Economics - LSE/UCL/ Imperial

If your school offers FM and you don't take it, you will be non-competitive for LSE.

I suspect the same would apply to Imperial, although Imperial is completely untested for economics as it has never had an economics department before and only just started offering a course incorporating economics at undergraduate level.

UCL would probably prefer FM, although I don't know too much about their programme.

Doing your A-levels over 4 years, and taking the same A-levels rather than starting a "fresh" set may also be an issue although dependent on your extenuating circumstances that may ameliorate that issue somewhat.

In 2020 I took Bio, Chem and English. When I redid year 12 (due to family issues), I took English, geo and econ, and moved on to year 13. However, I am restarting yr 13 due to severe health issues. I am deciding to pick up maths before the start of year 13. My school do offer further maths however I had never even considered maths before this year, let alone further maths. I am only doing maths to stay in London. Are my chances really that slim, despite already doing maths?

LSE state explicitly for their single honours economics course that they expect those whose schools offer FM to take it if available. For joint honours courses with less quantitative subjects (e.g. economics and economic history, economics and politics, economics and philosophy, etc) though this is less essential I understand.

UCL is just an assumption on the basis that being based in London, generally well regarded, and offering economics, it almost certainly will get a huge number of applications just due to the combination of London and perceived prestige (neither of which are really that important in general), and thus FM is an easy way to gauge those who will do well with the mathematical aspects of the course (noting that they do have options in proper analysis for economists there as well, so it can be a quite mathematical course). I imagine like with LSE though that joint honours courses with non-quantitative subjects (e.g. economics and geography, PPE/HPE/etc) may be less concerned about FM.

As the course is so new at Imperial it's impossible to say with certainty although given its a STEM specialist uni I imagine at least it will have a lot of applicants taking FM already.

Note there are quite a few other universities in London that offer economics where FM is much less likely to be a factor, e.g. QMUL, SOAS, etc.

Hey everyone. I am currently going into year 13, studying Maths, Econ, English and Geography. I intend to pursue an economics degree at a top London university, however, I am not taking A-level further maths. What are my chances of being offered a place without A-level further maths?

Just for some extra context, I was originally studying English, Econ and Geo. I decided to take A-level Maths this year as it is a requirement to study Econ in London. I’ve had to redo years 12 and 13 due to severe extenuating circumstances regarding my health and family issues. Do you think my chances are slim?

GCSEs results are as follows: one 9, four 8s, three 7s, once 5 and 6

Predicted grades - A* A* A A

In 2020 I took Bio, Chem and English. When I redid year 12 (due to family issues), I took English, geo and econ, and moved on to year 13. However, I am restarting yr 13 due to severe health issues. I am deciding to pick up maths before the start of year 13. My school do offer further maths however I had never even considered maths before this year, let alone further maths. I am only doing maths to stay in London. Are my chances really that slim, despite already doing maths?

Thank you.

LSE really want further maths. What do the other two say?

not sure, hence the thread. Are my chances of getting an offer from LSE really that slim?

not sure, hence the thread. Are my chances of getting an offer from LSE really that slim?

Do you think it’s worth applying?

..... taking FM at least to AS level. Your extenuating circumstances might help.

If a Uni wants A level FM, then extenuating circumstances will not change that - they will still want A level FM.

If a Uni wants A level FM, then extenuating circumstances will not change that - they will still want A level FM.

LSE's position on this is, "Further Mathematics at A-level is also desirable... It is acceptable to take Further Mathematics to AS-level only, in which case you will be required to achieve grade A."

Hence my suggestion of the AS.

Do not choose more than two London Unis - they are ridiculously competitive, not because they are 'better' but just because they get 1000s of applications simply because of the supposed 'glamour' of being in London.

Manchester - https://www.socialsciences.manchester.ac.uk/economics/study/courses/ - does not require FM
Bath - https://www.bath.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate-2024/economics/ - does not require FM.
Bristol - https://www.bristol.ac.uk/economics/study/undergraduate/ - does not require FM
York - https://www.york.ac.uk/economics/study/undergraduate/ - does not require FM

I've picked up A-level maths just to get into a London University. There are personal reasons why I must stay in London, which I'm not comfortable with sharing online.

Thanks for the suggestion, however, I have worked too hard for my A-levels to drop one and pick up another halfway through.

Hey everyone. I am currently going into year 13, studying Maths, Econ, English and Geography. I intend to pursue an economics degree at a top London university, however, I am not taking A-level further maths. What are my chances of being offered a place without A-level further maths?

Just for some extra context, I was originally studying English, Econ and Geo. I decided to take A-level Maths this year as it is a requirement to study Econ in London. I’ve had to redo years 12 and 13 due to severe extenuating circumstances regarding my health and family issues. Do you think my chances are slim?

GCSEs results are as follows: one 9, four 8s, three 7s, once 5 and 6

Predicted grades - A* A* A A

In 2020 I took Bio, Chem and English. When I redid year 12 (due to family issues), I took English, geo and econ, and moved on to year 13. However, I am restarting yr 13 due to severe health issues. I am deciding to pick up maths before the start of year 13. My school do offer further maths however I had never even considered maths before this year, let alone further maths. I am only doing maths to stay in London. Are my chances really that slim, despite already doing maths?

Thank you.