Why is Econ for uni so hard to get

I'ma year 13 student who just got all my uni offers back, and wtf.

My predicted grades are:
A* in Economics, Maths, Spanish
A in Physics and EPQ

I got into Bath and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford (I ****ed my interview so fair enough), Warwick and St Andrews. I know that I don't do FM but still, I find getting rejected from ST andrews that literally asks for 3 As is insane. Does anyone relate?

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Reply 1

upthechels

I got similar! Predicted 3A* in Maths, Chemistry and Geography (school doesnt offer FM or Econ), and got into bath (firmed!), Exeter and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford post interview and Warwick as well. Are you going to bath?

Reply 2

Jjsjjsjssjsj

Original post by upthechels

Yeah I'm firming it too! I'm actually pretty happy with Bath I was just peeved abt ST Andrews. I love how its a sporty uni

Reply 3

lawofducks123

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

I'ma year 13 student who just got all my uni offers back, and wtf.
My predicted grades are:
A* in Economics, Maths, Spanish
A in Physics and EPQ
I got into Bath and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford (I ****ed my interview so fair enough), Warwick and St Andrews. I know that I don't do FM but still, I find getting rejected from ST andrews that literally asks for 3 As is insane. Does anyone relate?

It seems like STEM subjects were very competitive this year with applications. In regards to economics specifically, I think it is likely a degree that is perceived to lead to high paying city jobs, such as in finance, so is probably an in demand degree from people who are studying maths A-Level and hope to earn a reasonable amount. Given all this, congrats on getting some good offers! I've seen several people online who were rejected from everywhere despite good grades.

Reply 4

BenRyan99

Careers Forum Helper

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

I'ma year 13 student who just got all my uni offers back, and wtf.
My predicted grades are:
A* in Economics, Maths, Spanish
A in Physics and EPQ
I got into Bath and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford (I ****ed my interview so fair enough), Warwick and St Andrews. I know that I don't do FM but still, I find getting rejected from ST andrews that literally asks for 3 As is insane. Does anyone relate?

I think there are a few things going on here. First, the lack of FM limits the chances of acceptance at the top tier econ courses (Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick).

The second is that what unis ask for is the minimum entry requirements, rather than the average - the standard accepted individual tends to achieve much higher grades than the minimum entry requirements for in-demand courses like Warwick and St Andrews (the Scottish factor also comes into play for the latter).

Third, ultimately econ is just one of the most popular subjects and so will naturally be more competitive than most other subjects.

But the important thing is that Bath is still very good for Econ. While the uni may not be quite as prestigious as St Andrews, I really don't think there's anything to suggest that the course is less good (it may even be better). Obviously it's a bit subjective but I think most would consider Bath to be a much better place to live as a student. Finally, Bath has arguably the best placement year scheme for its economics students out there, and Bath grads typically still place pretty well in economics/finance related careers. So you're not in a bad position, even if the high level of competition for econ is a bit frustrating when you see people get into Oxbridge for less popular courses on A's and B's.

Reply 5

Jjsjjsjssjsj

Original post by BenRyan99

I think there are a few things going on here. First, the lack of FM limits the chances of acceptance at the top tier econ courses (Oxbridge, LSE, UCL, Warwick).
The second is that what unis ask for is the minimum entry requirements, rather than the average - the standard accepted individual tends to achieve much higher grades than the minimum entry requirements for in-demand courses like Warwick and St Andrews (the Scottish factor also comes into play for the latter).
Third, ultimately econ is just one of the most popular subjects and so will naturally be more competitive than most other subjects.
But the important thing is that Bath is still very good for Econ. While the uni may not be quite as prestigious as St Andrews, I really don't think there's anything to suggest that the course is less good (it may even be better). Obviously it's a bit subjective but I think most would consider Bath to be a much better place to live as a student. Finally, Bath has arguably the best placement year scheme for its economics students out there, and Bath grads typically still place pretty well in economics/finance related careers. So you're not in a bad position, even if the high level of competition for econ is a bit frustrating when you see people get into Oxbridge for less popular courses on A's and B's.

Yeah, I really like the placement year option they offer, I actually got in for Econ with placement year lol. Your reply makes me feel better about Bath

Reply 6

Femaiden

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

I'ma year 13 student who just got all my uni offers back, and wtf.
My predicted grades are:
A* in Economics, Maths, Spanish
A in Physics and EPQ
I got into Bath and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford (I ****ed my interview so fair enough), Warwick and St Andrews. I know that I don't do FM but still, I find getting rejected from ST andrews that literally asks for 3 As is insane. Does anyone relate?

St Andrews has low grades for a standard offer, the people who actually get in have a higher average UCAS tariff than any other uni in the UK though.

Reply 7

missling40

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

I'ma year 13 student who just got all my uni offers back, and wtf.
My predicted grades are:
A* in Economics, Maths, Spanish
A in Physics and EPQ
I got into Bath and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford (I ****ed my interview so fair enough), Warwick and St Andrews. I know that I don't do FM but still, I find getting rejected from ST andrews that literally asks for 3 As is insane. Does anyone relate?

