A concentration chosen in the Open Curriculum
Brown says undergraduates sample courses before choosing one of 80-plus concentrations, and there is no required core. The pages read describe no separate application to Economics.
Undergraduate · Brown University
Brown Economics: eleven credits, two tracks and a maths floor A levels can meet
Brown does not admit applicants to Economics. They apply to the university and choose a concentration within the Open Curriculum. The Bulletin describes a standard Economics concentration of eleven credits, with an optional Business Economics track and a Public Policy track, plus three joint concentrations administered with other departments. A detail that matters to UK applicants is that qualifying A-level or IB scores can satisfy the mathematics requirement and can place a student out of the introductory course.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Brown says about Brown Economics
Taken from the Brown Bulletin entry for the Economics concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Brown's pages for the 2028-entry details.
Eleven credits
The standard concentration lists eleven credits, starting from ECON 0110.
Optional tracks
The standard concentration has an optional Business Economics track and a Public Policy track.
A levels can help
Qualifying A-level or IB scores can satisfy the maths requirement and place out of ECON 0110.
The SAT or ACT is required
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score; international applicants should plan to sit A levels or the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Official sources
- Brown University: Open Curriculumbrown.edu
- Brown Bulletin: Economics concentrationbulletin.brown.edu
- Brown Undergraduate Admission: Standardized Testsadmission.brown.edu
Read on 2 November 2026 on the Brown Bulletin entry for the Economics concentration and Brown's Open Curriculum, Standardized Tests and international Admission Criteria pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Brown's department website, the course descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The concentration
What the Bulletin says the Economics concentration is
The Bulletin describes economics as the study of how individuals, businesses and governments allocate resources. The standard concentration begins with the introductory course and then needs a mathematics requirement, intermediate microeconomics and macroeconomics, econometrics, an applied research methods or mathematical econometrics course and at least five additional 1000-level economics courses, eleven credits in all. Qualifying A-level or IB scores can satisfy the mathematics requirement, though not the maths department's self-placement exam.
Is it the right concentration?
Economics beside Applied Mathematics-Economics and Computer Science-Economics
Brown lists these concentrations separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Economics fits if
you want economics as the main body of study, with an optional business or public policy track.
Applied Mathematics-Economics fits if
you want a more quantitative joint route. Avandy's Brown Applied Mathematics-Economics guide covers it.
Computer Science-Economics fits if
you want computation and economics together. Avandy's Brown Computer Science-Economics guide covers it.
Admission and testing
A Brown application, an SAT or ACT and A levels or the IB
Brown has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants and says there are no minimum scores. International applicants should plan to sit national and international examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores, with actual scores expected before matriculation. The concentration is not a separate application. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Brown's.
Which track suits you?
The Business Economics and Public Policy tracks are optional parts of the standard concentration.
Could your A levels cover the maths requirement?
The Bulletin says qualifying A-level or IB scores can satisfy it.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB?
Brown requires scores for first-year applicants and sets no minimum score.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Brown's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Brown's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Brown has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Brown for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the Economics entry in the Brown Bulletin and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Brown University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Brown University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Brown Economics?
The pages read describe admission to Brown. Students develop a personalised course of study and choose a concentration in the Open Curriculum.
Can A levels count towards the Economics concentration?
The Bulletin says students can satisfy the mathematics requirement with qualifying scores on AP, IB or A-level exams, and can place out of ECON 0110 on such scores, taking an additional 1000-level course instead.
How many credits does the standard concentration need?
The standard Economics concentration totals eleven credits.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Brown says it has returned to requiring SAT or ACT scores for first-year applicants, with no minimum score.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Brown tells international applicants to plan to sit examinations such as the GCE A-levels and the IB and submit predicted or actual scores.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Brown's wording with no entry-year label. Check Brown's pages again when Brown publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Brown Economics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, which Economics option appeals, whether A levels or the IB may cover the mathematics requirement and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.