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MSc Statistics/Data Science after BSc Economics?

Hi there,
I'm a first year BSc Economics student at a good Russell group uni. Before coming to uni, I was between doing an economics degree and a mathematics degree, but ended up going with economics as I felt it could combine my interests in statistics, economics and politics. However, I've recently started thinking about what I actually want to do with my life after university, and I think I want to pursue something in stats/data science, as statistics has always been an interest of mine and I've also been interested in econometrics since starting uni. My question is, how likely is it that I would able to pursue an MSc in statistics or maybe data science after an economics degree?
Many thanks.
Original post by hbrton
Hi there,
I'm a first year BSc Economics student at a good Russell group uni. Before coming to uni, I was between doing an economics degree and a mathematics degree, but ended up going with economics as I felt it could combine my interests in statistics, economics and politics. However, I've recently started thinking about what I actually want to do with my life after university, and I think I want to pursue something in stats/data science, as statistics has always been an interest of mine and I've also been interested in econometrics since starting uni. My question is, how likely is it that I would able to pursue an MSc in statistics or maybe data science after an economics degree?
Many thanks.
Just look at the entry requirements for MSc Statistics/Data Science courses at the sort of universities you think you might be interested in applying to. Beyond that, you'll also be able to find lots of people on LinkedIn from each MSc course, there you can take a look at their undergrad background.

Fwiw I know of some applied stats & data science courses which is more geared towards people who have a decent quantitative but non-stem background. I'd take a look at Exeter for example.
Reply 2
Original post by BenRyan99
Just look at the entry requirements for MSc Statistics/Data Science courses at the sort of universities you think you might be interested in applying to. Beyond that, you'll also be able to find lots of people on LinkedIn from each MSc course, there you can take a look at their undergrad background.
Fwiw I know of some applied stats & data science courses which is more geared towards people who have a decent quantitative but non-stem background. I'd take a look at Exeter for example.

Thanks for the reply!
A lot of the entry requirements are quite vague. From what I've read they often require you to study some level of linear algebra, calculus, probability and statistics. I'm hoping most of these will be covered, as I'm studying advanced maths/statistics modules in the first year, and I'm planning on taking the more quantitative modules in the next two years, such as mathematical economics modules as well as a lot of econometrics. Just unsure of whether this will be enough to get me on courses compared to students with degrees in areas such as maths or physics. Wondering if maybe it might be worth trying to change to a maths degree, as even though I probably find economics more interesting overall, I'm wondering if maths may be more likely to take me on the career path I want?
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by hbrton
Thanks for the reply!
A lot of the entry requirements are quite vague. From what I've read they often require you to study some level of linear algebra, calculus, probability and statistics. I'm hoping most of these will be covered, as I'm studying advanced maths/statistics modules in the first year, and I'm planning on taking the more quantitative modules in the next two years, such as mathematical economics modules as well as a lot of econometrics. Just unsure of whether this will be enough to get me on courses compared to students with degrees in areas such as maths or physics. Wondering if maybe it might be worth trying to change to a maths degree, as even though I probably find economics more interesting overall, I'm wondering if maths may be more likely to take me on the career path I want?
It's a trade-off really. A statistics degree will undoubtedly be better prep for a good MSc data science degree and a career in data science. Whether it's worth the hassle and additional fees of starting a new degree for the third time, this is less clear and depends on your own preferences and the university you're at (and could potentially do a BSc stats degree at).

The MSc Data Science courses that are accessible from an economics undergrad are usually more conversion courses. And the courses at the top unis are unlikely to be accessible unless your undergrad economics degree is already from a very solid uni.
Reply 4
Original post by BenRyan99
It's a trade-off really. A statistics degree will undoubtedly be better prep for a good MSc data science degree and a career in data science. Whether it's worth the hassle and additional fees of starting a new degree for the third time, this is less clear and depends on your own preferences and the university you're at (and could potentially do a BSc stats degree at).
The MSc Data Science courses that are accessible from an economics undergrad are usually more conversion courses. And the courses at the top unis are unlikely to be accessible unless your undergrad economics degree is already from a very solid uni.
Thanks so much for the reply. What would be considered as a very solid uni? I'm studying at Uni of Manchester, not sure where that would fit in. Yeah what you're saying is really what has been bouncing around in my head for the last few weeks. UOM has a maths with statistics course that I have the grades to get on to, and the ucas deadline isn't for another 2 months, so I could reapply and start from first year next year. But as you say, the money issue of restarting is a problem, and also I'm concerned about what would happen if I get on the course and I find the pure maths side too difficult or not interesting to me (for the record, I didn't study further maths at sixth form), especially because I do like economics so far, and have done quite well in my first exams. I think if I was guaranteed that I could study statistics at masters level after the econ degree, I'd stick with it, but just heard so many different answers from different people that now I'm starting to think I might've gone with the wrong degree for the career path I want. Also because I took your advice and looked up people with an MSc in stats or data science on linkedin, and 99% did an undergrad in maths.

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