Land Economy A level Choices

Hello!
I'm currently in Year 12, studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, and History. I'm currently split between which subject to drop (Either History or Further Mathematics). I want to study Land Economy at university and then apply for either Economics or multiple similar degrees elsewhere.
My current feelings about Further Mathematics:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and Economics at every other university.
Pros:
- I'm enjoying the subject, and I genuinely like mathematics as a whole.
- The workload is not too heavy
- I know I can work hard enough for an A/A* with constant practice and revision
Cons:
- I'm aware that people say it gets ridiculously hard in Year 13 (although my school has started FM content in Year 12 already)
- I'm worried that taking Maths, FM and Economics is too narrow a combination, and not as suitable for Land Economy compared to Maths, Economics + an essay subject (due to Land Economy not being as maths-heavy compared to pure Economics).
My feelings about History:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and degrees like Econ + GSD @ Warwick, Environment and Sustainability w/ Econ @ LSE, etc.
Pros:
- I enjoy the content and learning about History
- It's an essay subject, so perhaps a bit more suitable compared to FM, as it uses critical thinking and analytical skills, etc.
Cons:
- The subject is so content-heavy, and the workload is insane (in terms of what I'm going through now)
- I'm terrified of getting a B or below in my actual A-levels, and I feel as if I lack faith in my ability to get an A/A* in History.
- History homework (pre-reading) and revision seem to take up so much time, I feel terrified
- I'm still adjusting to the jump in difficulty to GCSE
I've checked online through public information requests, and people have gotten in with Maths, FM and Econ, as well as Maths, History and Econ.
I think I'll have to continue with both A-levels for now, and reassess how I feel after my next set of tests coming this spring. I know I could also continue with 4 A-levels, but the workload seems daunting, and A*A*A is better than AAAA. How I wish I switched to Geography early on.
Thank you for reading!

Hi Lumin,
Honestly, the key is, pick the subjects you can do well and enjoy.
Strong grades matter far more than the “perfect” subject combo.
From your message, it sounds like you genuinely prefer Further Maths over History, and that enjoyment will make a big difference in how well you do.
Workload & balance: doing three A-levels you can excel in is much better than juggling four and doing just okay. Quality over quantity really applies here, taking four doesn’t give you a real advantage, but it can increase stress and lower your grades.
Universities will care more about your grades than the exact combination of subjects, so neither FM nor History will hold you back. Choose the one you enjoy more, focus on getting top grades, and have confidence that you can achieve them.
You'll do great.
Ulaw Alfred 🙂

Hello!
I'm currently in Year 12, studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, and History. I'm currently split between which subject to drop (Either History or Further Mathematics). I want to study Land Economy at university and then apply for either Economics or multiple similar degrees elsewhere.
My current feelings about Further Mathematics:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and Economics at every other university.
Pros:
- I'm enjoying the subject, and I genuinely like mathematics as a whole.
- The workload is not too heavy
- I know I can work hard enough for an A/A* with constant practice and revision
Cons:
- I'm aware that people say it gets ridiculously hard in Year 13 (although my school has started FM content in Year 12 already)
- I'm worried that taking Maths, FM and Economics is too narrow a combination, and not as suitable for Land Economy compared to Maths, Economics + an essay subject (due to Land Economy not being as maths-heavy compared to pure Economics).
My feelings about History:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and degrees like Econ + GSD @ Warwick, Environment and Sustainability w/ Econ @ LSE, etc.
Pros:
- I enjoy the content and learning about History
- It's an essay subject, so perhaps a bit more suitable compared to FM, as it uses critical thinking and analytical skills, etc.
Cons:
- The subject is so content-heavy, and the workload is insane (in terms of what I'm going through now)
- I'm terrified of getting a B or below in my actual A-levels, and I feel as if I lack faith in my ability to get an A/A* in History.
- History homework (pre-reading) and revision seem to take up so much time, I feel terrified
- I'm still adjusting to the jump in difficulty to GCSE
I've checked online through public information requests, and people have gotten in with Maths, FM and Econ, as well as Maths, History and Econ.
I think I'll have to continue with both A-levels for now, and reassess how I feel after my next set of tests coming this spring. I know I could also continue with 4 A-levels, but the workload seems daunting, and A*A*A is better than AAAA. How I wish I switched to Geography early on.
Thank you for reading!

