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Economics at UCL without Economics A level

Hey i'm thinking of applying to some economics courses for next year, as people have told me they are heavily maths based and that is my strongest area. Although i dont have Economics A level, i have maths AS at A and am aiming for AAA in my alevels next year in maths french and biology. would it be much harder to do a economics degree without economics a level or do they start from the basics?
thanks a lot

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Reply 1
It will be harder without having done Economics A-Level, but they DO start from the basics.. so you'll be completely fine so long as you work well.
Technically it is possible but if I was the admissions officer I would ask myself "why not drop biology and do A2 economics instead?"
Reply 3
Not at all, you have strong subjects and stand an equal chance as every other student taking economics. Although if you did want to increase your chances a bit more you should have taken f. maths.
From the prospectus:

Course requirement: A level Mathematics is required. A level Economics is not essential. No other specific subjects are required at A level, but we prefer traditional academic subjects to subjects such as Communication Studies, Accounting, Business Studies or Media Studies.

I doubt a level economics will put you at much of an advantage anyway, do some reading over the summer if you're worried about being behind.
Reply 5
It won't put you in a disadvantage in terms of applications, but your personal statement should indicate a clear intrest in Economics. But yeah, as said before, they do start from basics and you'll have to learn from scratch whereas some will be able to fall asleep for a few lectures.
Reply 6
Having Further Maths would benefit you more than having Economics. Providing you do well in your subjects, and can show your enthusiasm for the subject in your PS, then you shouldn't really have a problem.

Also they do start from scratch, so you shouldn't worry.
Reply 7
I've heard Further Maths is more essential than economics. Just look at the prospectuses, as an above poster has stated, economics is not essential.
Reply 8
thanks for everyones answers, i did take further maths but messed up on the mechanics side of things. i only dropped 11 marks out of 300 on normal maths, should i write this on my personal statement as that means i need 3 mid c's next year to overall an A. is it worthwhile including that on my PS?
thanks
Reply 9
No, don't mention your UMS marks or grades in your PS. Teachers will mention that in their references... Just a waste of space on your PS.
Reply 10
ssp123
Hey i'm thinking of applying to some economics courses for next year, as people have told me they are heavily maths based and that is my strongest area. Although i dont have Economics A level, i have maths AS at A and am aiming for AAA in my alevels next year in maths french and biology. would it be much harder to do a economics degree without economics a level or do they start from the basics?
thanks a lot

At top unis most students have A-level econ or equivalient (e.g. 80-90% at UCl and Warwick last year). But there is nothing you can do now about your A-level choices. If you want to go to UCL apply there. Where else are you looking at?
Reply 11
I keep getting flamed for this - but in all sincerity - economics a-level is a piece of piss, so if you're good enough to get A's in maths and biology, you'll have no problem mastering the basics of economics once you're already at university.
The whole 1st year is pretty much A-Level with very basic maths thrown in

You dont even need to be that good at maths at all for the degree.
Reply 13
lucho22
I keep getting flamed for this - but in all sincerity - economics a-level is a piece of piss, so if you're good enough to get A's in maths and biology, you'll have no problem mastering the basics of economics once you're already at university.

So what does that make French and Spanish A-levels? :smile:
Reply 14
swiftplay
I've heard Further Maths is more essential than economics. Just look at the prospectuses, as an above poster has stated, economics is not essential.


i swear i read on a uni website earlier (cant remember which one) that they dont see further maths as any advantage because maths alone is enough to be able to handle the course. or something like that...further maths would have be a 4th a level maybe?
Reply 15
Paulwhy
So what does that make French and Spanish A-levels? :smile:


Just as easy, although probably required more work. I completed the full Economics A-level in one year, spanish and french took two. What's your point though? - That I did easy A-levels? I'm not exactly making a secret of it...
Reply 16
lucho22
Just as easy, although probably required more work. I completed the full Economics A-level in one year, spanish and french took two. What's your point though? - That I did easy A-levels? I'm not exactly making a secret of it...

I am not making any claims about which A-levels are easy or not. Just noticed that you had higher marks in French and Spanish. But obviously that you did the econ in 1 year is relevant.
Reply 17
Paulwhy
I am not making any claims about which A-levels are easy or not. Just noticed that you had higher marks in French and Spanish. But obviously that you did the econ in 1 year is relevant.


Fair enough - thought you were sniping - sorry for my knee-jerk misanthropy. I suppose what's telling is that I'm useless at things like maths (possibly mild dyscalculia) - and you need next to none to do well at economics A-level - it's just a bit of common sense and learning some graphs and principles.
Reply 18
lucho22
Fair enough - thought you were sniping - sorry for my knee-jerk misanthropy. I suppose what's telling is that I'm useless at things like maths (possibly mild dyscalculia) - and you need next to none to do well at economics A-level - it's just a bit of common sense and learning some graphs and principles.

No I just wondered what you made of the 2 subjects you got even higher marks in!

Yes with economics there is a lot less maths in A-level than with a degree.
Without Further Maths as a support you'll struggle.
Struggle doesn't mean you won't get an offer - it just means you'll be less likely to.

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