A-level grades and subject
The entry-requirements page states required grades of A*AA, which must include grade A in Mathematics. It also lists 'Required subjects: A-level (or equivalent) grade A in Mathematics'.
King's College London · Economics BSc · L100
Is KCL Economics right for you, and do your Mathematics and grades fit?
In our view, KCL Economics BSc is realistic only if you are, or will be, a strong Mathematics student: the official pages we read name Mathematics at grade A (A-level or equivalent) as a required subject, and the grade requirement is A*AA at A-level. Everything below is drawn from KCL wording that we treat as 2027-entry wording, because the course page shows 'Start date: September 2027'. We have not verified requirements for normal 2028 entry, so please recheck every point on the official course and entry-requirements pages before you act on it.
Facts at a glance
What KCL's pages say (2027-entry wording)
These points come from quoted excerpts of KCL's course and entry-requirements pages, read on 10 November 2026. They are not confirmed for 2028 entry; check the official pages for the current wording.
IB Diploma
38 points overall or an aggregate score of 19 from three Higher Levels, including grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation). The page says the total of 38 includes TOK/EE.
Contextual offers
KCL says it makes contextual offers for this programme and gives them in the entry requirements: AAB at A-level, or 35 points overall or an aggregate of 17 from three Higher Levels at IB. The extracts we read do not say here who qualifies, so check the official page.
Subjects and qualifications not counted
A-level General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted by King's as one of your A levels. KCL also states: 'We do not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process.'
English language
The page gives 'English language band: B'. The extracts we read do not explain the band, so check what it means on KCL's site.
Admissions test and interview
The extracts we read do not describe an admissions test or an interview for this course. Check the official pages for the current position.
Personal statement
KCL says your personal statement is one of the many factors in the overall assessment of your application.
Deferral
Deferred entry is requested by choosing the appropriate year of entry on the UCAS application. KCL says each post-offer deferral request is considered case by case and it reserves the right to decline.
Course
UCAS code L100; duration three years. The course develops analytical and critical skills through modules in economic theory, statistics, maths and econometrics. The year 1 Introduction to Economics module follows the CORE project, which uses real-world scenarios to teach economics.
Official sources
- King's College London: Economics BSc entry requirementskcl.ac.uk
- King's College London: Economics BSc (undergraduate course page)kcl.ac.uk
Source cycle: 2027 entry (course page: 'Start date: September 2027'; the entry-requirements page carries no entry-year label of its own). Not verified for normal 2028 entry. Confirm every requirement on KCL's official pages.
The decision
Who should seriously consider this course
What the official pages say: the course is taught through modules in economic theory, statistics, maths and econometrics, and Mathematics at grade A is a required subject. Avandy judgement (our interpretation, not a KCL statement; basis: the module list and the Mathematics requirement above): this is a course for students who are comfortable with quantitative work and want it to be central to their degree, rather than students attracted mainly by economics as a discussion subject. If you enjoy Mathematics and want to apply it to real-world questions, the course description and the CORE-based first-year module point in that direction. If Mathematics is your weakest subject, the course and its entry requirement are likely to be a poor fit, whatever your other grades.
Grades
Reading the grade and Mathematics requirements
What the official pages say: for A-level, required grades are A*AA, and these must include grade A in Mathematics. For the IB, the page gives 38 points overall (including TOK/EE) or an aggregate of 19 from three Higher Levels, including grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics, either Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation. The contextual figures (AAB at A-level; 35 points or an aggregate of 17 at IB) are stated as KCL's contextual offers; the extracts we read do not say who they apply to, so do not assume you qualify.
A-level route
The A* is not tied to a particular subject in the extracts we read, but the A in Mathematics is. Check the official page for how the grades must combine.
IB route
Two routes are stated: 38 points overall, or 19 from three Higher Levels. Higher Level Mathematics at grade 6 is stated as part of the requirement. Check on the official page how the aggregate route works.
Subjects that will not count
General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are not accepted as one of your A levels, and the EPQ is not considered. Avandy judgement: do not let either of these stand in for a substantive subject in your plans.
Avandy judgement
What the Mathematics requirement means for your planning
Avandy judgement (interpretation, not an official rule; basis: the stated Mathematics requirements). Treat Mathematics as the first thing to check, before the overall grade profile. Because the subject grade is stated separately from the overall grades, a strong profile elsewhere does not appear to offset a weak Mathematics result. The realistic risks we would flag are, first, a Mathematics grade that is currently below A in your predicted or mock results, and second, for IB students, the choice of Mathematics route and level: the page names Higher Level Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation, so a student on Standard Level Mathematics should ask KCL directly before relying on that choice. If you are still choosing subjects, taking Mathematics at A-level or IB Higher Level is the safest reading of the page.
Selection
How selection works, and what the pages do not tell us
The extracts we read describe grades, required subjects and the personal statement as one of many factors in the overall assessment. The extracts we read do not describe an admissions test or an interview for this course, and do not give an acceptance rate. Avandy judgement: since the personal statement is only one factor and the formal conditions are mainly about Mathematics and grades, the most useful preparation is securing the Mathematics result and then writing a statement that shows genuine interest in economics. Recheck the official pages for any selection step added or changed for your entry year.
Flexibility
Resits, deferral and transfer
KCL says it is able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications; the extracts we read do not go further, so ask KCL how that applies to your circumstances. For a gap year, choose the appropriate year of entry on UCAS; KCL says post-offer deferral requests are considered case by case and may be declined, so Avandy judgement is that you should not plan a year out around a post-offer request being granted. Transfers into this programme are not permitted, so a plan of starting elsewhere and moving across is not available on the wording we read.
Next steps
A sequence for deciding
Avandy judgement on order of work, based on the facts above:
1. Check your Mathematics
Compare your current and predicted Mathematics result with grade A (A-level) or grade 6 at Higher Level (IB).
2. Check the rest of the profile
Compare your overall predictions with A*AA or the IB figures, and check that none of your subjects is among those not accepted.
3. Check English language band B
Find out on KCL's site what band B means for your qualifications.
4. Recheck the official pages for 2028
Everything here is 2027-entry wording. Confirm each point before you finalise your UCAS choices.
5. Decide on timing
If you are considering deferral, choose the year of entry on UCAS rather than relying on a later request.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Are these requirements confirmed for 2028 entry?
No. The wording comes from KCL pages showing a September 2027 start date, and we have not verified requirements for normal 2028 entry. Please recheck every point on the official pages.
Do I need Mathematics?
The entry-requirements page lists a required subject of A-level (or equivalent) grade A in Mathematics, and for the IB, grade 6 in Higher Level Mathematics (Analysis & Approaches or Applications & Interpretation).
Is there an admissions test or an interview?
The extracts we read do not describe either for this course. Check KCL's official pages for your entry year.
Does the EPQ help?
KCL states that it does not consider the EPQ at any point of the assessment process. General Studies, Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills and Global Perspectives are also not accepted as one of your A levels.
Can I apply if I am retaking my exams?
KCL says it is able to consider applicants who have retaken or are retaking their qualifications. The extracts we read say nothing further, so ask KCL about your case.
Can I defer or transfer in later?
Deferred entry is requested by choosing the year of entry on UCAS; post-offer deferral is case by case and KCL may decline. Transfers into this programme are not permitted.
Students and families
Talk through your fit before you apply
Avandy offers admissions consultation and interview support. We can help you check your Mathematics position against KCL's stated requirements and plan your next steps; we cannot guarantee any outcome.