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Further Maths or Chemistry A level? (with maths and economics)

Hi so im planning on doing economics or like an economics degree but having 0 knowledge or experience with the finance field wanna keep my options open (and need 3 a stars )
I was always going to do a level maths. After finishing gcse maths content im now doing an ad maths qualification (first year of a level maths) and generally find maths quite an easy subject.
But i dont like the physics side of maths or physics in general but i do like maths at the moment like normal maths so i have no idea whether i should take further maths, it does open more opportunities in the maths field and ive heard lots of unis like it.
And i quite like chemistry. It's a nice subject and i find it relatively easier compared to the others im taking at gcse but im wary about it not really being in the econ field.
Regarding what im better at, currently maths probably but im still get grade 9s in chem
but in my recent mocks i did get like 8 grade 9s or whatver (they reused questions from past papers for science) so it doesnt seem much of a deal and i dont know if im actually good at chemistry or memorising mark schemes/ recognising questions help
GCSE chemistry doesnt go into any depth and u only need to be familiar with exam tecnhique so i dont know if i will be good at it in a level where things are gonna be harder.
help sorry idk why this is so long but any advice would be appreciated
Reply 1
For an economics degree at a top uni such as Cambridge or LSE, you will practically need FM if your school offers it. Regarding the physics side of maths, I am assuming you mean mechanics? You can always take FM, ask your teachers what modules your school does for further maths, and if it is largely mechanics based, and you really find it bad, drop it afterwards. Chemistry isn’t too bad in year 12 at least, a lot of marks are calculation based, and if you spend time properly understanding the content, and doing past paper questions, you will be fine. If I were you, I would take Chemistry and Further Maths, as your 3rd and 4th options, assuming you are taking another subject, and you can drop either at any point depending on how you find it.
Reply 2
Further Maths if you are determined to do Econ at a top London Uni or Oxbridge. For other Unis, just Maths will be enough - they are not that fussed about A level Economics, and for your 3rd subject, all they will be interested in is the grade.
Undergraduate (lse.ac.uk) - "Further Mathematics at A-level is also desirable"
Undergraduate | School of Economics | University of Bristol
Undergraduate Courses - The University of Nottingham
Economics | Undergraduate study | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk)

If you are more inclined towards Chemistry, remember its available as a joint subject etc at degree level :
Chemistry with Management BSc (Hons) (bath.ac.uk)
Chemistry and Mathematics BSc | University of Leeds
Medicinal Chemistry | MChem | University of Southampton
Original post by McGinger
Further Maths if you are determined to do Econ at a top London Uni or Oxbridge. For other Unis, just Maths will be enough - they are not that fussed about A level Economics, and for your 3rd subject, all they will be interested in is the grade.
Undergraduate (lse.ac.uk) - "Further Mathematics at A-level is also desirable"
Undergraduate | School of Economics | University of Bristol
Undergraduate Courses - The University of Nottingham
Economics | Undergraduate study | Loughborough University (lboro.ac.uk)
If you are more inclined towards Chemistry, remember its available as a joint subject etc at degree level :
Chemistry with Management BSc (Hons) (bath.ac.uk)
Chemistry and Mathematics BSc | University of Leeds
Medicinal Chemistry | MChem | University of Southampton

Omg thank you so much this helped alottt thank youuuuy
For an economics degree at a top uni such as Cambridge or LSE, you will practically need FM if your school offers it. Regarding the physics side of maths, I am assuming you mean mechanics? You can always take FM, ask your teachers what modules your school does for further maths, and if it is largely mechanics based, and you really find it bad, drop it afterwards. Chemistry isn’t too bad in year 12 at least, a lot of marks are calculation based, and if you spend time properly understanding the content, and doing past paper questions, you will be fine. If I were you, I would take Chemistry and Further Maths, as your 3rd and 4th options, assuming you are taking another subject, and you can drop either at any point depending on how you find it.

