[Sholto]

I have just received my examination results and it looks like I have met the conditions of my economics offer. I am a little unsure about the usefulness and value of an economics degree. Can someone convince me that I am making the right decision in accepting?

[squeakysquirrel]

(Original post by Sholto)
I have just received my examination results and it looks like I have met the conditions of my economics offer. I am a little unsure about the usefulness and value of an economics degree. Can someone convince me that I am making the right decision in accepting?

For which university?

[Sholto]

(Original post by squeakysquirrel)
For which university?

LSE

[nash_4_lyf]

Firstly LSE offered you a place to study economics, you'd be a fool to turn it down. My dad studied there and now he works in corporate finance and is really doing well. He said the only downside, is the stress, but that comes with any job.

As for having doubts about the degree itself, you shouldnt. Economics is one of the more prestigious degrees studied to this day, with career prospects soaring through the roof. Nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of economic graduates from 2002 were in employment six months after graduation

As well as career prospects you'll develop a wide range of useful skills@

•Abstract and simplify in order to identify and model the essence of a problem
•Analyse and reason – both deductively and inductively
•Marshal evidence and to assimilate, structure and analyse qualitative and quantitative data
•Communicate concisely results to a wide audience, including those with no training in Economics
•Think critically about the limits of one’s analysis in a broader socio-economic context
•Draw economic policy inferences and to recognise the potential constraints in their implementation
•Apply literary and information-processing skills, as well as interpersonal skills

So, please go for it and dont look back.

[gemnomnom]

(Original post by Sholto)
LSE

Yes, just yes...

[squeakysquirrel]

(Original post by nash_4_lyf)
Firstly LSE offered you a place to study economics, you'd be a fool to turn it down. My dad studied there and now he works in corporate finance and is really doing well. He said the only downside, is the stress, but that comes with any job.

As for having doubts about the degree itself, you shouldnt. Economics is one of the more prestigious degrees studied to this day, with career prospects soaring through the roof. Nearly two-thirds (63.9%) of economic graduates from 2002 were in employment six months after graduation

As well as career prospects you'll develop a wide range of useful skills@

•Abstract and simplify in order to identify and model the essence of a problem
•Analyse and reason – both deductively and inductively
•Marshal evidence and to assimilate, structure and analyse qualitative and quantitative data
•Communicate concisely results to a wide audience, including those with no training in Economics
•Think critically about the limits of one’s analysis in a broader socio-economic context
•Draw economic policy inferences and to recognise the potential constraints in their implementation
•Apply literary and information-processing skills, as well as interpersonal skills

So, please go for it and dont look back.

Could not agree more - my husband had a place at LSE and turned it down to go to Aberystwyth - biggest regret of his life.

So to the OP - just go and enjoy it. It will be hard but to be honest - it is a degree from LSE - one of the best unis in the world

[Zürich]

(Original post by Sholto)
I have just received my examination results and it looks like I have met the conditions of my economics offer. I am a little unsure about the usefulness and value of an economics degree. Can someone convince me that I am making the right decision in accepting?

Really depends on what you wan't from a degree. You'll be extremely employable with and LSE Econ degree and from an academic point of view LSE Econ is in the top 3 in Europe(arguably the top Economics department)

[Swayum]

(Original post by Sholto)
I am a little unsure about the usefulness and value of an economics degree.

Depends what you're looking for.

A job? You'll get it if you do well in the course and jump through the hoops of what recruiters look for.

To go into academia? Definitely an option.

To understand real economics? Debateable. You'll probably graduate from LSE more confused about economics than when going in. 90% of it will be pretty abstract and difficult to apply to what you might read casually in a newspaper. I guess the idea is that you're taught the framework of formally analysing issues of real life, but actually going and thinking about real life is left to you.

To pick up skills? You can choose modules to develop mathematical/statistical skills. You will not develop any real computer skills. You will develop a new way of thinking that I suppose is transferable to virtually anything.

In terms of value, with the new tuition fees probably most undergrad degrees are overpriced, but amongst them LSE Economics is definitely one of the best options.