[wwelol]

(Original post by funkydee)
i would insult your idiocy but i just cba.......

y
these bankers have ruined the economy

[Theoneoranro]

(Original post by hellomoto170)
Title maybe isn't the best. Basically, I'm currently doing my A levels and really want to study Economics. My parents really want me to study medicine but their only reason for this is because they worry I may struggle to find a job, will be more likely to lose my job in the future etc doing economics (typical parental worrying things).
I'll be honest though, I really don't know anything about this... I understand at a basic level how it could be risky, for example bankers losing their jobs when the economy is bad etc, but if you have an economics degree from say, a top 5 uni, is it still risky or are you sure to find some decent opportunities?
OBVIOUSLY no one can guarantee I'll get a good job with a 100k salary, but I'm just wondering if anyone could perhaps explain to me the risks a little bit, and whether it is exaggerated or a genuine issue.
Assuming I get my predicted grades at AS, I hope to apply to places such as LSE, UCL, Warwick, Durham, Bath etc, so I am looking at top 5-10 unis.

Just to emphasise once again, I know virtually all jobs have risks, I'm just after some opinions and any relevant info people may have. I don't claim to be an expert on any of this, just looking for some advice. Thanks

I know a bloke who got a 1st in economics in a really good uni who is now sitting at home unemployed.

[funkydee]

(Original post by Theoneoranro)
I know a bloke who got a 1st in economics in a really good uni who is now sitting at home unemployed.

uni?

1 unemployed economist must mean all econ grads are unemployed

[funkydee]

(Original post by wwelol)
y
these bankers have ruined the economy

(Original post by wwelol)
i choose medicine b/c i want to save lives and i did not choose econ b/c i dontt wanna ruin the economy

what does studying economics at university have to do with ruining the economy



but please, go on and tell me how bankers ruined the economy... in your own words/understanding

[Theoneoranro]

(Original post by funkydee)
uni?

1 unemployed economist must mean all econ grads are unemployed

Manchester uni. My sister also knows some people who did an economics degree and are now unemployed.

[funkydee]

(Original post by Theoneoranro)
Manchester uni. My sister also knows some people who did an economics degree and are now unemployed.

lol for econ manchester isn't even top 10.

they'd have probably had a better opportunities with a 2.1 from say Camb. LSE, UCL etc

but im sure there's manc econ grads who find jobs just fine. a CV isnt just a uni name and degree

[wwelol]

(Original post by funkydee)
what does studying economics at university have to do with ruining the economy



but please, go on and tell me how bankers ruined the economy... in your own words/understanding

ok giving loans to those with poor credit histories etc
and then these bankers get to choose the amount of there own bonuses millions and millions which could have been ploughed into the economy to create jobs in banks etc
creating a cartel to fix intrest rates

yh i exagerated when i said to study economics will ruin the economy

i rather study medicine over econ

[hellomoto170]

(Original post by funkydee)
what are your gcse's like anyway?



lol you obv dont know much about higher ed econ... firstly there'll be maths wherever you go.

I'd take FM AS up next year if i was you...

LSE L101 without any FM is just lol

your A* in biology thing was also a logic fail...



there's a reason people say this all the time.

the econ undergrad tutor said to us at the offer holder day,

if you dont feel comfortable with maths then LSE isnt the place for you.. (this was to econ students)

I got 6 A*'s and 5 A's at GCSE, not amazing when you consider lots of people get 12 A*'s etc but I was pretty proud of that considering it was the highest in my school (I go to a state school not grammar)
I know there'll be maths... I'm not stupid. My point is, someone who A*'s normal maths is clearly very good at maths and isn't going to struggle necessarily just because he doesn't have FM. I'm confident if I had done FM I could have gotten an A or A*, I just preferred to do a science at the time to keep my options open.
Why is my biology thing a logic fail? You've not justified that at all.
Lastly, yes if you struggle with maths then econ at LSE is not for you... But again you make the silly assumption that I (or anyone in my position) will somehow struggle because they didn't take FM.
In fact I would argue that most people who A* regular maths who didn't attempt FM only didn't do so because they didn't want to have two maths subjects as it limits them. Not because they struggle with maths.

(Original post by AH95)
Its like looking in a mirror

I had exatly the same dilema with my parents, and still do... I accidently buckled under the presure from them and took Chemistry instead of Economics, and so am in a bit of a pickle Consider yourself lucky you actually took economics at your AS levels! I took geography (and dont regret it).

statistically, I think having an economics degree is right at the top in terms of graduate prospects, and is 3rd in the list after medecine and dentistry if Im not mistaken?

Are you of Indian origin by any chance? Im just asking because I am, and its almost become a stereotype that all indian parents want children in medicine (or engineering), and thats true from my experience...

Nope, I'm actually Turkish
Fair enough, would be interesting to compare the average starting salaries of someone who graduates with an econ degree in a top 5-10 uni and someone who studies medicine and dentistry.

[printergirl]

(Original post by hellomoto170)
I got 6 A*'s and 5 A's at GCSE, not amazing when you consider lots of people get 12 A*'s etc but I was pretty proud of that considering it was the highest in my school (I go to a state school not grammar)
I know there'll be maths... I'm not stupid. My point is, someone who A*'s normal maths is clearly very good at maths and isn't going to struggle necessarily just because he doesn't have FM. I'm confident if I had done FM I could have gotten an A or A*, I just preferred to do a science at the time to keep my options open.
Why is my biology thing a logic fail? You've not justified that at all.
Lastly, yes if you struggle with maths then econ at LSE is not for you... But again you make the silly assumption that I (or anyone in my position) will somehow struggle because they didn't take FM.
In fact I would argue that most people who A* regular maths who didn't attempt FM only didn't do so because they didn't want to have two maths subjects as it limits them. Not because they struggle with maths.