Thank you ye I feel like deep down I know I'm gonna end up doing chem or something cuz fm seems too hard even if I feel like the initial bit is going well. Thanks. Although the top unis preferring fm is holding me back a bit...
Original post by shr_ya
Hi so im planning on doing economics or like an economics degree but having 0 knowledge or experience with the finance field wanna keep my options open (and need 3 a stars )
I was always going to do a level maths. After finishing gcse maths content im now doing an ad maths qualification (first year of a level maths) and generally find maths quite an easy subject.
But i dont like the physics side of maths or physics in general but i do like maths at the moment like normal maths so i have no idea whether i should take further maths, it does open more opportunities in the maths field and ive heard lots of unis like it.
And i quite like chemistry. It's a nice subject and i find it relatively easier compared to the others im taking at gcse but im wary about it not really being in the econ field.
Regarding what im better at, currently maths probably but im still get grade 9s in chem
but in my recent mocks i did get like 8 grade 9s or whatver (they reused questions from past papers for science) so it doesnt seem much of a deal and i dont know if im actually good at chemistry or memorising mark schemes/ recognising questions help
GCSE chemistry doesnt go into any depth and u only need to be familiar with exam tecnhique so i dont know if i will be good at it in a level where things are gonna be harder.
help sorry idk why this is so long but any advice would be appreciated

As above, FM is generally the better choice for an economics degree. It’s basically a requirement for top unis if your school offers it outright.

Having done both A level FM and Chemistry (both with the Edexcel exam board), I would agree chemistry is easier as it is very repetitive and so tends to be quite intuitive and quick to learn.

That said, there are some excellent resources for both subjects (especially for the OCR A and AQA syllabi for chemistry and the Edexcel syllabus for FM) and you can access plenty of help with either subject here on TSR. With regular practice and effective use of the aforementioned resources, either subject can become straightforward.

When you say the physics side of maths, I assume you refer to mechanics. You will have to do some mechanics in both years of ordinary A level maths and depending on what options your school offers for FM, you may or may not have to do some mechanics for it. I did FM1 and it was interesting, but I was rather crap at it myself (lol) and would say it is best avoided if you aren’t a fan of physics or mechanics. There are plenty of other options (including additional pure papers - but only for OCR and Edexcel, decision maths and further statistics) and so it is worth seeing which papers your intended sixth forms/ colleges make you take or allow you to choose from.

Another thing to consider is what sorts of things would you want to do after uni. I’ve known a few people to pursue degrees like economics, thinking they were the only way into finance related careers, only to realise there are plenty of other (surprising) options.
Original post by UtterlyUseless69
As above, FM is generally the better choice for an economics degree. It’s basically a requirement for top unis if your school offers it outright.
Having done both A level FM and Chemistry (both with the Edexcel exam board), I would agree chemistry is easier as it is very repetitive and so tends to be quite intuitive and quick to learn.
That said, there are some excellent resources for both subjects (especially for the OCR A and AQA syllabi for chemistry and the Edexcel syllabus for FM) and you can access plenty of help with either subject here on TSR. With regular practice and effective use of the aforementioned resources, either subject can become straightforward.
When you say the physics side of maths, I assume you refer to mechanics. You will have to do some mechanics in both years of ordinary A level maths and depending on what options your school offers for FM, you may or may not have to do some mechanics for it. I did FM1 and it was interesting, but I was rather crap at it myself (lol) and would say it is best avoided if you aren’t a fan of physics or mechanics. There are plenty of other options (including additional pure papers - but only for OCR and Edexcel, decision maths and further statistics) and so it is worth seeing which papers your intended sixth forms/ colleges make you take or allow you to choose from.
Another thing to consider is what sorts of things would you want to do after uni. I’ve known a few people to pursue degrees like economics, thinking they were the only way into finance related careers, only to realise there are plenty of other (surprising) options.

thank you so much! now im leaning towards fm
Original post by shr_ya
Hi so im planning on doing economics or like an economics degree but having 0 knowledge or experience with the finance field wanna keep my options open (and need 3 a stars )
I was always going to do a level maths. After finishing gcse maths content im now doing an ad maths qualification (first year of a level maths) and generally find maths quite an easy subject.
But i dont like the physics side of maths or physics in general but i do like maths at the moment like normal maths so i have no idea whether i should take further maths, it does open more opportunities in the maths field and ive heard lots of unis like it.
And i quite like chemistry. It's a nice subject and i find it relatively easier compared to the others im taking at gcse but im wary about it not really being in the econ field.
Regarding what im better at, currently maths probably but im still get grade 9s in chem
but in my recent mocks i did get like 8 grade 9s or whatver (they reused questions from past papers for science) so it doesnt seem much of a deal and i dont know if im actually good at chemistry or memorising mark schemes/ recognising questions help
GCSE chemistry doesnt go into any depth and u only need to be familiar with exam tecnhique so i dont know if i will be good at it in a level where things are gonna be harder.
help sorry idk why this is so long but any advice would be appreciated

