Accounting or PPE HELP!!

I'm currently finishing my first year of 6th form.

I'm Studying:
Maths
Economics
Gov & politics
Sociology

Just like any other sane person, I want to succeed and at the same time do something I enjoy. My heart is set on a career in the financial industry i.e Accountancy, consultancy, IB. I've narrowed my uni options down to two main subjects: Accounting and Economics. I'm open to any combination that is interesting and challenging. I was thinking Accounting and Finance or PPE.

I am very interested in:
economics, arabic, politics, philosophy, islamic studies, physics...

I just need a nudge in the right direction. Any help is welcome, THANKS :biggrin:

Reply 1

Yeethoven

Original post by gabyaye

Asslama'ailakum :smile:

.
As someone who has similar aspirations, IB in particular and just got accepted to Warwick, I will help you to understand clearly what to do here.

Firstly, I would advice you to drop Sociology, seen as less "academic" as the others. Furthermore, Accountancy AND Finance is a degree offered by many unis, and has generally MUCH lower grade requirements than PPE.

If you care about prestige of degree, than PPE is arguably the most out of any degree; most unis ask for a*aa, warwick,york,durham. However, it is MUCH more competitive than a and f, and so unless you are predicted at least A*aa, with strong gcses, I would not advice it.

Lastly, perhaps the most important, are the proffesions you want to do.
For IB and Consultancy (MBB), WHERE you study is MUCH more vital than the degree you do. Last year, whilst not exact numbers, 80% of IB grads came from the target 6. These are Oxbridge,LSE,Warwick,UCL,Imperial, in that order.

Fo management cosultancy, I would seriously advise Oxbridge or nothing. After having spoken to many people, you should undersand that Mck,Bain and bcg only have a few vacancies, and so nearly everyone there is from Oxbridge.

Accountacy is so much more accepting, and is generally where people apply if IB was a failure for them. Any top 30 uni is fine for that career.
Going back to IB, as I said, uni is more vital tha degree. A and F and PPE are both fine, but if you really want to be in the top 6 unis (LSE,Warwick do and f), then I would say go for a anf, less competition.

See your as results first, then who knows, I may see you at Warwick in two years :smile:

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 2

gabyaye

Wa Alaykum Salaam.
Given the status of Warwick, it would definately be a possible destination for me if I get the grades. And I agree that the prestige of a degree or uni can take you very far in anything. Atm I think I'm edging more towards PPE due to the knowledge I believe it can provide me. I am definately dropping Sociology this year. Do you think an AS level in Further maths would give me an advantage?

Reply 3

Yeethoven

Original post by gabyaye

Haha, I only guessed you were Muslim from your subject interests :smile:

Well thats fine. Hmm, to be honest not as much as you think. For instance, will you apply to LSE/UCL for pol and econ or phil and econ only? If you choose one of those, which are heavily quant, I would defo recommend doing AS FM next year, AS LONG as it doesnt impact your chances of AAA at least in the other three.

What were your GCSE grades if you dont mind me asking? And which unis would you be looking at?

Reply 4

Cmca1

Original post by gabyaye

Hi,

Don't get too worried because either would be a good option. If you are unhappy after graduating plenty of oppportunities will exist to study at postgrad level or to specialise in different areas. Plenty of people from both courses go on to train or study further.

Firstly, PPE is a very diverse subject and a good classification from a good university will open up plenty of career opportunities for you in the future. Lots of people who study PPE go on to do postgrad. study, specifically in one of the three disciplines or use their degree to venture down new paths such as law etc. The same can be said about doing PPE and then later studying Accounting or Economics at postgrad. This won't be a problem if during your PPE degree you take more of your modules in years 2 and 3 in Economics.

If you study Accounting as a primary degree however, I think your pretty much limited to studying Finance, Business or Economics related subjects beyond your Accounting degree. Therefore, studying something like PPE after accounting, unless you actually study a second undergraduate course, wouldnt be too likely.

Go with whatever your instinct tells you to do because that's what you'll feel happiest and most comfortable with. Hope the above makes some sense.

Good luck.

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 5

gabyaye

Original post by Warlord

Haha, I only guessed you were Muslim from your subject interests :smile:

I got 2A*s 4As and 5Bs.
I don't think it would, but knowing myself, I don't want to risk it. I forgot to mention that I was also considering the Government and Economics degree at LSE but hesitate to pursue it because I don't think it can shoot me into a career in finance neither does it have the prestige that PPE boasts. But am I wrong? And if so why?

(edited 12 years ago)

Reply 6

gabyaye

Original post by Cmca1

Thank you. Great advice. Seems very logical. Ultimately I would like to complete my education with an MBA or an MSc/MA in Economics.

Reply 7

Yeethoven

Original post by gabyaye

You want IB? Do any course at LSE essentialy, it gets a ridiculous number of people in IB. No it will not deter you at all, bar ppe at oxford, and i probably on par wth warwick ppe. Thats it. Your gcses are good, however I know someone in my yearwth 9A* and averagd 97% at as level who got rejected last month. Ofc, if your ps is good, then go for it.

Remeber, ANY COURSE AT LSE and oxbridge will get you an interview. After that, you are on a level playing field; you have to impress at the interview.

Reply 8

gabyaye

Original post by Warlord

Thanks. If I get the grades (A*AA) I will most certainly apply for PPE: Oxford, Warwick, Royal Holloway, East Anglia, Essex. (Possibly Government & Economics at LSE). But if I dont (minimum AAB) I will go for A&F. LSE is definitely out of the question with those grades and I dont think I will study A&F if I didnt want to be an accountant. But unis such as Brunel and Essex should give me enough leverage if I get a 2:1. Again, thanks for the advice.