The Student Room Group

Geography vs Economics for HSPS degree

Hi all,

I’m a y11 student and I’m trying to formulate a rough idea on what A levels I want to do.

HSPS at Cambridge recommends English lit, History and a language but will take on people with a much greater range of subjects.

I’m pretty certain on taking Eng lit and French (maybe an EPQ as well but I’ll wait to make that call further down the line).

I’m just really stumped on my third A level choice. I’m not considering History but I’m interested in both economics and geography. I take geography at gcse, I’m currently on an 8 but am aiming for a 9 in the final exam. Find it very interesting. No clue if I’m any good at economics but I’m interested in current affairs, am involved in the political scene and have read a few books about it etc. I find the two subjects equally as interesting as one another.

Long story short I’m stumped on which to take at A level. The other option is I drop French, do English lit, economics and geography and instead do a French qualification outside of college, but that’s only a thought.

I’ve looked into other A levels and what they entail, along with other uni courses. Whilst this course would be my dream I understand that my A levels have to suit my other options at the likes of LSE, Birmingham, Warwick and wherever else I like the look of by the time I turn 18.

For context I think I’ll likely try and go into media or the political scene one way or another if that’s useful to bare in mind.

If you need to know anything else to help me then please just ask 🙂. I’d really appreciate the help.
Just out of interest, what would you be looking to study at LSE, Warwick, Birmingham etc? I'm assuming Politics, but I want to know...
Reply 2
Original post by Florizan_Banks
Just out of interest, what would you be looking to study at LSE, Warwick, Birmingham etc? I'm assuming Politics, but I want to know...
There’s too many to list as I’m not settled yet and probably won’t be for a while. I find the ‘politics and international relations’ courses at those unis interesting, but also anything from social anthropology to geography to environmental sustainability, I genuinely have no idea. This is the problem I’ve got, cause some of those courses would clearly prefer geography, but the others economics. I’m mainly focussed on the HSPS course at Cambridge though as I’ve not seen another course quite like it elsewhere.
I would say that Geography would make your options a bit more open, but really whatever subjects you choose are fine for what you want to do
Reply 4
Original post by Florizan_Banks
I would say that Geography would make your options a bit more open, but really whatever subjects you choose are fine for what you want to do

Yeah this is the problem 😭 it honestly feels like a coin toss.
Original post by Sam24Ad_
Yeah this is the problem 😭 it honestly feels like a coin toss.

They are only suggesting 'one of' those three. Do you have the option of Politics? French, Politics and Geography would work and give options. Economics without Maths might not be as flexible post-undergrad.
Original post by Sam24Ad_
Hi all,

I’m a y11 student and I’m trying to formulate a rough idea on what A levels I want to do.

HSPS at Cambridge recommends English lit, History and a language but will take on people with a much greater range of subjects.

I’m pretty certain on taking Eng lit and French (maybe an EPQ as well but I’ll wait to make that call further down the line).

I’m just really stumped on my third A level choice. I’m not considering History but I’m interested in both economics and geography. I take geography at gcse, I’m currently on an 8 but am aiming for a 9 in the final exam. Find it very interesting. No clue if I’m any good at economics but I’m interested in current affairs, am involved in the political scene and have read a few books about it etc. I find the two subjects equally as interesting as one another.

Long story short I’m stumped on which to take at A level. The other option is I drop French, do English lit, economics and geography and instead do a French qualification outside of college, but that’s only a thought.

I’ve looked into other A levels and what they entail, along with other uni courses. Whilst this course would be my dream I understand that my A levels have to suit my other options at the likes of LSE, Birmingham, Warwick and wherever else I like the look of by the time I turn 18.

For context I think I’ll likely try and go into media or the political scene one way or another if that’s useful to bare in mind.

If you need to know anything else to help me then please just ask 🙂. I’d really appreciate the help.


Either of the two is fine. If you like geography and do well in it, I'd suggest sticking with it! :smile: As above if you are less keen on a language you don't need to pursue one. If you enjoy and do well in French by all means continue with it, but if you're less enthused by it and would rather do economics that's perfectly reasonable. As noted though you likely won't be continuing to any kind of economics degree without A-level Maths, but that doesn't seem to a consideration if you're more interested in politics/sociology/anthropology/similar (as all of those degrees don't have any subject requirements and any combination of traditionally academic subjects - which all the subjects you're considering are - are perfectly suitable preparation).

Quick Reply