Don't do chemsitry. FM imo is easier than CHEM.
Reply 8
Original post by shr_ya
Hi so im planning on doing economics or like an economics degree but having 0 knowledge or experience with the finance field wanna keep my options open (and need 3 a stars )
I was always going to do a level maths. After finishing gcse maths content im now doing an ad maths qualification (first year of a level maths) and generally find maths quite an easy subject.
But i dont like the physics side of maths or physics in general but i do like maths at the moment like normal maths so i have no idea whether i should take further maths, it does open more opportunities in the maths field and ive heard lots of unis like it.
And i quite like chemistry. It's a nice subject and i find it relatively easier compared to the others im taking at gcse but im wary about it not really being in the econ field.
Regarding what im better at, currently maths probably but im still get grade 9s in chem
but in my recent mocks i did get like 8 grade 9s or whatver (they reused questions from past papers for science) so it doesnt seem much of a deal and i dont know if im actually good at chemistry or memorising mark schemes/ recognising questions help
GCSE chemistry doesnt go into any depth and u only need to be familiar with exam tecnhique so i dont know if i will be good at it in a level where things are gonna be harder.
help sorry idk why this is so long but any advice would be appreciated

You pretty much need further if you're going for oxbridge.
Original post by 2000amber1
Don't do chemsitry. FM imo is easier than CHEM.
Oh really? How so? I thoight fm was like the hardest a level
Original post by NotRike
You pretty much need further if you're going for oxbridge.

Ugh but do unis really matter end of the day?
Reply 11
Original post by shr_ya
Ugh but do unis really matter end of the day?


....... Yes
Original post by shr_ya
Oh really? How so? I thoight fm was like the hardest a level

Idk it might j be my preference and listing out what you've said, FM would be a beter suit than chem , chem is an intense a level and ik ppl who do FM w Chem and find Chem by far harder
Original post by 2000amber1
Idk it might j be my preference and listing out what you've said, FM would be a beter suit than chem , chem is an intense a level and ik ppl who do FM w Chem and find Chem by far harder

Well, I would definitely say it’s your preference.

FM can be aced by memorising knowing a bunch of methods inside and out, when to apply them and just churning them out on command.

Chemistry can be aced by memorising a bunch of facts and understanding how to apply them. From my experience of mentoring A level chemistry, most students are fine with the first bit - it’s mostly the understanding bit that causes the most issues.

In general, I think more people’s learning styles are better suited to chemistry than FM and that’s at least in part why FM usually has lower grade boundaries than chemistry despite there being smaller number of takers for FM than chem.
(edited 2 months ago)
Original post by shr_ya
Ugh but do unis really matter end of the day?

I guess it depends to some extent.

If you want to study economics at Oxbridge/LSE, FM is essentially required, but do know that an economics degree isn’t necessary the only way into the finance sector (though some alternatives may limit where in the finance sector you can end up). I’ve known history students to become accountants, as ridiculous as it may sound.
Original post by 2000amber1
Don't do chemsitry. FM imo is easier than CHEM.

Cool thx
Original post by UtterlyUseless69
Well, I would definitely say it’s your preference.
FM can be aced by memorising knowing a bunch of methods inside and out, when to apply them and just churning them out on command.
Chemistry can be aced by memorising a bunch of facts and understanding how to apply them. From my experience of mentoring A level chemistry, most students are fine with the first bit - it’s mostly the understanding bit that causes the most issues.
In general, I think more people’s learning styles are better suited to chemistry than FM and that’s at least in part why FM usually has lower grade boundaries than chemistry despite there being smaller number of takers for FM than chem.

Oh ok cool thsnk you so much :smile:

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