Hii I can relate. A*A*A (A in fm), 11 9s and an A (fsmq) at gcse, rejected from cambridge, lse, ucl, kings and an offer from manchester (all for straight econ). I have friends who got in with A*A*A (A in econ) and lower gcses than me for lse so now I'm distraught and trying to accept the possibility of a gap year.

Reply 8

keep improving

Original post by missling40

the A in fm may be a hindering factor. For econ, fm is more important than econ a level. However, surprised you could not get an offer from kings

Reply 9

missling40

Original post by keep improving

the A in fm may be a hindering factor. For econ, fm is more important than econ a level. However, surprised you could not get an offer from kings

Yeah I totally agree, I think that's exactly why I was rejected too cos like at degree level econ degrees are mostly maths especially lse. Kinda annoying tho cos I was 1 mark off an A* and had just dropped my 4th subject but my teacher refused to boost me since "not even Oxbridge will expect you to have an A* in further maths". 💀 Time to prove everyone wrong and get the grades 💪

Reply 10

leyito43

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

I'ma year 13 student who just got all my uni offers back, and wtf.
My predicted grades are:
A* in Economics, Maths, Spanish
A in Physics and EPQ
I got into Bath and Lancaster but rejected from Oxford (I ****ed my interview so fair enough), Warwick and St Andrews. I know that I don't do FM but still, I find getting rejected from ST andrews that literally asks for 3 As is insane. Does anyone relate?

Bath is still very good for economics especially for employment opportunities with the placement year. One thing I can recommend tho is reapplying to other unis once u get ur grades. I did this with A*A*A and got unconditional pffers from Warwick, LSE and Bath. Still might choose bath tho because it’s so nice there and it’s good for sport.

Reply 11

missling40

Original post by leyito43

If you don't mind me asking, what was the A in? I'm thinking of reapplying if I meet my predicted A*A*A but idk if they'll view it differently since I did get rejected with those grades

Reply 12

leyito43

Original post by missling40

If you don't mind me asking, what was the A in? I'm thinking of reapplying if I meet my predicted A*A*A but idk if they'll view it differently since I did get rejected with those grades

I got the A in maths, so I think bath is a bit more lenient on the maths side for Econ. I also got an offer for geog Econ at LSE with the A in maths too so it’s not the end of the world if u don’t get the A*

Reply 13

thegeek888

Original post by missling40

It sounds like your UCAS Personal Statement was not as competitive as other applicants perhaps? 😧

Reply 14

Jjsjjsjssjsj

Original post by thegeek888

It sounds like your UCAS Personal Statement was not as competitive as other applicants perhaps? 😧

nah its cuz he only does 3 a levels. With FM you're expected to do 4. My school makes everyone doing it do 4 a levels minimum.

Reply 15

missling40

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

nah its cuz he only does 3 a levels. With FM you're expected to do 4. My school makes everyone doing it do 4 a levels minimum.

I have a friend who did the same combo as me and got into LSE and Warwick econ. The only difference is that my A was in further maths and not in econ like theirs was. But I do think doing FM you are also expected to do 4 too, yes, but if you only have 3 they expect you to have even higher grades in FM - something I did not realise when applying.

Reply 16

missling40

Original post by thegeek888

It sounds like your UCAS Personal Statement was not as competitive as other applicants perhaps? 😧

Here is why I think it is not my PS but my grades: Cambridge implied it was so in my rejection email. By comparing stats with a friend, I think LSE was FM grade too especially because they rejected me quite late (May). Upon looking at offer spreadsheets, everyone who got into UCL econ has like 4A*s so I think it was because subjects + further maths grade once again.

Reply 17

Jjsjjsjssjsj

Original post by JVorJrose

that, is freaking cold lol hahaha nahhh man tbh I would've said llow them inih but I completely lost it when they said
"you have a great opportunity to join a prestigious institution without the sky-high entry hurdles."
like my g, the reason why actual prestigious universities are presitigious is, well for one, because of their high entry requirements, it serves as a barrier to entry else anyone could just enter😂😂

fr. I tried to get their spam comment out of my thread but mine got deleted instead 😀

Reply 18

JVorJrose

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

fr. I tried to get their spam comment out of my thread but mine got deleted instead 😀

HAHAHA LITERALLY BRO IKRRRR MY ORIGINAL POST JUST LIKE NOW JUST, LITERALLY GOT DELETED TOO lmao that is acc some next joke nahhh I won't have it

Reply 19

JVorJrose

Original post by Jjsjjsjssjsj

fr. I tried to get their spam comment out of my thread but mine got deleted instead 😀

Essex is NOT a prestigious uni though? Tf? I mean If Oxford Cambridge Durham St. Andrews Bath Imperial King's LSE UCL Edinburgh Bristol and Warwick are prestigious– not even Exeter; Then how on God's Earth can Essex be prestigious? It's like saying Surrey is prestigious for crying out loud these are clearing universities. This post will prolly get deleted again but Idc I'm only responding right now because my original post got deleted.