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economics vs management vs finance

So, I'm VERY confused about which of the 3 degrees I should choose to do. I want to work in consulting or finance, so I know it does not make sense to consider Econ, but I do prefer learning more about economics. Any tips?

Reply 1

Economics is very versatile. You can pretty much do anything with economics, and in my opinion, it’s more interesting than both finance and management.
Finance very much lacks theory, it’s more focused on memorisation, and I barely know anyone who works in finance and has a finance degree. I even know people who did geography, politics and English literature who got into the field, so I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to have a finance degree.
Many management degrees have many modules in other areas of study, including economics, finance, marketing and even law - however this is very brief and usually just the foundations, so don’t expect to become an expert at any of these things.
if you’re sure about wanting to work in either finance or consulting, then I would personally recommend management.
If you want a more versatile degree, I would say economics.

Reply 2

Original post
by sara_hasan
Economics is very versatile. You can pretty much do anything with economics, and in my opinion, it’s more interesting than both finance and management.
Finance very much lacks theory, it’s more focused on memorisation, and I barely know anyone who works in finance and has a finance degree. I even know people who did geography, politics and English literature who got into the field, so I wouldn’t say it’s necessary to have a finance degree.
Many management degrees have many modules in other areas of study, including economics, finance, marketing and even law - however this is very brief and usually just the foundations, so don’t expect to become an expert at any of these things.
if you’re sure about wanting to work in either finance or consulting, then I would personally recommend management.
If you want a more versatile degree, I would say economics.
Thank youuu Sara that’s so helpful <33

Reply 3

Original post
by Whocaresyyyy
So, I'm VERY confused about which of the 3 degrees I should choose to do. I want to work in consulting or finance, so I know it does not make sense to consider Econ, but I do prefer learning more about economics. Any tips?

Hi there,

If you’re aiming for a career in consulting or finance, it makes sense to feel torn, especially if you genuinely enjoy economics but also want a degree that aligns clearly with your career goals. The good news is that at LSBU, the courses within this area are designed to give you strong employability outcomes, professional accreditations and real-world experience, so you can’t really make a “wrong” choice, it’s more about which route fits your learning style and long-term plan.

If you're interested in the finance side, programmes like Accounting and Finance (MSc or PhD) are ideal if you want a more technical, numbers-driven path. The MSc offers professional accreditation and exemptions from bodies such as ACCA and CIMA, which is a huge advantage if you want to fast-track a career in accounting, financial analysis or auditing. These professional links also make LSBU one of the strongest practical choices for finance-focused students.

If you like the idea of consulting, management or international business, then International Business Management (MSc) or Project Management (MSc), both available with or without an internship option, give you a wider skill set. These courses are aligned with industry bodies and project-management standards, helping you build leadership, strategy and analytical skills that are highly valued in consulting. Project Management is particularly strong if you enjoy structured problem-solving and want clear, transferable experience.

If your passion truly sits with understanding how economies behave and how organisations operate, then exploring a Management, Marketing and People PhD or a Business and Enterprise PhD could be ideal long-term research routes, especially if you see yourself entering academia, consulting research roles, or policy-related fields.

LSBU is a fantastic place to study these subjects because of our strong professional accreditations, practical teaching, and industry connections across London. Being located in central London, minutes from the South Bank, financial district, Waterloo and major transport links, gives you direct access to internships, networking, corporate events and real consulting/finance exposure. On top of that, LSBU offers some of the most affordable accommodation in central London, which is a major advantage in the capital.

If you’d like to chat with current LSBU students about which pathway they chose and why, you can also speak to them directly on our Unibuddy platform, they’re always happy to share honest insights and advice.

👉 You can chat with our students through our Unibuddy platform: Chat with our students.

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