Preparing for my future career

Why did you decide to study BSc Economics and Mathematics at Sheffield?

My first time hearing of Sheffield was when Sheffield United invested in my local football team back in China, Chengdu Tiancheng FC. After travelling to the UK once I had finished school in 2018, I became more aware of Sheffield’s long history and profound cultural heritage. I chose to study here because the University of Sheffield is located in the heart of the city and it has an excellent academic reputation. I aspire to work in finance, and current trends within the financial industry indicate the growing importance of a strong mathematics background. The dual honours Economics and Mathematics course provides me with a robust foundation in both disciplines, which will support my future career. 

What do you enjoy most about the course?

I enjoy the course because it teaches me to understand economic law from a mathematical perspective. I find the course more enjoyable than mathematics alone because formulae and statistical methods covered during maths modules can be readily applied to economic contexts - it is this combination of the two disciplines that I find fascinating. Studying maths gives me a more intuitive understanding of the laws of economics, allowing me to understand several complicated laws with simple mathematical knowledge.

What skills have you developed during your course?

I have learnt to use parameters to build a reliable economic model, which can be used to make predictions. I am able to think logically and critically about economic, and other, problems from a mathematical perspective. 

What are your plans for after you've graduated?

After completing my undergraduate degree, I hope to pursue further study in statistics or financial mathematics to increase my knowledge and employability. From a previous internship, I have come to learn that the future of finance will require graduates to have more robust mathematical minds than previously, in order to effectively predict risk. 

What would you say to anyone thinking about studying BSc Economics and Mathematics at Sheffield?

Through the innovative combination of economics and mathematics, you can gain a deeper understanding of the laws of economics, whilst also developing a better grasp of the theory underpinning mathematical formulae. The course also provides a strong grounding in statistics, which will be extremely helpful in many careers. These factors make students with mathematical and economic backgrounds increasingly desirable in the graduate labour market.