What is better to take into A-lvl`s (What is better for the university?)

Recently I got my GCSE grades. I got A both on Economics and Business studies, C on history, and unfortunately, D on Math (I am thinking about re-sit in October)

I am just thinking about what A-lvl`s I should take.
My current option is taking: German (I got high B in it), History (High C in GCSE), Economics... And the last one I don`t know. I am thinking it is either Accounting or Math.

I am thinking about getting into university degree which is related to Economics studies\Finance\Investment\Banking etc.

I just need to know what is better to take, to have better chances to get into uni.
I know that Math is probably much better, but since you already know the grade, I don`t really enjoy it.
Is there a way to get a good Accounting grade, and have almost same chances for the uni?
I am not thinking only about UK unies, but about EU uni`s too.

Thanks

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by icsa

Recently I got my GCSE grades. I got A both on Economics and Business studies, C on history, and unfortunately, D on Math (I am thinking about re-sit in October)
I am just thinking about what A-lvl`s I should take.
My current option is taking: German (I got high B in it), History (High C in GCSE), Economics... And the last one I don`t know. I am thinking it is either Accounting or Math.
I am thinking about getting into university degree which is related to Economics studies\Finance\Investment\Banking etc.
I just need to know what is better to take, to have better chances to get into uni.
I know that Math is probably much better, but since you already know the grade, I don`t really enjoy it.
Is there a way to get a good Accounting grade, and have almost same chances for the uni?
I am not thinking only about UK unies, but about EU uni`s too.
Thanks

I can't comment on EU unis, but for UK unis anything involving economics, finance, investment, banking, etc. would require Maths A Level.

If it's an accounting degree or joint accounting degree, you might be able to get away without needing maths. Then again, you don't need a degree to go into accounting (unless it's in the US) - you need the appropriate professional accounting qualification.

Do note, if you want to go into banking, finance, investments, you typically don't need a degree for most roles and you definitely don't need one in finance for any of them (I can comfortably say that for most countries out there).

Should you wish to become an economist, you're expected to have degrees in economics (should be applicable to most countries) - plural because you're expected to go into postgrad as well unless you do degree apprenticeships throughout. You can sometimes get in with a quantitative degree instead of economics, but then again you're looking at STEM subjects and most of them outside of life science require A Level Maths.

Reply 2

artful_lounger

Universities Forum Helper

A few things to point out.

Firstly investment banking is a profession, not a degree, and you can go into investment banking with any degree subject - however there is a strong preference for students to have gone to a target uni which will normally necessitate good grades.

Secondly economics at degree level is necessarily mathematical and would involve maths at and beyond A-level - even if A-level Maths isn't required for admission you would still cover that material in your first year and then use routinely throughout the degree that content. If you struggle with maths you simply should rule out economics as a degree subject as you would probably also struggle in that degree - you won't get into investment banking with a 2:2 or 3rd realistically anyway.

Finally, unis only require 3 A-levels and normally only make offers on the basis of 3 A-level grades - you don't get "bonus points" for taking extra A-levels and I would not suggest doing so unless 2 of the 4 are maths and further maths.

Based on what you've said I would not suggest aiming for a numerate degree (including economics), and I would also not suggest taking A-level History if you only got a C in the GCSE. It's hard to tell what else to suggest as you haven't said how you did in other GCSE subjects (e.g. sciences, English, other humanities or social sciences you may have taken) but I'd probably suggest.

Focus on choosing subjects aligning to your academic strengths and not trying to pick things you're weak in because it aligns with what you perceive to be the "correct" route to your goal (when in reality doing a degree in Viking and Old Norse Studies or anthropology or German & Management at a target uni would be absolutely fine to get you into investment banking, if that was what you were interested in and you were good at the relevant things for that course!).