A levels for marketing

I'm choosing my a levels as I type this, and I'm thinking of going for economics, media and computer science, however I didn't manage to do computer science or business (it wasn't an option for us) as a GCSE. I'm looking to go into marketing within Formula 1 and I'm planning on doing my EPQ about it to prove I have a deep level of knowledge about it. I'm not sure about computer science, please let me know if I should switch it up with something else, and what the best option would be (apart from english lit).

Reply 1

McGinger

Are you planning on a Uni degree - what subject?
Or an apprenticeship - any ideas?

Reply 2

Emma:-)

Entertainment Forum Helper

Original post by Navthegreatest

Are you planning on going to uni after?
If so, check the courses on unis websites to see what a-level subjects they specify. That will help you choose. If they dont specify any particular subjects (or they only specify 1 particular subject) and instead they specify certain grades, then what subjects you choose is up to you. Pick the subjects that you will enjoy most and get the best grades in.
If you are going down another route (e.g. apprenticeship) then they usually specify certain grades (e.g. 3 a-levels and at least 5 gcse's of certain grades) so pick whichever subjects you will enjoy most and get the best grades in.
How about english literature?

Reply 3

Kingston Yasmin

Official Rep

Original post by Navthegreatest

Hi @Navthegreatest

That's great that you have a plan for your future and that your EPQ shows your interest!! For going into Marketing, are you planning on going to university to study this first or into an apprenticeship? If you are planning to go to university first, as long as you have grades that are accepted by your course- taking totally specific a levels doesn't matter as much, especially with the help of your EPQ. With a degree in marketing and a combination of good a level grades, you will be definitely a good contender.

Taking economics and media points to marketing already so taking computer science wouldn't set you back, especially if you are interested in this it can actually help you to stand out!

I hope this helped :smile:

-Yasmin (Kingston Rep)

Reply 4

username6081443

You should target a degree apprenticeship programme rather than just going to university to study Marketing, as there a lot of Marketing graduates. If you want to take a course then do Engineering Management at Loughborough or Motorsport Engineering at Oxford Brookes, as you will understand the key aspects of F1 and can do internships with the Marketing team at an F1 team to learn Marketing!

Focus your efforts on one sector, that is of interest. Some sectors will look for this from the get-go ie Fashion, Real Estate, Finance, Insurance, and Law.

Best A-levels (pick 3 or 4), Maths, Further Maths, Computer Science, Physics, Economics, Accounting, English Literature, Psychology, Modern Languages, and History.

(See https://www.ncclondon.ac.uk/news/can-you-guess-which-are-the-highest-paying-subjects/#:~:text=STEM%20subjects%20dominate,in%20first%20and%20second%20place. )

Economics, History, Accounting, and if you want to do a 4th Maths/Languages/English - these will open up a great range of marketing careers. English Literature, History, and Modern Language A-levels are rated far higher than Media. A-level Media will harm your chance of getting a career in F1, and it will definitely reduce your life-time earning potential. Instead of doing an A-level in Media set-up your own blog, as that is far better. Also, look at Design and Technology (systems and control) instead of Media.

Formula 1 is very competitive to get into, so you need to focus on the 'facilitating' A-levels, and avoid those that aren't.

Formula 1 - look at PR route if you are not quantitative. If you are a quant then they'll love if you do Maths, Physics, and History/English/Languages as you can translate technical details into interesting stories. https://physicsofformula1.wordpress.com/the-basics/

Formula 1 universities to target -
a) Oxford Brookes and Loughborough (look at their Engineering Management degree). These are THE Formula 1 sector's target universities,
b) The universities located at the heart of UK's automotive and motorsports: Aston, Birmingham, Warwick, Bristol, UWE, Coventry, Hertfordshire, and Nottingham, so obviously have strong links.
c) Others with links to the sector: Surrey (McLaren), Sussex (Rolls Royce), Sheffield, Cardiff, Glasgow, Southampton (many F1 teams have engineering staff from this uni), Newcastle and Durham - especially for Motorsport journalism.
d) Also consider - https://www.utc-silverstone.co.uk/

West Midlands, East Midlands, and Avon are the key locations for motorsports. Post-graduate - Cranfield University, and or Oxford Brookes.

Key is your work experience and your work ethic. Create a portfolio of your internships and work experience:

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Secure motorsport-related work placement as part of your degree

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Volunteer for a race team and part-time in-term work for a formula 1 company

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Marshalling, which gives you access to the paddock and a close-up look at F1 life

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Applying for an apprenticeship program

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Get a motorsport driving licence and do go-carting (its relatively cheap to do and you develop a sponsorship scheme...and add details about races on your blog)...

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....and target university departments that are involved with Formula Student (https://www.imeche.org/events/formula-student and look at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formula_Student - note which companies are involved and who supports it!!!)....get involved it is possibly one of the networking methods for Formula !!!

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Create a motorsport blog, and try and engage drivers, team managers, and engineers - this will make you come across as a phenomenal candidate

Marketing is becoming on one side (a) quantitative (hence Maths, Physics, Computer Science, and Economics are recommended), and on the other side (b) it is about engaging, persuading and communicating to an audience (hence English, History, Modern Languages, and Economics).

Fact: 2 STEM subjects at A-level will increase your employability and life-time earning potential. Maths and Physics are phenomenally useful if you can apply the concepts to other fields, such as Economics, PR, and even Journalism. Marketing Mix Modelling is increasingly being used to drive targeting. It is complex, so an A-level in Maths, Further Maths, or Physics would help future-proof you. See https://developers.google.com/meridian/docs/basics/about-the-project

If you are thinking about going to university regardless of where ask them if they give an introductory course to discuss MMM and MTA. If you can do a joint honours degree rather than a single honours degree. Ideally do Marketing with either do Accounting, Languages (French (Renault), Italian (Ferrari), and German (Red Bull and Mercedes)), Economics, Statistics, Management Science, Computer Science, or Journalism. Joint degrees tend to be more employable.