Economics or Engineering degree

This is my goal, but apparently it's much easier to go into IB after graduating from UCL (or Oxbridge, LSE, Imperial, Warwick) than from Bristol or other RG unis.

I know Economics seems like a really interesting degree and it truly is. But be realistic in terms of expectations when it comes to job prospects. Nobody can convince me that an Economics degree offers more opportunities than Engineering... You will end up in finance/sales/banking/other generic corporate jobs, where a degree in Actuarial Science/Accounting/Finance would be far more competitive. The courses I listed are far more practically oriented whereas Economics tends to be more philosophical - do not expect to practice the majority of things you study, especially the more interesting concepts.

You can not go wrong with Engineering. Society will always be in need of scientists and engineers. Chances are you will be paid more and do something, which actually benefits the rest of society.

Hey guys, basically I have an offer for an Economics course at a decent uni (Russel group, not Oxbridge or London) but I'm a bit concerned about the job prospects of an Economics degree.

I've been thinking about reapplying next year to an Engineering degree instead (probably Mechanical Engineering) because the job prospects are so much better, and also the grade requirements seem to be lower than economics so it would be possible for me to go to a better university.

However, I'm only doing Maths A Level at the moment, not Physics. I would have to do Physics in the gap year while reapplying.

I really enjoy Economics, but I feel like in the future I will regret not choosing Engineering.

Any opinions or advice?

No need to push a man into something he's not 100% interested in..

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I know Economics seems like a really interesting degree and it truly is. But be realistic in terms of expectations when it comes to job prospects. Nobody can convince me that an Economics degree offers more opportunities than Engineering... You will end up in finance/sales/banking/other generic corporate jobs, where a degree in Actuarial Science/Accounting/Finance would be far more competitive. The courses I listed are far more practically oriented whereas Economics tends to be more philosophical - do not expect to practice the majority of things you study, especially the more interesting concepts.

You can not go wrong with Engineering. Society will always be in need of scientists and engineers. Chances are you will be paid more and do something, which actually benefits the rest of society.

You could opt for a foundation year in clearing?

Lol Bristol Econ is not bad, its definitely possible to get any job even IB from Bristol.

Isn't clearing generally for lower-tier universities/degrees?

I always thought an Economics degree was better than Accounting and Finance degrees?

Do you think its worth me taking a gap year to reapply to Engineering degrees?

I'm not saying it's bad but it's just that I see so many posts on TSR about how the only way to get into IB or similar high paying jobs is through Oxbridge or London

You already said that IB is your goal. Only go for a degree in Engineering if you find it interesting and is definitely something you want to do.

It sounds to me that you do not really know what you want to do? Is IB something that interests you and do you definitely want to work in that sector? Then apply the same question to Engineering.

That's not true, I have multiple friends with confirmed jobs in IB and they are at St Andrews.

A company is not going to limit its talent pool by only taking students from some of the best students at the best universities.

I'm talking about averages. For example, in theory, do you think someone would be more likely to get a job in IB with an Economics degree from Bristol or a Mechanical Engineering with Business Finance degree from UCL (all other factors being equal).

I don't really know what I want to do, that's the point of this thread.

I want to get a good paying job after university, whether that be IB or something else. So I'm trying to decide whether to pursue Economics at Bristol or try for an Engineering degree next year perhaps at somewhere like UCL. I am interested in both economics and engineering.

Probably slight edge to UCL mainly because UCL is in London making it easier for you to network. However, I don't think its worth a year of your life to do so.

Since Engineering is not even UCL's strength, I would probably regard an Econ degree from Bristol as more prestigious than a Mech Eng with Business Finance degree from UCL. Bristol is an upper RG uni, when I first read the article, I was thinking you were going to do Econ at Sheffield or Liverpool, not Bristol.

What we are talking about is literally a difference that isn't there. Certainly not worth a year of your life, a year of salary etc.

You mentioned you want to go into IB and already have an offer for economics from a good university. I would say you go with that, considering the fact that you feel pretty much the same way about both economics and engineering.

Go for a gap year only if your mind is 100% set on doing Engineering. Economics and Engineering could not get any more different as subjects. Engineering is a lot more demanding - if you are not passionate about it you might end up hating it and not getting anywhere.

Thanks for the advice from both you guys