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LSE Economics - what a-levels?

I am really interested in the LSE's Economics course (I mean, who isn't?) and they mentioned a few things they would look at for an application. They said course combination - do they have a list of favoured a-levels? I am planning on taking Maths, Economics, and probably Geography? I was going to take Politics but I felt it was a bit too essay-based. Also, would they look at GCSE results? As long as A-levels are good, do GCSEs matter? Thanks!

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Original post by aliceoko
I am really interested in the LSE's Economics course (I mean, who isn't?) and they mentioned a few things they would look at for an application. They said course combination - do they have a list of favoured a-levels? I am planning on taking Maths, Economics, and probably Geography? I was going to take Politics but I felt it was a bit too essay-based. Also, would they look at GCSE results? As long as A-levels are good, do GCSEs matter? Thanks!


http://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Entry-Requirements

http://www.lse.ac.uk/Study-at-LSE/Undergraduate/Degree-programmes-2017/BSc-Economics

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Original post by aliceoko
I am really interested in the LSE's Economics course (I mean, who isn't?) and they mentioned a few things they would look at for an application. They said course combination - do they have a list of favoured a-levels? I am planning on taking Maths, Economics, and probably Geography? I was going to take Politics but I felt it was a bit too essay-based. Also, would they look at GCSE results? As long as A-levels are good, do GCSEs matter? Thanks!


According to the link, 94 percent took economics, and 78 percent did further maths. This basically means that you will be at a severe disadvantage when applying for bsc economics without further maths (although physics might compensate). I am planning on taking the exact route as you and I am taking my GCSEs this year. Im taking maths, further maths, economics and psychology. I think they look at GCSEs as well, since they dont interview applicants, so just try and get as many A*s as possible.

https://my.sacustudent.com/sacustudent/fp=374:352:0:GO:NO::P352_JACS,P352_WORD_IN,P352_FROM_SPARTAN,P352_HIDE,P352_SHORTLIST_ONLY,P352_HMATCH,P352_HMATCH_A,P352_HMATCH_B,P352_HMATCH_C,P352_HMATCH_D:L1,,TRUE,FALSE,N,zZzZEconomicszZzZFurther_MathematicszZzZMathematicszZzZPsychology,zZzZFurther_MathematicszZzZMathematicszZzZPsychology,zZzZEconomicszZzZFurther_MathematicszZzZMathematics,zZzZEconomicszZzZMathematicszZzZPsychology,zZzZEconomicszZzZFurther_MathematicszZzZPsychology&cs=3751E55D91EF2B8BBCFB66EF04C8CD117
(edited 6 years ago)
Thank you so much!
Original post by aliceoko
I am really interested in the LSE's Economics course (I mean, who isn't?) and they mentioned a few things they would look at for an application. They said course combination - do they have a list of favoured a-levels? I am planning on taking Maths, Economics, and probably Geography? I was going to take Politics but I felt it was a bit too essay-based. Also, would they look at GCSE results? As long as A-levels are good, do GCSEs matter? Thanks!


Take
Maths
Further maths
Economics
A science
Reply 5
Original post by tedgfbtebfetedfb
According to the link, 94 percent took economics, and 78 percent did further maths. This basically means that you will be at a severe disadvantage when applying for bsc economics without further maths (although physics might compensate). I am planning on taking the exact route as you and I am taking my GCSEs this year. Im taking maths, further maths, economics and psychology. I think they look at GCSEs as well, since they dont interview applicants, so just try and get as many A*s as possible.


Original post by aliceoko
Thank you so much!


Hold on, https://www.whatuni.com/degrees/economics-bsc-hons/london-school-of-economics-and-political-science-university-of-london/cd/54987366/5884/

Further Maths is 52% not 78%

And as per the links provided 2 weeks ago by @ageshallnot it specifically says "Further Mathematics at A level is also desirable, but as a fourth subject only."
Original post by Skyewoods
Take
Maths
Further maths
Economics
A science


Does Computing count as a science? Also, if I couldn't take a science/computing, do you think Geography or Politics would be more desirable?
one essay subject is a good idea, economics is not just mathematical you know. there's plenty of wordy parts to it. i'd go with maths, further maths, economics, an essay subject and a 5th AS.
Original post by CollectiveSoul
one essay subject is a good idea, economics is not just mathematical you know. there's plenty of wordy parts to it. i'd go with maths, further maths, economics, an essay subject and a 5th AS.


