Help choosing a course
1
So for reference I do maths, physics and history. I know I want to do economics but I want to do economics with something else. It is either between data science and history for me.
The appeal for data science is that I feel like it would prepare me with the skills demanded in finance and I also enjoy python and programming. I also did an EPQ around AI so that might link to it. It's also maths based which I really liked.
Then again I want to do history because I've always enjoyed it but i don't know whether I have enough drive or passion for it to justify doing it for university. I also don't fully understand how job prospects doing this job would be like because whilst a lot of the jobs are similar to that if I choose data science, wouldn't it just be much easier to pick data science then.
I am also undecided on what job I want to pursue.
I also have the headache of my parents manipulating me into staying close to home and not going far. It has messed with me brain and now I don't know what I want. Neither courses I have spoken about are offered in universities that near to me. My parents want me to live at home and maybe I'm being manipulated but I don't want to regret not going far. I live near to Birmingham.
In my head, my grades aren't great either (maybe because I am at a grammar school, a stark difference to my below average comprehensive) but I got an A*AB which I'm not convinced is competitive enough.
I don't know what I am asking but perhaps some clarity on what to do. I have somewhat of a personal statement for both courses and it's due this Friday at my school.
I don't fully know what this sub is like but please don't come for me about my lack of clarity.
The appeal for data science is that I feel like it would prepare me with the skills demanded in finance and I also enjoy python and programming. I also did an EPQ around AI so that might link to it. It's also maths based which I really liked.
Then again I want to do history because I've always enjoyed it but i don't know whether I have enough drive or passion for it to justify doing it for university. I also don't fully understand how job prospects doing this job would be like because whilst a lot of the jobs are similar to that if I choose data science, wouldn't it just be much easier to pick data science then.
I am also undecided on what job I want to pursue.
I also have the headache of my parents manipulating me into staying close to home and not going far. It has messed with me brain and now I don't know what I want. Neither courses I have spoken about are offered in universities that near to me. My parents want me to live at home and maybe I'm being manipulated but I don't want to regret not going far. I live near to Birmingham.
In my head, my grades aren't great either (maybe because I am at a grammar school, a stark difference to my below average comprehensive) but I got an A*AB which I'm not convinced is competitive enough.
I don't know what I am asking but perhaps some clarity on what to do. I have somewhat of a personal statement for both courses and it's due this Friday at my school.
I don't fully know what this sub is like but please don't come for me about my lack of clarity.
Reply 1
1) Explore both History and Data science at degree level- take some online courses and do some wider reading in each subject area to see what interests you more, look at the modules available on econ joint honours courses and see what suits you better
2) Look at sites like unifrog and prospects to see what careers people who do history and data science typically end up in, see which you feel would suit you and your skills better
3) Go to some open days and ask any questions you have, attend lectures etc to see what engages you more
4) Mostly tailor your ps to econ and add an amount about history but relate to econ if possible and discuss your epq or something relating to data science, again linking to econ. Unis will know that if youre applying to a joint honours course you may be applying to a single honours elsewhere so they may be quite lenient with this kind of thing.
5) When choosing your courses to apply to, go with a range of options. Given your predicteds you could go with one option for each of econ and history and econ and data science at around A*AA-AAA and then one for each at AAB and one below that (maybe BBB) or something like that. That way, if you choose one other the other later youll still have a firm and insurance hopefully
2) Look at sites like unifrog and prospects to see what careers people who do history and data science typically end up in, see which you feel would suit you and your skills better
3) Go to some open days and ask any questions you have, attend lectures etc to see what engages you more
4) Mostly tailor your ps to econ and add an amount about history but relate to econ if possible and discuss your epq or something relating to data science, again linking to econ. Unis will know that if youre applying to a joint honours course you may be applying to a single honours elsewhere so they may be quite lenient with this kind of thing.
5) When choosing your courses to apply to, go with a range of options. Given your predicteds you could go with one option for each of econ and history and econ and data science at around A*AA-AAA and then one for each at AAB and one below that (maybe BBB) or something like that. That way, if you choose one other the other later youll still have a firm and insurance hopefully
Reply 2
20
Look at more data-focussed courses like
BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics - LSE
BSc Economics and Econometrics | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
BSc Economics and Data Science | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ) | Prospective Students Undergraduate - UCL – University College London
BSc Econometrics and Mathematical Economics - LSE
BSc Economics and Econometrics | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
BSc Economics and Data Science | Study at Bristol | University of Bristol
Economics and Statistics BSc (Econ) | Prospective Students Undergraduate - UCL – University College London
Reply 3
Original post
by jkhhSo for reference I do maths, physics and history. I know I want to do economics but I want to do economics with something else. It is either between data science and history for me.