Universities will care more about your grades than the exact combination of subjects
Have you actually looked at 'entry requirements' for Economics at selective Universities?
I suggest that you do this before replying to posts asking for advice on topics that are clearly well outside your experience.

The majority of land economy courses say:
'We don't ask for any specific subjects to apply to Land Economy. We recommend these subjects for a strong application:
Which as you can tell, do not invalidate this student, he is already taking all the right subject choices, and his question is a matter of dropping FM v History.
Ironically, I should ask you whether you looked before replying to my post, because if you did, you would know your statement is irrelevant, and this student is doing perfectly fine.
Furthermore I have already replied to one of your previous posts, explaining why I am more than qualified to answer these queries, so there's no need to be passive-aggressive or worry about my qualifications.

The OP is not just applying for 'Land Economy' and nor did your reply refer to this explicitly. "The majority of land economy courses ...." - I think you will find its only one University that offers this as a named degree..

Hello!

I'm currently in Year 12, studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, and History. I'm currently split between which subject to drop (Either History or Further Mathematics). I want to study Land Economy at university and then apply for either Economics or multiple similar degrees elsewhere.

My current feelings about Further Mathematics:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and Economics at every other university.

Pros:
- I'm enjoying the subject, and I genuinely like mathematics as a whole.
- The workload is not too heavy
- I know I can work hard enough for an A/A* with constant practice and revision

Cons:
- I'm aware that people say it gets ridiculously hard in Year 13 (although my school has started FM content in Year 12 already)
- I'm worried that taking Maths, FM and Economics is too narrow a combination, and not as suitable for Land Economy compared to Maths, Economics + an essay subject (due to Land Economy not being as maths-heavy compared to pure Economics).

My feelings about History:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and degrees like Econ + GSD @ Warwick, Environment and Sustainability w/ Econ @ LSE, etc.

Pros:
- I enjoy the content and learning about History
- It's an essay subject, so perhaps a bit more suitable compared to FM, as it uses critical thinking and analytical skills, etc.

Cons:
- The subject is so content-heavy, and the workload is insane (in terms of what I'm going through now)
- I'm terrified of getting a B or below in my actual A-levels, and I feel as if I lack faith in my ability to get an A/A* in History.
- History homework (pre-reading) and revision seem to take up so much time, I feel terrified
- I'm still adjusting to the jump in difficulty to GCSE

I've checked online through public information requests, and people have gotten in with Maths, FM and Econ, as well as Maths, History and Econ.

I think I'll have to continue with both A-levels for now, and reassess how I feel after my next set of tests coming this spring. I know I could also continue with 4 A-levels, but the workload seems daunting, and A*A*A is better than AAAA. How I wish I switched to Geography early on.

Thank you for reading!

Attempting 4 A levels always risks messing up all of your subjects - and remember, AAA will always look better than ABBB. What do you actually need to apply for Economics. Check the entry requirements for a range of different Unis. Do not guess, do not just 'assume'. If FM is not essential or preferred, that is what that Uni means - and taking it is not going to increase your chances of an offer. Econ at LSE as one example states that whilst FM is 'desirable' it is not essential and that you do not need to be taking 4 A level subjects - look at the info about 'subject' combinations on the course page.

What other unis are you considering applying to single honours economics for? FM is no doubt useful in gneral for economics, and for some single honours economics courses functionally required/expected if your school offers it - but not at all.
I'd note in terms of land economy specifically, I don't believe students with FM are correlated with a higher success rate than those without (in fact I think success rates are similar between those with maths, with maths and FM, and without maths at all). As I understand it's not an enormously mathematical course.
I suppose the point I'm getting to is - if you enjoy maths, do well in it, would prefer to continue it, and are applying to single honours economics courses elsewhere - why not at Cambridge also? The economics course at Cambridge is more mathematically inclined as I understand which sounds like a closer fit to your preferences...?
At the end of the day maths/FM/another is perfectly acceptable for land economy as well and isn't going to disadvantage you in admissions as far as I'm aware. You seem a lot more confident in your ability to succeed in FM than history in any event which I think tells you what you need to know already

To add to the semantic discussion, the OP is not considering applying to BA in Land Economy but instead is looking at the BA in Environment, Law, and Economics, given they are Y12 and hence applying for the 2027/8 academic year (or deferred thereafter).

LSE, and possibly UCL. I was considering Environmental and Sustainable Development w/ Economics at LSE as well, but it mentions that students with Maths/FM/essay are considered less competitive than having another essay subject, hence why I would apply for pure Economics at LSE.

