Economics Applicant Thread UCAS 2012

They're still very good GCSEs (I'm sorry to hear that).

You might have a chance at the top 5, it's just going to be a risk you will have to decide on. Bristol (as many people have said) is a good university, but also one with a seemingly unusual admissions process, so even if you reapplied to Bristol (along with four of the top 5) then you can certainly not guarantee an offer and might end up with nothing at all...

Yes, I was considering just doing language modules but I really want a year there and it's an opportunity not to pass up (Erasmus). Especially considering that tuition fees are going so high now, a free year of tuition is something I'll take Also, I'll need to live in the country if I wish to gain any level of fluency.

Unfortunately, you're wrong I'll be applying for straight Economics at Edinburgh and Warwick because you apply for the Erasmus scheme once you get there (and if I don't get on it there, I'll be kicking and screaming, haha, but I don't think it's incredibly competitive (in comparison to exchanges to the USA and such) as not a lot of people speak a foreign language.

At Bristol it should help my chances definitely, as that variant of the course is a lot less competitive. They've removed the ratios (Applicants:Offers) from the website now but it used to be 88:15 for Economics with a year abroad compared to 1200:70 or something like that. I don't think it would make a difference to Exeter but that should be relatively easy to get an offer from (at least, according to TAELT and the fact everyone at my school gets an offer from there year on year).

Yeah that's what I'm worried about - reapplying and losing Bristol. Although I believe having achieved some A* at alevel will have more weight than people just predicted them if you know what I mean?

Yeah that's what I'm worried about - reapplying and losing Bristol. Although I believe having achieved some A* at alevel will have more weight than people just predicted them if you know what I mean?

I definitely agree you need to be in the country to actually grasp how the language is spoken in the real world. My brother did European Business Studies or something along those lines with a year in Germany at a fairly low-ranked university. He speaks fluently now and it was actually his language skills that landed him his job in a large bank so it is definitely something that can really help in the future.

If you think you might be tempted but are sure you don't want to then don't do it! You could just apply to Nottingham where you know they at least do German. Or if you're not 101% sure you want to do the year in Germany then go for Cambridge/LSE to keep your options open. It's a tricky decision

I couldn't quite get my head around the admissions statistics on Bristol's website when I saw them last, they were really confusing (perhaps that's why they have removed them ).

Never realised how quick some places booked up, tickets for Economics at Bath University is booked up already

Seems to have been a change in what the unis are asking for/ "preferred subjects". Further maths seems to have disappeared from many of the unis websites (except ofc LSE).

Would F.Maths be needed for:
Cambridge, Warwick, UCL, Nottingham and York?
I'll probably end up contacting admissions office anyway but if anyone knows it would be helpful.

It's always useful. Please do tell us what the admissions offices say though.

Seems to have been a change in what the unis are asking for/ "preferred subjects". Further maths seems to have disappeared from many of the unis websites (except ofc LSE).

Would F.Maths be needed for:
Cambridge, Warwick, UCL, Nottingham and York?
I'll probably end up contacting admissions office anyway but if anyone knows it would be helpful.

Have any of you arranged any work experience ? I'm spending some time in the economic regeneration department in my local area and i hope this is enough to strengthen my personal statement !

I've done a little bit at an investment management bank but admissions tutors (for economics) seem to care less about this than you might think. They would probably rather you spent the time explaining why you like economics and perhaps briefly discussing a theory you found interesting.

I would have loved to have been able to do something like that - but investment banks are hard to come by where i live ! I'm currently reading Friedman's Capitalism and Freedom and i feel like i could discuss this in depth.

Sounds quite heavy going! Make sure you understand everything you discuss and be ready for tricky questions about what you write in interviews!

cheers ! i know - i tried to read the general theory and gave up after the first few chapters :| hopefully i can give it another go