The appeal for data science is that I feel like it would prepare me with the skills demanded in finance and I also enjoy python and programming. I also did an EPQ around AI so that might link to it. It's also maths based which I really liked.
Then again I want to do history because I've always enjoyed it but i don't know whether I have enough drive or passion for it to justify doing it for university. I also don't fully understand how job prospects doing this job would be like because whilst a lot of the jobs are similar to that if I choose data science, wouldn't it just be much easier to pick data science then.
I am also undecided on what job I want to pursue.
I also have the headache of my parents manipulating me into staying close to home and not going far. It has messed with me brain and now I don't know what I want. Neither courses I have spoken about are offered in universities that near to me. My parents want me to live at home and maybe I'm being manipulated but I don't want to regret not going far. I live near to Birmingham.
In my head, my grades aren't great either (maybe because I am at a grammar school, a stark difference to my below average comprehensive) but I got an A*AB which I'm not convinced is competitive enough.
I don't know what I am asking but perhaps some clarity on what to do. I have somewhat of a personal statement for both courses and it's due this Friday at my school.
I don't fully know what this sub is like but please don't come for me about my lack of clarity.
The appeal for data science is that I feel like it would prepare me with the skills demanded in finance and I also enjoy python and programming. I also did an EPQ around AI so that might link to it. It's also maths based which I really liked.
Then again I want to do history because I've always enjoyed it but i don't know whether I have enough drive or passion for it to justify doing it for university. I also don't fully understand how job prospects doing this job would be like because whilst a lot of the jobs are similar to that if I choose data science, wouldn't it just be much easier to pick data science then.
I am also undecided on what job I want to pursue.
I also have the headache of my parents manipulating me into staying close to home and not going far. It has messed with me brain and now I don't know what I want. Neither courses I have spoken about are offered in universities that near to me. My parents want me to live at home and maybe I'm being manipulated but I don't want to regret not going far. I live near to Birmingham.
In my head, my grades aren't great either (maybe because I am at a grammar school, a stark difference to my below average comprehensive) but I got an A*AB which I'm not convinced is competitive enough.
I don't know what I am asking but perhaps some clarity on what to do. I have somewhat of a personal statement for both courses and it's due this Friday at my school.
I don't fully know what this sub is like but please don't come for me about my lack of clarity.
Hi there,
It sounds like you’ve got a lot on your mind, and that’s completely understandable — choosing a course and thinking about family expectations can feel overwhelming. I’ll break things down so you can see your options more clearly.
Economics with Data Science
•
Great if you enjoy maths, coding and analytical thinking.
•
Very strong career prospects in finance, consulting.
•
Your experience with Python and your EPQ on AI would genuinely support this path.
•
Still a solid combination. History develops writing, research, critical thinking and argumentation.
•
Graduates from history-based degrees go into law, civil service, teaching, journalism, consulting and more.
•
But the career pathways aren’t as immediately defined as something like data science. You don’t need a history degree to study history forever, but you do need interest and motivation to commit to it at degree level.
“I don’t know what job I want yet” — and that’s okay
Most students don’t know. University isn’t only about training for one job — it’s about discovering what you enjoy and what you’re good at.
Both courses will keep a wide range of doors open.
Grades: A*AB is competitive
You may feel they aren’t strong enough because of the pressure from being in a grammar school, but A*AB is an excellent set of grades and absolutely competitive for most universities, including Russell Groups and top-20 institutions.
Don’t let imposter syndrome cloud your judgment.
About parents wanting you to stay close to home
This is a very common issue.
Here’s the reality:
•
You won’t “ruin” your life by going to a university slightly further from home.
•
Nor will you “ruin” your life by staying local.
•
What does matter is choosing a course and environment where you’ll thrive.
•
why you want that specific course,
•
how important independence is to you,
•
and what support you're expecting.
Your statement doesn’t need to lock you into a career, just show enthusiasm, relevant skills, and motivation.
Best wishes,
Elmehdi - DMU representative
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