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Is economics a good a level?

Hey guys,

So next year I'm thinking about studying economics for a level and as the title suggests I just want to know about it and whether it is considered a respectable subject by top unis.
So I have some questions, but any extra info is much appreciated:

Firstly, how much maths is involved?
Is the maths particularly difficult?
Is it more essay based or maths based?

Thanks!! :smile:

Reply 1

hellomynameisr

12

Really depends on what you combine it with. I do it alongside maths, fm and physics and this is quite a popular option. Can lead to a really broad range of degree choices.

1. Not much maths involved. The most you're going to have to do is calculate percentage changes and then apply to a formula.
2. Not hard if you know basic GCSE maths.
3. Definitely more essay based. There are some maths questions but they are usually quite a small proportion of the total marks in the paper.

Reply 2

Jodie99

11

Original post by Wirefox

Hey guys,

So next year I'm thinking about studying economics for a level and as the title suggests I just want to know about it and whether it is considered a respectable subject by top unis.
So I have some questions, but any extra info is much appreciated:

Firstly, how much maths is involved?
Is the maths particularly difficult?
Is it more essay based or maths based?

Thanks!! :smile:

There's not much maths involved, the edexcel course is far more essay based. As long as you're competent at calculating percentages etc you should be fine 😄 I've not had any problems with unis, I got offers from Warwick, Exeter, Sheffield, Leeds and Sussex.

Reply 3

iamhasana

12

Original post by Wirefox

Hey guys,

So next year I'm thinking about studying economics for a level and as the title suggests I just want to know about it and whether it is considered a respectable subject by top unis.
So I have some questions, but any extra info is much appreciated:

Firstly, how much maths is involved?
Is the maths particularly difficult?
Is it more essay based or maths based?

Thanks!! :smile:

Hi I am doing Econ A level (OCR) in year 12 atm!

1 - Not so much maths but there is a lot of logic required. Also a looooottttt of graphs

2 - Again if your logical and like problem solving you will be fine

3 - A lot of analytical and evaluative writing. Using data, graphs and logic to come to economic solutions. If you don't like essays then it's not for you especially the high mark questions

Reply 4

Wirefox

OP

15

Original post by Reality Check

Yes, it's a good A level. Basically, if you can, you do Economics - if you can't, you do Business Studies....

The mathematical content has been vastly diluted over the years - there's very little left. If you've done Higher Tier maths at GCSE, you'll be fine. However, if you were thinking of doing Economics at university, you'd need a much higher mathematical knowledge, from at least Maths, and preferably FM too.

Original post by hellomynameisr

Really depends on what you combine it with. I do it alongside maths, fm and physics and this is quite a popular option. Can lead to a really broad range of degree choices.

1. Not much maths involved. The most you're going to have to do is calculate percentage changes and then apply to a formula.
2. Not hard if you know basic GCSE maths.
3. Definitely more essay based. There are some maths questions but they are usually quite a small proportion of the total marks in the paper.

Thankyou both so much!
I am doing higher tier maths at the moment.
I'm having to do it with french and geography but I think I'll enjoy it.

Reply 5

Wirefox

OP

15

Original post by Jodie99

There's not much maths involved, the edexcel course is far more essay based. As long as you're competent at calculating percentages etc you should be fine 😄 I've not had any problems with unis, I got offers from Warwick, Exeter, Sheffield, Leeds and Sussex.

Original post by iamhasana

Hi I am doing Econ A level (OCR) in year 12 atm!

1 - Not so much maths but there is a lot of logic required. Also a looooottttt of graphs

2 - Again if your logical and like problem solving you will be fine

3 - A lot of analytical and evaluative writing. Using data, graphs and logic to come to economic solutions. If you don't like essays then it's not for you especially the high mark questions

May I ask whether you both enjoy the subject?
And congrats Jodie99 on your offers! Which one do you think you'll go for?

Reply 6

Metalfros

16

It is a subject I should have picked over English. You should definitely take it

Reply 7

Jodie99

11

Original post by Wirefox

May I ask whether you both enjoy the subject?
And congrats Jodie99 on your offers! Which one do you think you'll go for?

I know people who find it boring but personally I enjoy the subject. Thank you! :smile:

I went for Leeds because I really liked the look of the course (International Development)

Reply 8

snipecaik

14

Economics encompasses a range of skills, which should have been gathered at GCSE, and builds upon knowledge of the course. IMO it's a good a-level if you're considering future prospects in the area.

Reply 9

Zach3

6

Original post by Wirefox

Hey guys,

So next year I'm thinking about studying economics for a level and as the title suggests I just want to know about it and whether it is considered a respectable subject by top unis.
So I have some questions, but any extra info is much appreciated:

Firstly, how much maths is involved?
Is the maths particularly difficult?
Is it more essay based or maths based?

Thanks!! :smile:

1) Not much Maths involved, only occasional mathematical questions often not worth a lot of marks. There are a lot of diagrams you have to learn though, and they get really confusing at A2, but this does not overlap with the Maths curriculum at all.

2) Very basic - percentage change and remembering some formulas is as complicated as it gets. You really don't need Maths beyond GCSE, though Maths A level will open a lot more doors than this A level - this should ideally be taken with Maths rather than as a substitute for it.

3) Definitely. The extent to which depends on exam board, but if you go on to do Edexcel the extended writing is half the paper, and it's so easy to lose a ton of marks if you don't manage your time wisely.

It's definitely no pushover subject, teaching analysis and interpretation of data. I've really enjoyed the course so far (in year 2 right now).

Reply 10

Hasham123

15

Prepare for a lot of graphs but the maths is quite simple

Reply 11

waterenjoyer

11

Original post by Metalfros

It is a subject I should have picked over English. You should definitely take it

lol i know this is a bit of an overdue question and you probably dont use this website anymore but:

i think i'm in a similar situation to what you were in. Right now i'm doing history, politics and english lit but we're only 3 weeks in and so I still have the option to change, and after realising what's in the english course I am really looking to drop it. How comes you recommend econ over english? i want to make the right decision

Reply 12

StudyMind

8

Original post by waterenjoyer

lol i know this is a bit of an overdue question and you probably dont use this website anymore but:

i think i'm in a similar situation to what you were in. Right now i'm doing history, politics and english lit but we're only 3 weeks in and so I still have the option to change, and after realising what's in the english course I am really looking to drop it. How comes you recommend econ over english? i want to make the right decision

Heya!
I didn't do English (my friends did) but I did econ. Econ is a very heavy essay-based subject where you learn about the micro and macro market. It was my fav subject :h:

You learn a lot from it and can apply it to current situations (inflation, recession etc) and understand the market better. I found it very fun, having to explain what I mean via diagrams and discussing the market using real-life examples. From what I heard English is difficult ( I haven't done it so can't say much sorry!)

I hope this helps!
Milena G.
UCL PFE
Study Mind

Is economics a good a level?

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