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Economics & Acturial Science at Southampton?

I was wondering whether the Eco and Acturial Science course at Southampton is a well respected one? :confused:

I am Predicted 3 A's for A level and have a strong set of GCSE's. I am applying to Oxbridge but need help with other courses. I am interested in Acturial science and economics but am not sure if i should apply to southampton as its only 37th in the Guardian University tables.

Where else can i apply to do Acturial Science?
Is southamton a well respected uni by employers?
It is it worth Applying?

Thanks.

PLEASE reply - i need help to make some decisions !

Reply 1

Knogle

16

LSE has a course in Actuarial Science.

No comments/idea on Southampton.

Reply 2

Theorist

10

Yeah, first thing that came to mind was LSE Actuarial Science. From what you've said, I think you can do better than Southampton, which is good but by no way means great, but the problem is not many top universities offer Actuarial Science. You might want to try applying for Economics and then becoming an actuary or doing something like Maths and Economics, MORSE, Mathematical Finance etc. Basically courses that will give you a good preparation for becoming an actuary.

So, from what you've said I'd say that you can do better than Southampton. Obviously apply to LSE for Actuarial Science but for the others, you might have to apply for Economics or a more mathematical version of it, because Actuarial Science is a specialised discipline which few universities offer.

I could probably make some more detailed suggestions, but I'd need a bit more information. Could I ask what your GCSE and AS grades are and in what subjects?

Hope this helps,

Sen

Reply 3

livinit

OP

Thanks for the feedback!!!.

LSE maybe worth applying for but the thing is i'm doing Maths, Economics, Chemistry and Physics AS levels, although i am predicted all A's I dont do Further Maths so have got a feeling I'll be severly disadvantaged. What do you think - Is further Maths essential to get an offer for Acturial Science at LSE?

Also for straight economics which is better Manchester or SOuthampton?? :confused:

Reply 4

Knogle

16

livinit

Thanks for the feedback!!!.

LSE maybe worth applying for but the thing is i'm doing Maths, Economics, Chemistry and Physics AS levels, although i am predicted all A's I dont do Further Maths so have got a feeling I'll be severly disadvantaged. What do you think - Is further Maths essential to get an offer for Acturial Science at LSE?

Also for straight economics which is better Manchester or SOuthampton?? :confused:

Those are 4 rock solid traditional 'A' level subjects - i think you'll be fine if you have adequate extra curriculars and a good PS/reference. Did you take Additional Mathematics at 'O' level/GCSE?

I would go with Manchester -- the BSc course that is (I think they also have an inferior BA course).

Reply 5

Werty675

I'd probably go with Manchester (BSc) out of the two - they are both good for econ, however, from your grades, I would personally look more closely at UCL, Warwick, Nottingham, Bristol and perhaps York and Bath for L100. I would only be viewing Manchester as a possible insurance.

Reply 6

Sophdoph

1

One of my best friends does econ and actuarial; seems well respected by employees and they have had many firms come to recruit from their course over the course of the year already.

Quite a hard course in terms of the actuary side, but the economics is totally fine if you can manage the actuary maths :smile:

Get to do interesting demography and social statistics modules, I wouldn't discount it. Why don't you go to an open day and see if you like the department and the uni? Most sensible option by far is to see the place before you pass judgement.

Reply 7

Special

livinit

I was wondering whether the Eco and Acturial Science course at Southampton is a well respected one? :confused:

I am Predicted 3 A's for A level and have a strong set of GCSE's. I am applying to Oxbridge but need help with other courses. I am interested in Acturial science and economics but am not sure if i should apply to southampton as its only 37th in the Guardian University tables.

Where else can i apply to do Acturial Science?
Is southamton a well respected uni by employers?
It is it worth Applying?

Thanks.

PLEASE reply - i need help to make some decisions !

Due to its specialist nature, I should imagine this course would be very good if you want to be an actuary (obviously if you cannot get into LSE). City University also have a very well-respected actuarial science course that is definitely worth looking at if you want to study this as a specialist subject.

Reply 8

Sophdoph

1

Sentooran

For Actuarial Science, LSE state that Further Maths is highly desirable. Is there no chance that you can at least take a Further Maths AS, through own study? Also, for your applied modules for A level Maths, do you take Mechanics or Statistics? Because for Actuarial Science, the more statistics, the better. I think you should at least take a Further Maths AS, as this will definitely help. Actuarial Science is very mathematical. Having said this, your subject choices are very good and your grades are strong, from what you have said - so those should work in your favour and compensate for the absence of Further Maths A2.

The BSc at Manchester is more respected than the BSc Southampton.

Hope this helps,

Sen

Do you really think so? I know of at least 4 or 5 people in my year, including me, that chose Soton over Manchester for L100. I think both have a very good reputation with employers, and that they have an even enough standing to mean you can have the freedom to choose the university you prefer rather than simply worrying about the standard of the course.

Reply 9

Theorist

10

Sophdoph

Do you really think so? I know of at least 4 or 5 people in my year, including me, that chose Soton over Manchester for L100. I think both have a very good reputation with employers, and that they have an even enough standing to mean you can have the freedom to choose the university you prefer rather than simply worrying about the standard of the course.

I thought that this was the case. But I may be wrong; that's the beauty of these forums.

Sen

Reply 10

Amnesia

2

Southampton is decent for economics, but I agree with Sentooran that the BSc at Manchester is probably slightly more respected than its equivalent at Southampton.

Reply 11

livinit

OP

Thanks again!

I do have the opportunity to do a further maths at aslevel. In total i will be able to do s1 and s2.

i was wondering whether if you lot reckon Students of Manchester uni or Southampton and hav a better social life :biggrin:

?

Reply 12

Knogle

16

livinit

Thanks again!

I do have the opportunity to do a further maths at aslevel. In total i will be able to do s1 and s2.

i was wondering whether if you lot reckon Students of Manchester uni or Southampton and hav a better social life :biggrin:

?

Manchester probably.

Reply 13

Sophdoph

1

Manchester is mucho bigger = more to do. Soton is good for nightlife though and general student fun.

Reply 14

max_e_muscle

2

livinit

Thanks again!

I do have the opportunity to do a further maths at aslevel. In total i will be able to do s1 and s2.

i was wondering whether if you lot reckon Students of Manchester uni or Southampton and hav a better social life :biggrin:

?

Why are you looking at either of these unis for L100 :confused:

You could do so much better with the subjects and grades you have! Like someone said earlier, Warwick, Nottingham etc are soo much better than Manchester or southampton - neither of which are THAT good or respected to be honest and would not be in employers 'top 10 unis' overall and for economics. On another note, I've been to look round southampton, I thought the uni was rubbish and the nightlife looks like it would be ****

Reply 15

ammarb87

what are the top 10 unis in the employuers list apart from Oxbridge ???
Do you guys think that getting a degree from UK or any other western country will be an advantage in getting a job in a developing country ??

Reply 16

Shickles

8

consider City University for Actuarial Science.

OK, so it's not LSE, but i think the course is better taught at City than LSE (this is my own personal opinion, based entirely on what i saw when i visited the 2 unis). this is why i chose to apply for ActSci at City rather than LSE, eventhough City is not considered a top uni by many. i believe the ActSci course at City is the oldest in the country, and offers A LOT of exemptions from the actuarial exams. bear in mind however that LSE is much more recognised than City, so if you want to work overseas that might be something to think about.

however, i decided that actuarial science is too limited in scope, so i have decided to go to imperial instead. however, you may wish to consider warwick's MORSE course. it's highly flexible and very relevant to finance & statistics, and could also lead to actuarial exemptions if you go on to do MMORSE.