Am I selling myself short for uni?

I assume the physics idea is on the basis that you're taking economics and business simultaneously, which I think both LSE and UCL indicate they won't consider together as two separate A-levels? As above FM might be more relevant for some programmes (e.g. economics), otherwise in general physics just seems a bit arbitrary. However, you should check with those unis whether they would consider you even if you did take an extra A-level in a gap year.

The issue they may have is that at no point did you sit 3 A-level exams in wholly discrete and separate subjects without overlap, and therefore have no indication of your ability to cope with that kind of workload (which they believe to be indicative of the workload for their degree programmes). There seems little point in making such plans if it may turn out they won't accept the extra A-level to ameliorate taking two overlapping subjects in the first instance.

Outside of that, whether to reapply or not is up to you. Do you want to go to the universities you applied to? Would you rather go to the other universities if you were made an offer by them? Do you think it's realistically going to make a difference long term which you go to, if you don't really have a preference between them practically other than some sense of perceived prestige?

Yes you are selling yourself short because A&F is such a soft subject 😉

That's what I've heard, was considering asking to switch to economics at Durham. I genuinely enjoy the subject and have for a couple years but I know people view it as 'easy'.

As someone who did an accounting degree, I hardly consider it easy.
Most accounting degrees are accredited by professional bodies, so it's the appropriate level of difficulty if you want to go into the accounting profession.

Is accounting harder than economics? That depends. Economics is more quantitative, but accounting (despite involving relatively simple maths) is hard because you need to get your head around it and reason in a certain way. Accounting requires you to think in a way that's different to the way you need in economics. Oftentimes, it's the economics students who asked the accounting students for help in the accounting modules, as opposed to the other way round.

If you have done a number of finance related programming languages, do you intend to work as an analyst or quant? It sounds more like you have an idea of the sort of career you want to go into, but I don't think your choice of degrees might be appropriate. To my knowledge, an accounting degree is only really applicable if you want to go into management or accounting. Whilst accounting is useful for a wide range of roles in the financial sector (as well as being a useful life skill), it's not that commonly used by most professions there.

Yes you are selling yourself short because A&F is such a soft subject 😉

I took programming because I think it will be important in most walks of life in the future, but I took a few courses on corporate finance because I've always found it interesting. I'm probably too young and inexperienced to know, but I think I want to go into corporate development or transactions early on, then move towards a role in industry, maybe as a management accountant. I think in that sense accounting and finance is relevant.

I can switch my course at Durham to finance bsc which is more quantitative and centred around corporate finance. I have the options to take accounting modules alongside it which I think is ideal because it means I can specialise. This is a bit unrelated, but do you think a pure finance degree with accounting modules would be viewed better than a mixed BA accounting and finance? I'm sure the difference is minimal.

I want to do the ACA though I know that for sure, and the A&F has 9 exemptions whereas the finance one has 6 or 7.

Just one tip; I wouldn't worry at all about ACA exemptions. All it will do is save you the hassle of doing a few exams down the line, but it's not gonna make it any easier to get a job or anything. If you want to work in Corporate Finance then economics is definitely the best option.

Not agruing regarding the programming. I'm learning it for my own endeavours. However, I wouldn't advise putting it on your CV if you're aiming to go into those particular roles though.

Thing is, I think you're looking at too many jobs that aren't particularly related or make a lot of senses progressing from one to the other.

The degree of choice in this sense would be of minimal importance in my opinion. As far as I know, corporate development or transactions don't require you to have a specific degree in order to do the job. If anything, the professional qualifications at Level 3 would be more relevant.
Should you wish to go into accounting, I don't think many employers would see accounting or finance degrees would be favoured on top of any other degree. Other than your grades, I think they would be more focused on your aptitude and personality. Sure, the exemptions you will help save on their training and your interest in the area is recognised, but they would value practical experience and being passionate about the job and company you work for more, since any company you will be working for is more interested in making money than training graduates. Of course, you should check this with the professionals in the field as well.

So yeah, if you want to go into accounting, the A&F degree would probably be more relevant. A pure finance degree on the other hand is nice to do, but if you want to go into corporate finance, then I'd rather stick to the professional qualifications as opposed to the degree.

I mean tbf warwick and durham are prestigious and competitive to get into, so its rly up to u. I thought warwick was known for finance (as well as business)

Should I take a gap year and apply for unis like UCL, LSE which I'd want to go to (really want to study in London) and maybe take a physics A level in my gap year, or should I just take the courses I've been offered now?

I'm pretty sure UCL don't do A+F degrees. Kings do but the course is new and may have some significant issues for accountancy related careers. Would you be applying for A+F or something else? If you want to do another A level further maths is a more convenient thing to study outside of school than physics.

Probably economics and stats for UCL. I chose A+F because I underestimated my grades a little bit I think, but I'd probably apply for economics. I'm aware how competitive the UCL economics course is though. I was considering further maths as it would link nicely with econometrics in the finance bsc at Durham anyway.

That's what I've heard, was considering asking to switch to economics at Durham. I genuinely enjoy the subject and have for a couple years but I know people view it as 'easy'.

Probably economics and stats for UCL. I chose A+F because I underestimated my grades a little bit I think, but I'd probably apply for economics. I'm aware how competitive the UCL economics course is though. I was considering further maths as it would link nicely with econometrics in the finance bsc at Durham anyway.