I want to apply for Economics and GSD at Warwick (My second choice so far!), which I would prefer to study over pure economics. It also doesn't require FM.

I'm relieved to hear that success rates for students with FM is around the same as the others. I was worried I would be at a disadvantage if I applied with Maths + FM. Hopefully I can demonstrate that my ability to write essays through my EPQ and essay competitions.

I don't mind that Land Economy is not heavily mathematical. I really like the interdisciplinary nature of Land Economy, and I believe I would prefer studying the wide range of subjects under that course than pure economics.

Sorry if my response comes off as rude - I really hope it didn't. Thank you so so much for your help and reassurance that maths/FM/econ is acceptable for land economy. Your advice has been so helpful! I was feeling a bit discouraged but now I'm a lot better.

Thank you once again!

Wow I had no idea they were changing the name...how peculiar. I suppose "land economy" is a bit inscrutable as a course name so I guess it makes sense. I bet now that the degree has "law and economics" in the name it'll become very popular...!
I think I understand better now, so it seems like you actually prefer land economy (or whatever the new name is going to be!) and other courses involving development and environment/sustainanability than straight economics and are just continuing with FM as you're less keen on history A-level anyway?
In that case then I don't know if there's any particular reason you have to apply just to straight economics alongside land economy even if you do take FM, unless they specifically state it would be less competitive (realistically: only LSE will ever have such language anyway). Apply to the courses you're interested in!

Also, the reason I said ‘majority…’ is because I found another listing from St Catharine’s College (https://www.caths.cam.ac.uk/subject/land-economy). However, on second glance, it appears to be the same University of Cambridge course; you study it as a Cambridge student while being based at St Catharine’s College.
St Catherine's is part of Cambridge University.

Hello!
I'm currently in Year 12, studying Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Economics, and History. I'm currently split between which subject to drop (Either History or Further Mathematics). I want to study Land Economy at university and then apply for either Economics or multiple similar degrees elsewhere.
My current feelings about Further Mathematics:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and Economics at every other university.
Pros:
- I'm enjoying the subject, and I genuinely like mathematics as a whole.
- The workload is not too heavy
- I know I can work hard enough for an A/A* with constant practice and revision
Cons:
- I'm aware that people say it gets ridiculously hard in Year 13 (although my school has started FM content in Year 12 already)
- I'm worried that taking Maths, FM and Economics is too narrow a combination, and not as suitable for Land Economy compared to Maths, Economics + an essay subject (due to Land Economy not being as maths-heavy compared to pure Economics).
My feelings about History:
If I continued with it, I would apply for Land Economy at Cambridge and degrees like Econ + GSD @ Warwick, Environment and Sustainability w/ Econ @ LSE, etc.
Pros:
- I enjoy the content and learning about History
- It's an essay subject, so perhaps a bit more suitable compared to FM, as it uses critical thinking and analytical skills, etc.
Cons:
- The subject is so content-heavy, and the workload is insane (in terms of what I'm going through now)
- I'm terrified of getting a B or below in my actual A-levels, and I feel as if I lack faith in my ability to get an A/A* in History.
- History homework (pre-reading) and revision seem to take up so much time, I feel terrified
- I'm still adjusting to the jump in difficulty to GCSE
I've checked online through public information requests, and people have gotten in with Maths, FM and Econ, as well as Maths, History and Econ.
I think I'll have to continue with both A-levels for now, and reassess how I feel after my next set of tests coming this spring. I know I could also continue with 4 A-levels, but the workload seems daunting, and A*A*A is better than AAAA. How I wish I switched to Geography early on.
Thank you for reading!

Hi Lumin,
Honestly, the key is, pick the subjects you can do well and enjoy.
Strong grades matter far more than the “perfect” subject combo.
From your message, it sounds like you genuinely prefer Further Maths over History, and that enjoyment will make a big difference in how well you do.
Workload & balance: doing three A-levels you can excel in is much better than juggling four and doing just okay. Quality over quantity really applies here, taking four doesn’t give you a real advantage, but it can increase stress and lower your grades.
Universities will care more about your grades than the exact combination of subjects, so neither FM nor History will hold you back. Choose the one you enjoy more, focus on getting top grades, and have confidence that you can achieve them.
You'll do great.
Ulaw Alfred 🙂