Imperial College London has long been a global leader in mathematics, science, and technology. Now, it has launched one of the most ambitious new undergraduate degrees in the UK: the BSc in Economics, Finance and Data Science (EFDS).
But prestige comes at a cost. From conversations with Imperial’s admissions team, it is expected that fewer than 3% of applicants will secure a place. That would make EFDS not only the most competitive course at Imperial, but potentially one of the hardest undergraduate programmes to enter in the UK.
So, how do you stand out in such a selective process? At The Profs, we’ve supported hundreds of ambitious undergraduates in securing offers from top universities. In fact, 84% of our students receive an offer from their first-choice university, and 99% from one of their top two.*
This guide covers everything you need to know, from entry requirements and admissions tests to personal statements, interviews, and insider advice. If you’re seeking long-term support, our Admissions Tutors are here to help.
*Source: The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025.
Why EFDS at Imperial Is So Competitive
Imperial has launched a brand-new undergraduate course: BSc EFDS. Even though it is in its first year of running, it is already tipped to be one of the most competitive courses in the country.
The predicted acceptance rate sits at under 3%, which would make EFDS even more selective than Oxford and Cambridge, where acceptance rates for most courses average around 4–6%.
A few reasons why competition will be so intense:
Global reputation:
- Imperial is world-renowned for science, mathematics, engineering and technology.
- Adding Economics, Finance and Data Science to its portfolio makes EFDS one of the most attractive new courses in the UK.
Unmatched demand:
- Economics and Finance are consistently oversubscribed subjects at top universities. Adding Data Science; one of the fastest growing and most in-demand fields worldwide only increases the appeal.
Selectivity
- With only a small first-year intake, spaces are extremely limited. Thousands of strong applicants will be competing for a handful of places.
Future career potential:
- EFDS is designed to equip students with the skills to thrive in finance, consulting, data analysis, and beyond.
- Employers are actively looking for graduates who can combine economic theory, financial knowledge, and advanced data methods.
With an acceptance rate of just 3%, Imperial’s EFDS is one of the toughest courses in the UK. Don’t leave your chances to luck. Instead, reach out to The Profs University Admissions Tutors today and start building a winning application strategy.
Entry Requirements for Imperial EFDS
Securing a place on Imperial’s EFDS programme starts with meeting the formal entry requirements. These are already set at a very high level, and in reality, most successful applicants will go far beyond the minimum.
A-Level Requirements:
Minimum offer: A*AA
Subjects:
- A* in Mathematics (non-negotiable).
- AA in two other subjects. Further Mathematics or Economics are useful, but not strictly required.
- General Studies or Critical Thinking are not accepted.
International Baccalaureate (IB) Requirements:
Minimum offer: 39 points overall.
Higher Level: You must get a 7 in Mathematics, a 6 in a second subject, and a 6 in a third subject.
Admissions Test: TMUA
- All applicants must sit the Test of Mathematics for University Admission (TMUA). This is a two-paper exam assessing mathematical reasoning and problem-solving.
- The test is time-pressured and demanding, so preparation well in advance is essential.
English Language Requirements:
- For non-native speakers of English, Imperial requires proof of proficiency through recognised qualifications such as IELTS or TOEFL.
- Two levels exist: standard and higher. Most competitive programmes, including EFDS, will expect you to meet the higher level (IELTS 7.0 overall, with no band lower than 6.5).
Why This Course Is Unique
EFDS is not just a standard economics course with a data add-on, nor a traditional finance programme with some coding modules thrown in.
Instead, it has been designed from the ground up to combine three high-demand disciplines into a single, future-focused degree.
A Course Built for the Future
Imperial has deliberately structured EFDS to reflect the evolving demands of global employers.
Where traditional economics and finance graduates might compete for crowded entry-level roles, EFDS graduates will be equipped with advanced data science skills that give them an immediate edge.
- Economics: Build strong foundations in micro, macro, and applied economics.
- Finance: Gain fluency in financial modelling, asset pricing, and risk management.
