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Economics vs Finance bsc for IB?

Hello,

I have an offer for A&F at Durham and I want to change it to either Finance bsc or economics, because they're more quantitative and thus more challenging and better for employability. Plus, I think I'd rather do one of those two and take accounting modules rather than do accounting and finance.

For example, taking all the accounting modules with the finance bsc course gets me 7 exemptions vs 9 for A&F.

I want to do finance more than economics because I find it interesting (though I enjoy economics too) but I'm aware economics is the most respected for investment banking.

Which should I pick?
Your degree doesn't really matter for IB but generally Econ is perceived slightly better than Finance for employability
Would say it depends. Disregard ideas about what "looks good" and focus on outcomes.

If you're looking to enter an accounting graduate scheme at one of the big 4, be aware that you'll undertake the ACA programme if in audit which will give you eligibility for 6 exemptions on ICAEW qualification. Very useful - ACA exams are much harder compared to the university equivalents.

If you're looking to do minimal extra revision for interviews then generally BSc Finance>BSc A+F>Economics

For M&A - BSc A+F >BSc Fin > BSc Econ

For S&T then BSc Economics > Bsc Finance

Economics inherently is more flexible- careers in academic research and economic consulting.

Bare in mind that small boutiques and accounting firms do like people with a "finance based degree".
(edited 3 years ago)
Original post by IBDMaster
Would say it depends. Disregard ideas about what "looks good" and focus on outcomes.

If you're looking to enter an accounting graduate scheme at one of the big 4, be aware that you'll undertake the ACA programme if in audit which will give you eligibility for 6 exemptions on ICAEW qualification. Very useful - ACA exams are much harder compared to the university equivalents.

If you're looking to do minimal extra revision for interviews then generally BSc Finance>BSc A+F>Economics

For M&A - BSc A+F >BSc Fin > BSc Econ

For S&T then BSc Economics > Bsc Finance

Economics inherently is more flexible- careers in academic research and economic consulting.

Bare in mind that small boutiques and accounting firms do like people with a "finance based degree".

Tbf I doubt I'll get onto the economics course anyway because it's probably full, I've took overlapping subjects which they advice against, and it's competitive to begin with but if not I might transfer to finance.

I'm curious why A&F beats economics for M&A? I've been told economics grads make up most of investment banking, consulting and corporate finance teams.

If I took the bsc finance, with all relevant accounting modules, I think I can get 6 exemptions which would be helpful. Plus I avoid any of the bsc vs ba nonsense, but I've asked to switch to economics purely because I was told by a few guys in big 4 that the big 4 prefer to train you in accounting and they favour history/economics grads in that sense (though there is no discrimination or favouritism with degrees in big 4 I don't think?)

In all honesty though it makes sense to me to pick the degree with the greatest flexibility if I'm young, and I could specialise if I do a masters. The fact that they have apprenticeships in audit etc. suggests a degree in accounting isn't relevant for that field, but the ACA is.
Original post by BenjaminSibson
Tbf I doubt I'll get onto the economics course anyway because it's probably full, I've took overlapping subjects which they advice against, and it's competitive to begin with but if not I might transfer to finance.

I'm curious why A&F beats economics for M&A? I've been told economics grads make up most of investment banking, consulting and corporate finance teams.

If I took the bsc finance, with all relevant accounting modules, I think I can get 6 exemptions which would be helpful. Plus I avoid any of the bsc vs ba nonsense, but I've asked to switch to economics purely because I was told by a few guys in big 4 that the big 4 prefer to train you in accounting and they favour history/economics grads in that sense (though there is no discrimination or favouritism with degrees in big 4 I don't think?)

In all honesty though it makes sense to me to pick the degree with the greatest flexibility if I'm young, and I could specialise if I do a masters. The fact that they have apprenticeships in audit etc. suggests a degree in accounting isn't relevant for that field, but the ACA is.

Economics grads make up a lot of those in IB/finance careers because of self selection. They are interested in finance/economics, so they take this as their degree, ultimately chasing a career in high finance

I’ve also read that Big4 prefer non-accounting degrees so they can train you in the way you like. But not sure about the accuracy of that only read that on here (by no means am I saying it’s untrue, just seems like speculation) but it does make sense as any degree has transferable skills

And there is no degree discrimination for getting onto the ACA - you could study anything from forestry to history to economics to apply. Far less university bias, as there is in IB, too

And yes you can always specialise postgrad if you want - but as you say the ACA is crucial for being an accountant, whereas an A&F degree is not

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