Nope, I'm actually Turkish
Fair enough, would be interesting to compare the average starting salaries of someone who graduates with an econ degree in a top 5-10 uni and someone who studies medicine and dentistry.

Maths and further maths r different. Doin both shows in addition to 2 other a levels shows persistence and time management

Don't base economics at a level to university especially since you'll be goin for top ones which r very maths intensive

Also apply for a degree you think you'll enjoy. If your good enough you'll get a job


Edit
If ur applying for uni this October time and still enter no it isn't a good sign. Its not like economics and medicine is similar in anyway

[Theafricanlegend]

(Original post by Colmans)
If you have no Fm your chances of LSE or UCL or Cambridge for economics are quite slim. I think the employment prospects for numerate economists are as good as medicine nowadays. Really you should do a subject you want to study for three years or more like six for medicine.


This was posted from The Student Room's iPhone/iPad App

Second bit is not true. Medicine has a 100percent graduate prospects where as economics has 90 to high 80s: check the completeuniversityguide.

It is definitely not as good.

[WayneCorp]

(Original post by Theafricanlegend)
Second bit is not true. Medicine has a 100percent graduate prospects where as economics has 90 to high 80s: check the completeuniversityguide.

It is definitely not as good.

Don't think too much of those numbers. What he meant was a 2:1 in a top 7/8 uni for Economics will definitely give you a very good job.

Of course, there's no comparison with Medicine because it is subsidised and directly leads to the profession. But Economics compared to most other degrees, has high graduate prospects.

[Theafricanlegend]

(Original post by WayneCorp)
Don't think too much of those numbers. What he meant was a 2:1 in a top 7/8 uni for Economics will definitely give you a very good job.

Of course, there's no comparison with Medicine because it is subsidised and directly leads to the profession. But Economics compared to most other degrees, has high graduate prospects.

Yeah i guess, along with chem eng and co

[funkydee]

(Original post by wwelol)
X

Economics doesn't equal banker... But a large proportion do become them

Well they wernt forcing people to take loans. The banks don't benefit if they give money to people who can't pay back...

If they needed new jobs they'd open them up as they'd be able to increase their profits.

Its a multi billion company, if the guys at the top weren't making millions it wouldn't make sense. Ceo's of FTSE100 companies would be taking in millions in bonuses aswell

Had you even heard of LIBOR before the news?

You seem to be one of those guys who just take in what the media say as religion

[funkydee]

(Original post by hellomoto170)
X

Someone who got an A* in gcse maths probs would be able to get an A/A* in maths but if they didn't take the A-level who cares?

All 3000 applicants for econ should be able to get an A* in Maths as LSE ask for it. There's a surplus of qualified candidates. Everyone applying will be "good" at maths.

But if you did full FM you'll know that FP2 makes C3/C4 look like childs play. You learn some new stuff which could come in hand and become

Look at the applicants page. Pretty much everyone has 4A2's. Maths, FM and two other subjects. That's enough breath.

http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/wiki...age_2012_Entry

I don't see the point of this. I'm telling it to you as it, as someone who holds an offer for Economics at LSE.

If you took up FMaths AS next year then your chances at Camb, LSE, UCL are improved

[banterr]

i personally don't think taking up FM now will improve your chances. anyone can say they will do it and everyone will just look the same (considering the results you get aren't taken into account for your offer)

if anything it puts you in a worse position. the modules require a lot of revision so this may mean you do worse in your other subjects and don't end up meeting your offer, provided you get one.

[ThatRandomGuy]

All the top universites that have a 'preferred subjects' list will have FM right at the top, along with physics. LSE and Bath are two just off the top of my head.

If I'm being honest Biology won't really help you at all if you're applying for economics. It isn't very numerical and neither is it essay based.

[wwelol]

(Original post by funkydee)
Economics doesn't equal banker... But a large proportion do become them

Well they wernt forcing people to take loans. The banks don't benefit if they give money to people who can't pay back...

If they needed new jobs they'd open them up as they'd be able to increase their profits.

Its a multi billion company, if the guys at the top weren't making millions it wouldn't make sense. Ceo's of FTSE100 companies would be taking in millions in bonuses aswell

Had you even heard of LIBOR before the news?

You seem to be one of those guys who just take in what the media say as religion

ure last point is right - yes bout muslims etc

but senior bankers in 2011 get to chose whatever bonus they wanted im just saying thats not fair
im studing economics
do u?

[Theoneoranro]

(Original post by funkydee)
lol for econ manchester isn't even top 10.

they'd have probably had a better opportunities with a 2.1 from say Camb. LSE, UCL etc

but im sure there's manc econ grads who find jobs just fine. a CV isnt just a uni name and degree

Law & Economics are overrated, they were good not long ago but now it's not worth it. Neither is Pharmacy. Maybe it will get better if we get out of this economic mess though.

[wallstreettrader]

Don't study Economics. Study Computer Science or Medicine.

This is coming from someone whose studied Economics from a top 10 uk uni and done a 12 month off cycle in global markets at a BB IB.

[WayneCorp]

(Original post by wallstreettrader)
Don't study Economics. Study Computer Science or Medicine.

This is coming from someone whose studied Economics from a top 10 uk uni and done a 12 month off cycle in global markets at a BB IB.

Explain.