- Data Science: Learn to code, apply statistical models, and harness machine learning techniques to solve real-world problems.
The Imperial Advantage
Being based at one of the world’s leading STEM-focused universities gives EFDS a unique identity:
- A course taught in a mathematics and science-driven environment, setting it apart from traditional economics faculties.
- Close ties to London’s financial sector and tech hub, giving students unrivalled career opportunities.
- A teaching philosophy that blends theory with practice, from economic modelling to coding projects and financial case studies.
In short, EFDS is not just another economics or finance degree. It’s designed to create a new breed of graduate: one who can think like an economist, analyse like a financier, and build solutions like a data scientist.
Top Tips for Getting Into Imperial EFDS
Here at The Profs we have all the tried and tested methods to help you stand out from the crowd. Amongst the many tips we have under our belt, here are our top 4:
Tip 1: Excel at Mathematics
Mathematics is at the heart of EFDS. Imperial applicants must sit a 30-minute maths quiz based on the AQA A-level syllabus.
Past candidates describe the content as accessible but warn that the pace is punishing, as the challenge is completing enough questions accurately within the time limit.
How to prepare effectively:
- Drill past A-level questions until you can solve them quickly and without hesitation.
- Focus on calculus, algebra, probability and statistics, as these often underpin finance and data science modules.
- Practise with a timer as Imperial isn’t just testing knowledge, it’s testing fluency under pressure.
Beyond the admissions test, showing quantitative strength in your personal statement and predicted grades is vital.
If you’ve entered maths challenges (like UKMT) or explored coding projects with heavy mathematical elements, highlight these to prove you’re confident with numbers.
Tip 2: Create a Unique Identity in Your Personal Statement
Writing the EFDS personal statement is especially challenging because you need to balance three fields: economics, finance, and data science in just 4,000 characters. Simply mentioning each subject separately can make your statement look fragmented. The key is to create a coherent academic identity that ties all three together.
For many, that identity is built on quantitative methods: showing how mathematical problem-solving links to financial models, and how data science can be applied to economics.
Strong approaches include:
- Framing your interest around evidence-based decision making, explaining how you enjoy applying maths to real-world economic or financial problems.
- Referring to experiences that integrate disciplines, such as coding an algorithm to analyse financial markets or entering an essay competition on data-driven economic policy.
- Highlighting supercurriculars that overlap fields, such as, reading The Signal and the Noise (data science applied to economics), or attending lectures on fintech.
Avoid clichés like ‘I have always loved finance’. Instead, show how you’ve engaged with the subject through tangible experiences.
A Good Example:
‘During my internship at a fintech startup, I built a Python script to clean and analyse large financial datasets. This experience not only improved my coding skills but also showed me how statistical modelling could be applied to detect market anomalies, a link between data science and finance that I now want to explore academically.’
Why this is good:
- Specific: Mentions the exact activity (Python script at a fintech startup).
- Interdisciplinary: Connects finance, coding, and statistics, which fits the EFDS degree perfectly.
- Reflective: Goes beyond describing the task to explain what was learned and how it shaped academic curiosity.
Tip 3: Treat Admissions Tutors as All-Knowing
One of the biggest mistakes applicants make is wasting precious space by defining terms (‘inflation is…’) or summarising textbooks. Imperial’s admissions tutors are experts; they don’t need you to teach them.
Instead, assume they know it all and focus on analysis and reflection. That means:
- Instead of writing, ‘I read Capital in the 21st Century, which is about inequality’, you should say, ‘Reading Piketty’s Capital in the 21st Century made me question how traditional economic models account for long-term wealth accumulation’.
- If you mention an essay competition, highlight the argument you made and why it mattered, not just the fact you entered.
- When referencing coding or data science, reflect on what you discovered about modelling assumptions, not just the language you used.
This shows tutors that you’re capable of independent thinking, not just consuming information.
Prepare for success with The Profs Admissions Test Tutors, who are dedicated to helping you ace your TMUA and secure a spot at EFDS course at Imperial.
