[ipodcable]

Apart from the amount of maths in it.

I have heard many people (students and teachers) say how economics a-level is different to university level. I like reading about economics and enjoy going through economic discussions and textbooks, but hate the exams.

Tell me how its different at university

[Hebbamundo]

I'm not too sure, but I think A-Level Economics is 2 years whilst a degree in it takes 3 years. Other than that I don't think there's much of a difference.

[M1011]

I've done neither, but it would appear an Economics A-level isn't considered to be particularly challenging whereas the degree is up there amongst the most challenging popular subjects. So expect it to be a significant step up at University.

(Original post by Hebbamundo)
I'm not too sure, but I think A-Level Economics is 2 years whilst a degree in it takes 3 years. Other than that I don't think there's much of a difference.

This is possibly the most nonsensical answer I've ever seen on this forum.

[Jam']

You'll get a BA qualification at the end of an econ degree and an A Level qualification at the end of A Level Economics. That's the main difference ^^

[henriksebastian]

I didn't do A-level Economics but I.B. HL Economics... it might have been a bit more difficult (I.B. is generally seen as more rigorous). I still think I have an answer, though

I am the same as you -I enjoy the readings! In my course we saw lots of graphs, which I liked too. So the main difference IS the math. If you ask "apart from the math", then it's a weird question because math is the main difference. You're talking about Econometrics.

I'm a bit scared since I haven't been very good at math, so I hope you are, because that's what's going to be the difficult part. Econometrics and statistics is what takes Economics "further", from simple theory to application.

So basically: more math (calculus, optimization and linear regression mainly) and statistics (excel maybe) and a lot more work of course, lots of readings.

[Hebbamundo]

(Original post by Jam')
You'll get a BA qualification at the end of an econ degree and an A Level qualification at the end of A Level Economics. That's the main difference ^^

Finally, someone else with a sense of humour!

[Sternumator]

A level economics tries to answer big questions, after vaguely discussing the issue for a bit you end up either not knowing or guessing. At university they don't make any apologies for making assumptions, they will state assumptions, teach you a model and tell you what can be learnt from it. It makes the subject much more analytical but also more abstract so you can conclude a lot more stuff but the stuff isn't as obviously applicable to the real world. If you do AQA economics, my degree is like a much more complicated and harder version of section B on the exams but without the section C.

[.ACS.]

Well, you have highlighted the one main difference - the amount of maths used in university economics compared to the non-existent maths found in A-Level Economics.

Further, at A-Level the discipline is very discursive and in some respects political and applied (covering current events). At university, however, you study 'abstract' models without real concern for what's actually happening in the real world; you don't do case studies or apply the theoretical models to real-life examples. You can do this in your own time if you want, and it would be quite useful to be honest, but doesn't form part of the programme.

[Jedbrien]

(Original post by Sternumator)
A level economics tries to answer big questions, after vaguely discussing the issue for a bit you end up either not knowing or guessing. At university they don't make any apologies for making assumptions, they will state assumptions, teach you a model and tell you what can be learnt from it. It makes the subject much more analytical but also more abstract so you can conclude a lot more stuff but the stuff isn't as obviously applicable to the real world. If you do AQA economics, my degree is like a much more complicated and harder version of section B on the exams but without the section C.

you mean section A and B respectively don't you? From what i know AQA doesn't have a section C, only A and B

[Sternumator]

(Original post by Jedbrien)
you mean section A and B respectively don't you? From what i know AQA doesn't have a section C, only A and B

I just looked and it is the second part of the section A questions and the first part of section B. The 15 mark questions.