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A levels for an economics degree?
Hi. I'm in year 11 at the moment, so I'm thinking about A level choices.
I'm thinking about doing an economics degree. I've seen people say on the forums that if your school does do economics but you don't take it, then it won't look so good. My school doesn't offer economics, so would I be at a disadvantage because I didn't take business studies?
Also, how essential is further maths? I know that some course contain more maths than others, but for example, the economics & management course at oxford; would most people have further maths, and would I struggle without it?
Thanks x
I'm thinking about doing an economics degree. I've seen people say on the forums that if your school does do economics but you don't take it, then it won't look so good. My school doesn't offer economics, so would I be at a disadvantage because I didn't take business studies?
Also, how essential is further maths? I know that some course contain more maths than others, but for example, the economics & management course at oxford; would most people have further maths, and would I struggle without it?
Thanks x
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Economics is a very mathematical course. You really need to be comfortable with your maths. At Cambridge its very important to have further maths for their course. Even some cambridge colleges only take applicants with Further Maths A2. In my school 3 people got in for E&M and 5 people got into Cambridge Economics and they all offered A2 Further Maths. I wouldnt say it was necessary for Oxford, but it is very useful. Same can be said about LSE. It helps if you offer Further Maths as it shows you are comfortable with your maths and shows your suitability for the course.
If your school doesnt offer Economics then LSE say to take up Business Studies for example. However Business Studies is seen as a soft A Level by some of the top institutions so it may be best to not take Business Studies. LSE say for their L101 course a good subject choice would be:
Maths, Further Maths <=mathematical Subjects
History or English <= A Literary Subject
Economics <= Useful Basic Economic theory
Chemistry or Physics <= A Sciencey subject
So i would go for Maths, Further Maths, History, Physics as you have a bit of everything there
If your school doesnt offer Economics then LSE say to take up Business Studies for example. However Business Studies is seen as a soft A Level by some of the top institutions so it may be best to not take Business Studies. LSE say for their L101 course a good subject choice would be:
Maths, Further Maths <=mathematical Subjects
History or English <= A Literary Subject
Economics <= Useful Basic Economic theory
Chemistry or Physics <= A Sciencey subject
So i would go for Maths, Further Maths, History, Physics as you have a bit of everything there
steve2006
Economics is a very mathematical course. You really need to be comfortable with your maths. At Cambridge its very important to have further maths for their course. Even some cambridge colleges only take applicants with Further Maths A2. In my school 3 people got in for E&M and 5 people got into Cambridge Economics and they all offered A2 Further Maths. I wouldnt say it was necessary for Oxford, but it is very useful. Same can be said about LSE. It helps if you offer Further Maths as it shows you are comfortable with your maths and shows your suitability for the course.
If your school doesnt offer Economics then LSE say to take up Business Studies for example. However Business Studies is seen as a soft A Level by some of the top institutions so it may be best to not take Business Studies. LSE say for their L101 course a good subject choice would be:
Maths, Further Maths <=mathematical Subjects
History or English <= A Literary Subject
Economics <= Useful Basic Economic theory
Chemistry or Physics <= A Sciencey subject
So i would go for Maths, Further Maths, History, Physics as you have a bit of everything there
If your school doesnt offer Economics then LSE say to take up Business Studies for example. However Business Studies is seen as a soft A Level by some of the top institutions so it may be best to not take Business Studies. LSE say for their L101 course a good subject choice would be:
Maths, Further Maths <=mathematical Subjects
History or English <= A Literary Subject
Economics <= Useful Basic Economic theory
Chemistry or Physics <= A Sciencey subject
So i would go for Maths, Further Maths, History, Physics as you have a bit of everything there
Thanks. Well yeah, I definitely don't want to take BS because if i change my mind about economics, i'll be stuck with a blacklsited A level. I won't be applying to LSE because I don't want to go to a London uni, so hopefully that won't matter too much.
I'm thinking of taking 4 or 5 out of these 6:
Maths
F. Maths
English Lit
History
Gov. & Politics
German
But, it will depend on the option blocks which don't come out till June.
moody28028
Thanks. Well yeah, I definitely don't want to take BS because if i change my mind about economics, i'll be stuck with a blacklsited A level. I won't be applying to LSE because I don't want to go to a London uni, so hopefully that won't matter too much.
I'm thinking of taking 4 or 5 out of these 6:
Maths
F. Maths
English Lit
History
Gov. & Politics
German
But, it will depend on the option blocks which don't come out till June.
I'm thinking of taking 4 or 5 out of these 6:
Maths
F. Maths
English Lit
History
Gov. & Politics
German
But, it will depend on the option blocks which don't come out till June.
All of them are good options. Maths, Further Maths and History i would say are excellent choices as they are very relevant to Economics. And maybe a language to make your application different?
At the end of the day, don't take a subject because you think it'll help your application - do it because you enjoy it.
yes, if you want to go to a TOP place, Maths/FM is vital, but asides from that most subjects will be good. Any science, geography, history, languages, english lit, history will all be perceived well. Just pick your faves!
yes, if you want to go to a TOP place, Maths/FM is vital, but asides from that most subjects will be good. Any science, geography, history, languages, english lit, history will all be perceived well. Just pick your faves!
Yes good choices.