Tip 4: Master Your Soft Skills for the Interview
Feedback from first-round candidates shows that EFDS interviews often start with motivational questions such as ‘Why Imperial?’ and ‘Why this course?’ One candidate reported discussing the correlation between coffee and health for 20 minutes, which was hardly what they’d prepared for.
This unpredictability is deliberate. Tutors want to see how you think on your feet, communicate clearly, and apply reasoning to unfamiliar contexts.
To prepare, you should:
- Practise answering motivational questions, but don’t memorise them word for word. Over-rehearsed answers sound insincere.
- Develop your ability to hold an academic conversation, perhaps by debating unusual topics with friends or joining a discussion society.
- Read widely outside the syllabus so you have a bank of ideas to draw on when conversations take unexpected turns.
- Work on communication basics such as confidence, eye contact (if online), and structuring answers logically under pressure.
Remember: Imperial isn’t just admitting mathematicians. They want collaborative, articulate thinkers who can thrive in seminar discussions and group projects.
Our Undergraduate Admissions Tutors will help you prepare strategically to ensure you stand out from the rest of the applicants. Simply contact us today to get your future at Imperial secured.
How The Profs Can Help You Secure Your Place at Imperial
With an expected acceptance rate of under 3%, Imperial’s EFDS course is set to be one of the most competitive undergraduate degrees in the UK. Even outstanding students will face rejection if their application lacks focus, coherence, or depth. That’s where expert guidance makes the difference.
At The Profs, we specialise in helping students turn strong academic profiles into successful applications. Our network includes former Imperial admissions tutors, industry professionals, and subject-matter experts who know exactly what this course is looking for.
Whether it’s developing a personal statement that connects economics, finance, and data science, preparing for the TMUA, or building the confidence to shine in interviews, our tutors work with you every step of the way.
The results speak for themselves. 84% of undergraduates who work with The Profs secure an offer from their first-choice university.* Work with our dedicated Tutors for Imperial College London Students and get personalised guidance on everything from admissions tests to interviews. Don’t just apply; give yourself the best chance of an offer
*Source: The Profs Client Feedback Survey 2025.
FAQ About How to get into Imperial for Economics, Finance & Data Science
What is the hardest course to get into at Imperial?
While Imperial is famous for selective courses like Medicine and Engineering, EFDS is projected to be the hardest of all, with fewer than three offers per 100 applicants. This is because it combines three highly in-demand disciplines; economics, finance, and data science in a single programme.
The course is designed to train students for jobs in areas like quantitative finance, fintech, and policy analysis, which are extremely competitive career paths.
Is Imperial better than LSE?
It depends on the lens you use. LSE has a long-established reputation as one of the world’s best social science universities, particularly in economics.
Imperial, on the other hand, has unparalleled strength in STEM, mathematics, and data science. For students interested in a career at the intersection of technology and finance, such as algorithmic trading, econometrics, or data-driven consulting Imperial’s EFDS offers a uniquely modern approach that many would argue is stronger than LSE’s traditional economics.
How hard is it to get into Imperial University?
Imperial is one of the toughest universities in the UK to gain admission to, with an overall acceptance rate of around 10–15%. But competition varies by subject.
Some Engineering programmes are closer to 20%, while EFDS is expected to be under 3%. That means even candidates with A*AA predictions and excellent super-curriculars may struggle. Imperial is looking for applicants who can demonstrate mathematical ability, originality in their personal statement, and confidence in interviews.
What kind of careers can EFDS graduates go into?
Graduates from Imperial’s EFDS programme will be prepared for some of the most competitive and lucrative careers in the world.
Likely destinations include quantitative finance (such as trading and risk analysis), consulting, data-driven policymaking, and fintech startups.
As the degree combines economics, finance, and data science, employers see it as proof of both mathematical rigour and practical business insight. Imperial’s location in London close to the City and Canary Wharf also gives graduates unrivalled networking and internship opportunities.
