The Student Room Group

A-level subjects change - help ASAP‼️

I'm currently taking accountancy,maths,economics,business and I'd like to swap accountancy,buisness to history,politics. I'm planning to apply to econ esp Cambridge and LSE. It's a safe decision ryt? Because I need to inform my school as soon as I can

Reply 1

I would recomend doing that as history and politics are much more respected a levels compared to buisness and accountancy so if I was you I would let the school know as soon as possible. Also if the school would let you you might want to think about taking further maths instead of buisness and accounting as most econ applicants to cambridge and lse will have maths and further maths as the courses are insanely competetive and require really good maths skills.

Reply 2

Thanks! I'm an International student so I'm having people saying the history won't be related as I won't be learning British history and that history and politics have no connection to econ or finance. Also that business is way smarter choice.

Reply 3

Smart decision given your high aspirations, maybe consider only doing 3 if that's an option, especially given youll need to catch up rapidly on missed content and 4 a levels gives you no advantage. For econ at top unis you need to strongly consider doing further maths as a fourth instead as its highly desired, preferred or required by a lot of top unis for econ in the UK.
Original post
by _wasi_
I'm currently taking accountancy,maths,economics,business and I'd like to swap accountancy,buisness to history,politics. I'm planning to apply to econ esp Cambridge and LSE. It's a safe decision ryt? Because I need to inform my school as soon as I can


You don't need four A levels. Consider taking just maths, further maths and economics. Some Cambridge colleges require further maths for econ. LSE's website states:

Further Mathematics at A-level is also desirable, and is acceptable for entry in combination with Mathematics and one other A-level. In these cases we'd prefer that the third A-level should be an essay-based subject. If you take four or more full A-levels, you’ll be expected to achieve A* A A (with A* in Mathematics), and a pass in the fourth A-level. We understand that not all schools/colleges offer Further Mathematics and you won’t be disadvantaged as a result please could you and/or your referees indicate this on your application form.

Reply 5

Original post
by normaw
You don't need four A levels. Consider taking just maths, further maths and economics. Some Cambridge colleges require further maths for econ. LSE's website states:
Further Mathematics at A-level is also desirable, and is acceptable for entry in combination with Mathematics and one other A-level. In these cases we'd prefer that the third A-level should be an essay-based subject. If you take four or more full A-levels, you’ll be expected to achieve A* A A (with A* in Mathematics), and a pass in the fourth A-level. We understand that not all schools/colleges offer Further Mathematics and you won’t be disadvantaged as a result please could you and/or your referees indicate this on your application form.


Thank you but im an international student so I don't have that option. Would you recommend taking maths, econ,history,business or maths,econ,history,politics. I'd be choosing math,econ,history for my predicted though
Original post
by _wasi_
I'm currently taking accountancy,maths,economics,business and I'd like to swap accountancy,buisness to history,politics. I'm planning to apply to econ esp Cambridge and LSE. It's a safe decision ryt? Because I need to inform my school as soon as I can

If you want to swap then i would swap.
Those subjects are fine.

Reply 7

Original post
by DerDracologe
Smart decision given your high aspirations, maybe consider only doing 3 if that's an option, especially given youll need to catch up rapidly on missed content and 4 a levels gives you no advantage. For econ at top unis you need to strongly consider doing further maths as a fourth instead as its highly desired, preferred or required by a lot of top unis for econ in the UK.


Thank you but im an international student so I don't have that option. Would you recommend taking maths, econ,history,business or maths,econ,history,politics. I'd be choosing math,econ,history for my predicted though
Original post
by _wasi_
Thank you but im an international student so I don't have that option. Would you recommend taking maths, econ,history,business or maths,econ,history,politics. I'd be choosing math,econ,history for my predicted though


Do you mean you have to take four A-levels? As your fourth A level won't be counted (or as with LSE they just want a pass), I'd be tempted to keep business and pick just one new subject that you have the best chance of getting that high grade.

Reply 9

Original post
by _wasi_
Thank you but im an international student so I don't have that option. Would you recommend taking maths, econ,history,business or maths,econ,history,politics. I'd be choosing math,econ,history for my predicted though

That makes sense 🙂 Just make sure that your ucas referee states on your reference that you did not have the option to take further maths
It wont matter which you take from politics or business, so just take whichever you think youll enjoy more! If you haven’t learnt politics in school before it might be worth looking through the spec to see if it suits you. It would mean that you’d have less to catch up on if you only take 1 new subject though which is preferable ofc!
Yes, make sure that when/if you drop a subject that you dont end up with the combo of business and econ in your combination of 3 subjects as some unis consider them to be too similar
(edited 2 months ago)

Reply 10

Original post
by _wasi_
Thanks! I'm an International student so I'm having people saying the history won't be related as I won't be learning British history and that history and politics have no connection to econ or finance. Also that business is way smarter choice.

Business and Econ are not recommended to be taken together anyway - some unis don't like this.

Quick Reply