fees payable to the School, lectures, classes and individual supervision, lectures given at other colleges under intercollegiate arrangements and, under current arrangements, membership of the Students' Union. It doesn't cover living costs or travel or fieldwork.
Your tuition fees, and eligibility for any financial support, depend on whether you’re classified as a home or an overseas student – known as your fee status. We assess your fee using The Higher education (Fee Limit Condition) (England) Regulations 2017.
Learn more about fee status classification.
We recognise that the cost of living in London may be higher than in your home town or country. LSE offers a range of financial support to help eligible students with the cost of studying.
For UK Home fee status students, this includes the LSE Bursary, LSE Scholarships, the LSE Accommodation Bursary, and the Care-Experienced and Estranged Student Bursary. UK students may also be eligible for government student loans.
For Overseas fee status students, the School provides a range of bursaries and scholarships, including the LSE Access to Education Scholarships, to support your undergraduate study. These awards are funded by philanthropic donations to LSE and vary each year in number, value and eligibility criteria.
Learning and assessment
How you learn
Format and contact hours: you’ll usually attend two lectures and one related class for each course per week (eight lectures and four classes). Additionally, you’ll work on exercises in your own time, which are discussed in weekly classes with around 15 students. Hours vary depending on the course. Further details are given in the Calendar within the Teaching section of each course guide.
LSE teaching: all courses include seminars, classes and/or computer workshops to help you develop a deeper understanding of concepts and methods introduced in lectures. In computer workshops, you’ll work on practical data exercises using software and programming languages (mainly Python). Classes and workshops provide a great opportunity to ask questions about the lecture material and other related topics.
LSE is internationally recognised for teaching and research and our academics have wide-ranging expertise. Courses may be taught by our faculty staff, guest teachers and visiting members of staff, LSE teaching fellows and graduate teaching assistants, who may be doctoral research students.
Learn about the teacher responsible for each course in the relevant course guide.
Academic mentor: you’ll meet with your academic mentor regularly to discuss your work. Your mentor can provide advice and guidance on academic issues and, where appropriate, personal concerns.
Other academic support: at LSE, we offer lots of opportunities to extend your learning outside the classroom.
The Learning Lab is the place to discover and develop the skills you’ll need to reach your academic goals at LSE.
Through the Learning Lab, you can:
- attend practical workshops and one-to-one sessions on essay writing, conducting research, and on managing your reading lists, workloads, and deadlines
- develop your academic writing, reading, and critical-thinking skills to meet degree-level expectations
- work in study groups to strengthen collaboration, cross-cultural communication, and teamwork skills in a supportive environment.
Disability and Mental Health Service: we want all LSE students to achieve their full potential. Students can access free, confidential advice through our Disability and Mental Health Service. This is the first point of contact for students.
- The standard teaching day runs from 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday. Undergraduate teaching is not normally scheduled for Wednesdays after 12 noon to allow for sports, volunteering and other extra-curricular activities.
- The lecture and seminar timetable is published in mid-August and the full academic timetable (with information on classes) is published by mid-September via the LSE timetables web pages.
- All personal undergraduate timetables are published in LSE for You (LFY). For personal timetables to appear, you must be registered at LSE, be signed up for courses in LFY and ensured that there are no unauthorised clashes in your course selections. We try our best to minimise changes once personal timetables have been published. However, you’ll be notified about any changes by email.
How you're assessed
Formative coursework
All taught courses include formative coursework, which is not assessed. This helps prepare you for summative assessment. We use a range of formative assessment methods, such as essays, case studies, reports, quizzes and mock exams.
Feedback is an essential part of the learning experience at the School. You’ll receive feedback on any formative coursework within three weeks, provided it’s submitted on time.
Summative assessment
This assessment counts towards your final course mark and degree award.
Summative assessment includes exams at the end of each year (May or early June). Some courses also include assessments in January.
You’ll receive feedback on any summative coursework as part of the assessment for individual courses (except for final submitted dissertations). Feedback will normally be provided before the examination period.
Assessment on individual courses can change from year to year. See details of the current formative coursework and summative assessment for each course in the relevant course guide.
Graduate destinations
Overview
Recent graduates have gone on to work in the areas of corporate finance, accountancy, management, banking, and in data analysis related to those businesses. Many have pursued graduate study in areas related to mathematics, economics, or both.
Further information on graduate destinations for this programme
Median salary of our undergraduate students 15 months after graduating:
Top 5 sectors our students work in:
Career support
From CV workshops through to careers fairs, LSE offers lots of information and support to help you make that all-important step from education into work.
Many of the UK’s top employers give careers presentations at the School during the year and there are numerous workshops covering topics such as job hunting, managing interviews, writing a cover letter and using LinkedIn.
See LSE Careers for further details.
Discover Uni
Every undergraduate programme of more than one year duration will have Discover Uni data. The data allows you to compare information about individual programmes at different higher education institutions.
Programmes offered by different institutions with similar names can vary quite significantly. We recommend researching the programmes you're interested in and taking into account the programme structure, teaching and assessment methods, and support services available.