We don't get to do AS anymore :frown: I think we might have a little more time to move around subjects if we don't like them, but that's about it.
Essay subjects aren't my strong point, so I'm planning to focus all my time on getting good at Economics essays, and try and keep my other subjects more logical and math-related as I find those subjects a lot easier, though I don't know if LSE would prefer an essay-based one? I'm trying to pick between Geography, Politics and Computing...
Reply 9
Original post by aliceoko
I'm trying to pick between Geography, Politics and Computing...


Pick the one you enjoy the most and will do best at.

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Original post by aliceoko
We don't get to do AS anymore :frown: I think we might have a little more time to move around subjects if we don't like them, but that's about it.
Essay subjects aren't my strong point, so I'm planning to focus all my time on getting good at Economics essays, and try and keep my other subjects more logical and math-related as I find those subjects a lot easier, though I don't know if LSE would prefer an essay-based one? I'm trying to pick between Geography, Politics and Computing...


oh no AS levels, goodness me.

no then i definitely agree with your plan: maths, f maths and econ are the most important. if you think you can cope with a 4th a level then i'd recommend it. i'd pick geography out of those as its a 'traditional' a level unlike Politics and the human side of geography is actually rather relevant to macroeconomics!
Reply 11
Original post by CollectiveSoul
oh no AS levels, goodness me.

no then i definitely agree with your plan: maths, f maths and econ are the most important.


I repeat

Original post by Doonesbury
Hold on, https://www.whatuni.com/degrees/economics-bsc-hons/london-school-of-economics-and-political-science-university-of-london/cd/54987366/5884/

Further Maths is 52% not 78%

And as per the links provided 2 weeks ago by @ageshallnot it specifically says "Further Mathematics at A level is also desirable, but as a fourth subject only."




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Original post by Doonesbury
Pick the one you enjoy the most and will do best at.

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she's looking for the subjects to maximise her chances at LSE, not for a proverb from the Dali Lama.
Reply 13
Original post by CollectiveSoul
she's looking for the subjects to maximise her chances at LSE, not for a proverb from the Dali Lama.


What about a proverb from LSE itself.

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Definitely take maths, take further maths to at least AS, and the other two are your choice but I suggest taking economics as a 3rd and the last can be whatever
Original post by Doonesbury
What about a proverb from LSE itself.

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the one that says subject choices are important...
Original post by Doonesbury
Hold on, https://www.whatuni.com/degrees/economics-bsc-hons/london-school-of-economics-and-political-science-university-of-london/cd/54987366/5884/

Further Maths is 52% not 78%

And as per the links provided 2 weeks ago by @ageshallnot it specifically says "Further Mathematics at A level is also desirable, but as a fourth subject only."


The link I used showed what AS subjects everyone took, however the link you provided showed which A2's everyone took. It could be that 26 percent chose to drop further maths in year 13.
Reply 17
Original post by CollectiveSoul
the one that says subject choices are important...


As is getting excellent grades. And there's no point studying FM as 3rd A-level.

OPs original choice of Maths, Economics and Geography is perfect, if she thinks she can get a better grade in Geography than Politics. If she prefers Politics over Geography (which I don't think she does) then that would be fine too.

A*AA in Maths, Economics, Politics is much better than A*AB in Maths, Economics, Geography.

And FM is irrelevant as OP isn't taking 4 A-levels.
Original post by aliceoko
Does Computing count as a science? Also, if I couldn't take a science/computing, do you think Geography or Politics would be more desirable?


Ideally bio, chem or physics but computing will do. Politics over geography because it is more relevant.

However. The most important thing is the grade. Choose the subject you know you'll get an A in because that is the most important thing.
(edited 6 years ago)
Reply 19
Original post by Skyewoods
Ideally bio, chem or physics but computing will do. Politics over geography because it is more relevant.

However. The most important thing is the grade. Choose the subject you know you'll get an A in because that is the most important thing. You are likely to drop this 4th one when going in to A2 so pick the one that is easiest from the ones mentioned. Also look at the number of students who got an A last year in each subject nationally and at your college


Following the introduction of linear A-levels many (most?) schools no longer allow students to take 4 subjects in Y12 and drop one for Y13.

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