Official Economics Applicants Thread for 2024 Entry

Broadly, I'm applying for Economics (+some course variations here n there!)

stats:
IB - 43/45 (777 HL: Maths AA, Economics, Geography)
GCSE's - 999999988887

Choices:
- Oxford: Economics and Management
- LSE: Economics
- Warwick: Economics, Psychology & Philosophy (EPP)
- TBC: (Either Nottingham or Bristol Economics)
- Insurance TBC: (Either KCL E&M or Bath Economics)

As a side note, does anyone have any information regarding the quality of the Economics departments at Nottingham vs Bristol and for Bath vs KCL?
Namely, KCL, because I've heard their Economics department is weaker than Bath but that their reputation/brand and opportunities afforded from being in London sort of offset that difference. (Or does it not make that much of a difference in the end.)

Broadly, I'm applying for Economics (+some course variations here n there!)

stats:
IB - 43/45 (777 HL: Maths AA, Economics, Geography)
GCSE's - 999999988887

Choices:
- Oxford: Economics and Management
- LSE: Economics
- Warwick: Economics, Psychology & Philosophy (EPP)
- TBC: (Either Nottingham or Bristol Economics)
- Insurance TBC: (Either KCL E&M or Bath Economics)

As a side note, does anyone have any information regarding the quality of the Economics departments at Nottingham vs Bristol and for Bath vs KCL?
Namely, KCL, because I've heard their Economics department is weaker than Bath but that their reputation/brand and opportunities afforded from being in London sort of offset that difference. (Or does it not make that much of a difference in the end.)

ur stats r soo good! where r u applying from? are you writing the tsa
ik that bath is top ten for economics, ive not heard kcl as being as good, so even tho bath maynot be london (or russell group even) , its one of the best in the uk for econ for sure

I think your understanding is largely correct. Bath has a much stronger undergrad economics course than KCL, but King's probably has better whole-university rep and location benefits. So to me it comes down to do you want to live in London or not (London is busy, expensive and not really a fantastic student city to many, but good for networking/insight days/interviews), and whether you think you may actually want to be an economist when you graduate or do a MSc - here Bath's better course would be beneficial, but if this isn't your goal and you want to do something else like finance/consulting/etc then an argument could be made that KCL might be the better option.

Re Bristol vs Notts econ departments, while Notts' is stronger, this largely only comes into play at postgrad level. For an undergrad degree, the quality of courses at Bristol/Bath/Notts/Durham/Edinburgh is very similar. So I personally wouldn't base the choice between the two on quality of econ departments, instead think about the module structures (which has modules that interest you more) and which city you'd prefer.

I see. Speaking to someone I know doing Economics at Bristol I’m hearing a lot of the things you’ve said, echoed through him so I feel more reassured.

Although I feel I can handle the mathematical nature of Bristol’s economics, ultimately I felt put off by its heavy emphasis within the course. I’m sure I would have similar opportunities to pursue more quantitative economics at Nottingham but say that I wished to pursue a different route, I wouldn’t want to be undertaking “unnecessary” maths irrelevant to what I want to go into.

I think my final choices will be (in order of personal course desirability)

- Oxford: Economics and Management
- Warwick: Economics, Psychology & Philosophy (EPP)
- LSE: Economics
- Nottingham: Economics
- Bath: Economics (Insurance)

I'm not really sure there was actually a question in your response, but just some reflections on what you said. First, to me your course choices don't look particularly well diversified across the grade spectrum (I'm assuming your grades are predicted rather than achieved). I'm not sure in IB terms, but they're all A*AA and above, which is quite risky. Would it not make sense to cut one of Ox/LSE/Warwick choices to get one below the A*AA and above range?

Secondly, I don't quite understand your comment about being put off by the mathematical emphasis of Bristol's course if you're also applying to Bath and Notts (which are very similar to Bristol in terms of mathematical emphasis), not to mention LSE which is probably the second most mathematically rigorous straight economics course in Europe. The logic seems a bit inconsistent. If you're willing to study economics at LSE, the mathematical focus at any of Bristol/Bath/Notts shouldn't be off putting.

Third, given LSE and Oxford's large weighting towards the personal statement, especially the former, I imagine it's going to be quite difficult to satisfy the admissions tutors if you're also applying for an EPP course. I'm sure it's possible, but given all your other options are econ, is applying to EPP worth potentially risking your chances at LSE and Oxford?

Fourth, if you do want a good economics course that places less emphasis on maths, Durham's BA Economics course might be a better option than one of Bristol/Bath/Notts. It has a similar quantity of maths classes, but is much lighter on statistics classes than the aforementioned courses.

1. I think my entry requirements are quite diversified. There are slightly more nuances for IB requirements than with A-levels, so I don't really blame you for thinking my choices are quite risky. The only contentious grade in my opinion is the 7 in HL Maths, but I have enough options around that that will take me if I don't get that grade. For reference...
- Oxford: 39 (766, 6 HL Maths)
- LSE: 38 (766, 7 HL Maths)
- Warwick: 38 (4 HL Maths)
- Nottingham: 38 (5 HL Maths)
- Bath: 36 (766, 6 HL Maths)

2. I meant that for Nottingham, there are fewer mathematical modules that are compulsory to the course than with Bristol's course. Since I do view them as quite similar universities, I weighted Nottingham's course over Bristol's for not being so constricted with mathematical modules, therefore able to take a wider range of optional modules. But I am still keen to apply to LSE given that I view it as a 'better' university than Nottingham or Bristol, which outweighs the mathematical nature of LSE's course in my opinion. (Might not see it as rational, but that's my logic)

3. My personal statement is focused around Economics and Management (more Econ than management). Aside from talking about behavioural economics, management also lends itself quite nicely to psychology, so I don't think it's taken away focus towards Oxford and LSE. I shared your concern, so I went around asking other EPP students, and they said it was fine, so I'm fairly confident I won't be put down by it.

4. I also looked into Durham for this reason, but as a university I preferred Nottingham and Bristol to Durham. Besides, Nottingham is slightly safer as a choice, given its lower maths req and the fact that their offer rate is higher.

Has anyone got any offers for economics (specifically for bath or Exeter)

kcl rejection 💔 achieved a*a*ab, didn't think they reject this quickly

Hi when did u apply ?

hey, I am also applying for econ this year

stats:
a levels - maths, econ, german, EPQ
predicted grades: A*A*AA
gcses: 99999999886
choices: Cambridge (already rejected lol), LSE (AAA because I applied for Econ &Econ history), UCL, idk about the other 2 - probably Durham and QMUL

I am really unsure about my other 2 options, does anyone have any advice on where I can apply? Thanks in advance!!

Just got a Econ offer for Bath 😄

hi! when did u apply