Is it possible to become a quant with an economics degree?

Asking for a friend here. He's doing economics and statistics at UCL but he's realised that he actually enjoys the more numerical aspects of finance more and, after doing research (apparently) he's decided that being a quantitative analyst at a bank would be more suited for him than working as a trader. He wants to do a masters degree and maybe a PhD but what would be the best way for him to become a quant? Is it even possible with an economics and stats degree? What further study should he do?

Economics on its own isn't enough but the statistics he is doing will help. If he wants to become a quant at a top hedge fund/bank then he really needs to do a PhD in maths/stats/engineering. If he doesn't want to do any further education then he should teach himself a language such as C++ etc. but it is unlikely he will find anywhere without a PhD in my opinion.