Maths, FMaths, History/Economics/Geography/English Lit, Foreign Language
Not only are they class and interesting subjects they look good as well
I took all the above "sections" as I put them in
Maths, FMaths, History/Economics/Geography/English Lit, Foreign Language
Not only are they class and interesting subjects they look good as well
I took all the above "sections" as I put them in
For Oxford I wouldn't say FM is essential by any means - it's not half as Math-y as the Cambridge course as it's a BA, I've heard it's more about written analysis rather than mathematical. But anywhere else (especially places like UCL,Warwick, LSE , Cambridge etc) I'd definetly recommend FM, I didn't do it as I was not 100% sure what degree I wanted to do (plus the fact Maths is probably my weakest subject out of the 3 I'm taking for A2).
I do Maths, History and Economics and they all seem to link in very well. History is a well regarded A level by anyone and in most courses have quite a lot of Economic content ; although that said the syllabus's are being changed. To be fair it's not a disadvantage if you don't take Economics, yeh it's good to be familiar with such terms but according to many lecturers at open days (which you will find out) the stuff that you get taught in Uni is a lot different to at A level. I guess if you really wanted - you could read up on a few terms, get yourself familiar with specific stuff (causes of Infllation/Unemployment and policies to tackle this; along with theories of the firm + the subsequent diagrams)
Good luck
I do Maths, History and Economics and they all seem to link in very well. History is a well regarded A level by anyone and in most courses have quite a lot of Economic content ; although that said the syllabus's are being changed. To be fair it's not a disadvantage if you don't take Economics, yeh it's good to be familiar with such terms but according to many lecturers at open days (which you will find out) the stuff that you get taught in Uni is a lot different to at A level. I guess if you really wanted - you could read up on a few terms, get yourself familiar with specific stuff (causes of Infllation/Unemployment and policies to tackle this; along with theories of the firm + the subsequent diagrams)
Good luck
I would personally self-study Economics but that's just me- it's not a requirement but no doubt a disadvantage at top uni's not to have it.
Maths is essential, F.Maths would be great then a essay based subject. Chuck in a language or science, doesnt really matter, and that would be ideal.
Maths is essential, F.Maths would be great then a essay based subject. Chuck in a language or science, doesnt really matter, and that would be ideal.
The most important thing in addition to doing maths is to make sure you read up and "get into" economics so to speak.
I agree with the post above, if you can, try and slef-teach economics. I haven't taken economics at a level and I think in some ways it has disadvantaged me a tad.
A good mix would be maths, fm, history (and economics).
I agree with the post above, if you can, try and slef-teach economics. I haven't taken economics at a level and I think in some ways it has disadvantaged me a tad.
A good mix would be maths, fm, history (and economics).
Maths, Maths, Science, Humanitie/English/Econ probably a good idea to take Economics or Geography as Economics obviously will help, and Geography has like a large part of it about Economics.
But Maths fo' sho'
But Maths fo' sho'
I would do Maths, English, Physics and Further Maths or History depends BSc or BA
silent ninja
I would personally self-study Economics but that's just me- it's not a requirement but no doubt a disadvantage at top uni's not to have it.
Maths is essential, F.Maths would be great then a essay based subject. Chuck in a language or science, doesnt really matter, and that would be ideal.
Maths is essential, F.Maths would be great then a essay based subject. Chuck in a language or science, doesnt really matter, and that would be ideal.
Studying Economics A-level sounds like a good idea to me. Both in terms of signalling and in terms of finding out what Economics is like. How essential it is depends on where you want to go. But at the best places unnusual not to have taken Economics e.g. at warwick 90% of students have taken Economics A-level. And where ever you end up having studied economics before will be an advantage.
If changing school is not an option then self-study or is there a local further education college that offers Economics in the evening?
(That is where I first studied Economics).
A lot of unis are looking for economics as a-level, maths and further maths. As competition rises then so will the course entry requirements.
Bath mentioned at the open day that mostly all of their "offered to" candidates had economics but it wasn't one of the specified requirements this yesr.
Bath mentioned at the open day that mostly all of their "offered to" candidates had economics but it wasn't one of the specified requirements this yesr.
karlwavfc
err yes it is well not for oxbridge but certainly fine for like bristol and nottingham
Well Bristol and Notts are both in the ridicously competive section of TAELT ( http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=619184 )for a reason, so I would not be exactly shocked if you were rejected by either. (esp. Notts that has been extra competive this year).
Seeing as you do not have economics at your college, I would suggest this combination:
Maths
Further Maths
Geography
Physics
Maths is a must, further maths to make your application stronger, geography because it is closely related to economics and physics because it adds a bit of variety to your application.
Maths
Further Maths
Geography
Physics
Maths is a must, further maths to make your application stronger, geography because it is closely related to economics and physics because it adds a bit of variety to your application.
JayAyy
Seeing as you do not have economics at your college, I would suggest this combination:
Maths
Further Maths
Geography
Physics
Maths is a must, further maths to make your application stronger, geography because it is closely related to economics and physics because it adds a bit of variety to your application.
Maths
Further Maths
Geography
Physics
Maths is a must, further maths to make your application stronger, geography because it is closely related to economics and physics because it adds a bit of variety to your application.
Thanks but this threads from Feb last year so I'm already well into my AS Levels and I want to do history at uni now anyway
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