IF0MFE: Mathematics for Finance and Economics

Module code: IF0MFE

Module provider: Global Academy

Credits: 20

ECTS credits: 10

Level: F

When you’ll be taught: Semester 1

Module convenor: Miss Natalie Drake, email: n.drake@reading.ac.uk

Pre-requisite module(s): GCSE Mathematics (C) or equivalent (Open)

Co-requisite module(s): IN THE SAME YEAR AS TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST TAKE IF0QFE (Compulsory)

Pre-requisite or Co-requisite module(s):

Module(s) excluded: IN TAKING THIS MODULE YOU CANNOT TAKE IF0MS OR TAKE IF0MFEJ (Compulsory)

Placement information: NA

Academic year: 2026/7

Available to visiting students: No

Talis reading list: Yes

Last updated: 26 March 2026

Overview

Module aims and purpose

This module provides a solid foundation in key areas of mathematics to A-level standard, specifically designed to prepare students for the mathematical demands of undergraduate degree programmes in Finance and Economics. Through the development of techniques for analysing and solving a range of mathematical problems, students acquire core mathematical skills, enabling them to engage confidently with the mathematics required in the first year of their undergraduate studies. 

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to: 

1. accurately apply the techniques of algebra required for finding the solution of equations, differentiation, and integration of basic functions 
2. interpret a range of problems, selecting the appropriate procedure for solution  
3. use graphical techniques to explore mathematical situations and interpret solutions. 

Module content

This module introduces basic mathematical techniques to ensure that students can deal with arithmetic, basic algebra including linear and quadratic functions, inequalities and graphical analysis of supply and demand problems. Further topics include functions and mappings, including composite and inverse functions, exponentials and logarithms and the calculus needed for maximisation and minimisation with application to practical problems.  

In the second half of the semester, more topics of economic and business functions continue, followed by arithmetic and geometric progressions, which lead to savings and compound interest applications for business pathways. 

Structure

Teaching and learning methods

Teaching is delivered in person in the classroom with two 2-hour lectures and one 2-hour seminar each week. Lecture materials are available online prior to each session. 
   
Weekly optional drop-in hours for individual assistance are available as required.  

For students studying at our campus in Malaysia: This module may be taught in a different semester and the breakdown of study hours may differ to those set out in the Study Hours table (please refer to the Module Handbook for the correct breakdown). In addition, you will be required to complete an additional 40 hours of study, taking the total number of study hours to 240 for this module. This is to comply with the Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA). 

Study hours

At least 77 hours of scheduled teaching and learning activities will be delivered in person, with the remaining hours for scheduled and self-scheduled teaching and learning activities delivered either in person or online. You will receive further details about how these hours will be delivered before the start of the module.

Please note the independent study hours above are notional numbers of hours; each student will approach studying in different ways. We would advise you to reflect on your learning and the number of hours you are allocating to these tasks.

Semester 1 The hours in this column may include hours during the Christmas holiday period.

Semester 2 The hours in this column may include hours during the Easter holiday period.

Summer The hours in this column will take place during the summer holidays and may be at the start and/or end of the module.

Assessment

Requirements for a pass

Students need to achieve an overall module mark of 40% to pass this module.

Summative assessment

Penalties for late submission of summative assessment

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

Assessments with numerical marks

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each calendar day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of three calendar days;
• where the piece of work is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in you Individual Learning Plan), the mark awarded due to the imposition of the penalty shall not fall below the threshold pass mark, namely 40% in the case of modules at Levels 4-6 (i.e. undergraduate modules for Parts 1-3) and 50% in the case of Level 7 modules offered as part of an Integrated Masters or taught postgraduate degree programme;
• where the piece of work is awarded a mark below the threshold pass mark prior to any penalty being imposed, and is submitted up to three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan), no penalty shall be imposed;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a mark of zero will be recorded.

Assessments marked Pass/Fail

• where the piece of work is submitted within three calendar days of the deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): no penalty will be applied;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than three calendar days after the original deadline (or a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment indicated in your Individual Learning Plan): a grade of Fail will be awarded.

Where a piece of work is submitted late after a deadline which has been revised owing to an extension granted through the Assessment Adjustments policy and process (self-certified or otherwise), it will be subject to the maximum penalty (i.e., considered to be more than three calendar days late). This will also apply when such an extension is used in conjunction with a DAS-agreed extension as a reasonable adjustment.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/qap/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf

You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Formative assessment

Formative assessment is any task or activity which creates feedback (or feedforward) for you about your learning, but which does not contribute towards your overall module mark.

Regular tutorial classes on problems of the type encountered in examinations.  Optional drop-in sessions.

All summative pieces are given formative feedback to enhance their effectiveness.

A mock will be provided before each exam.

Reassessment

Additional costs