Economics at University Help!!!!!!

1

I am looking at studying economics at uni and have a few questions. I am in yr 12 atm.
First off, I am currently studying Maths, Psychology and Geography. Will I be at a disadvantage for not studying economics? If so what can I do to make it not as much as a disadvantage?
Secondly, I feel like I have little to no extra curriculars. What are recommended that will stand out in my personal statement? Are things like volunteering worth it? I have done a few online work experience courses but that is it.
Finally, I need to find work experience. What is a good work experience for economics? Does anyone know any places in the Birmingham area?
Thank you in advance!!!

Reply 1

NazifaNawer

17

Original post

by illegitimate-inv

I am looking at studying economics at uni and have a few questions. I am in yr 12 atm.
First off, I am currently studying Maths, Psychology and Geography. Will I be at a disadvantage for not studying economics? If so what can I do to make it not as much as a disadvantage?
Secondly, I feel like I have little to no extra curriculars. What are recommended that will stand out in my personal statement? Are things like volunteering worth it? I have done a few online work experience courses but that is it.
Finally, I need to find work experience. What is a good work experience for economics? Does anyone know any places in the Birmingham area?
Thank you in advance!!!

Firstly, no you are not really losing anything for not having economics in A levels. Unis mainly require maths for economics courses so you are in a pretty good position. But, to get a good idea about what economics might be like, you might want to look at the econ specification or read the econ textbook. I would suggest you watch videos of EconPlusDal. His explanation for A level economics has made so many students love economics or pass their exams (including me!).

Secondly, for extracurriculars, you can participate in essay writing competitions where you will write economics essays. As for work experience, I guess jobs where you deal with numbers can be helpful. I am not from the UK so idk what kind of jobs you can do at your age but if you can then do jobs in bookkeeping or data entry. Or maybe do volunteering with organisations like banks or think tanks. Or internships with consulting firms.

Reply 2

EdgeHillStudents

Official Rep

13

Original post

by illegitimate-inv

I am looking at studying economics at uni and have a few questions. I am in yr 12 atm.
First off, I am currently studying Maths, Psychology and Geography. Will I be at a disadvantage for not studying economics? If so what can I do to make it not as much as a disadvantage?
Secondly, I feel like I have little to no extra curriculars. What are recommended that will stand out in my personal statement? Are things like volunteering worth it? I have done a few online work experience courses but that is it.
Finally, I need to find work experience. What is a good work experience for economics? Does anyone know any places in the Birmingham area?
Thank you in advance!!!

Hi @illegitimate-inv ! 😄

You can absolutely undertake a degree in economics with your chosen subjects so don’t worry about that!

In terms of personal statement, definitely include your work experience courses and relate it back to your chosen subject if you can. Volunteering is a great asset to your statement, even if it isn’t directly related to your subject.

I hope this helps!

Emily
Third year Creative Writing Student

Reply 3

wily-sunflower

14

yes, you should be good. some top unis do prefer further maths, but maths should do you fine for the most part! best of luck xxx

Reply 4

Lancaster Student Ambassador

Official Rep

18

Original post

by illegitimate-inv

I am looking at studying economics at uni and have a few questions. I am in yr 12 atm.
First off, I am currently studying Maths, Psychology and Geography. Will I be at a disadvantage for not studying economics? If so what can I do to make it not as much as a disadvantage?
Secondly, I feel like I have little to no extra curriculars. What are recommended that will stand out in my personal statement? Are things like volunteering worth it? I have done a few online work experience courses but that is it.
Finally, I need to find work experience. What is a good work experience for economics? Does anyone know any places in the Birmingham area?
Thank you in advance!!!

Hi @illegitimate-inv
For many economics courses, there are no prerequisites to study economics, therefore you can display your interest and passion to study economics in other ways through your personal statement. This can include super curricular activities around economics like MOOC'S, online lectures (Lancaster's can be found here: Public Lectures - Lancaster University), podcasts and reading around the subject of economics. This can give you the opportunity to dive deeper into a part of the subject your really intrested in and display this passion in your personal statement.
Hope this helps!
-Jasmine (Lancaster Student Ambassador)

Reply 5

jasmineva3128

17

As others have mentioned, you can still study economics at uni without having taken the a-level.

As for work experience, volunteering, and extracurriculars, there's a lot you could do, and these will help showcase your interest in economics without having studied it beforehand.

Here's my master list of what you could do:

● You could volunteer/ charge a small fee to help people (such as the elderly) or businesses with their finances.

● Get work experience with a business. If it is a business or job to do with economics, then that would be desirable.

● Take moocs (free online courses) about economics. Someone on The Student Room made a list of moocs for each subject/degree, as found here: https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=6531484

● Whilst kind of out of the box, you could join your school newspaper and write about economics.

● Read books, listen to podcasts, and watch videos and documentaries about economics and your a-level subjects.

● Whilst you would need to pay for this, you could take part in summer schools. Oxford Scholastica Academy does a business & enterprise course in Oxford ( https://www.oxfordscholastica.com/oxford-summer-school/business-enterprise-course/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzMi_BhACEiwAX4YZUP1kOBATvoSs69l71gsIrKsAwrgdKGJ_cOLy3kbEJYRjfMn581kkbRoCIIAQAvD_BwE ) and LSE offers an economics summer course ( https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/summer-schools/summer-school/courses/economics?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=ss_smrs_economics&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwzMi_BhACEiwAX4YZUDmjqSdIikQoqGDK5UQQmy8VunltVtWKD32QDms9pKZolqzwpDvGrxoCY2sQAvD_BwE ). These would provide you with good academic experience of economics.

● Enter economics writing competitions and other awards and competitions (such as maths olympiads).

If you have any more questions, please feel free to ask me. 😊

Reply 6

gjd800

20

Further maths would be a great help to you

(edited 10 months ago)

Economics at University Help!!!!!!

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