A Level choices - economics or maths?

Hi everyone,
Im currently in year 11, and for reference i'm predicted all 8s and 9s in my GSCE's and have been getting those in my mocks- I go to a top grammar school. I know for a level, I want to pick history and politics. However, i'm struggling to pick a 3rd- originally, I picked economics, because it paired well with the other two, had a lot of overlapping topics and seemed useful. However, after looking into the subject a little more it is quite essay based and whilst I don't hate essays (obviously, my other 2 choices are essay based) the idea of doing 3 essay subjects does scare me a little- and the content sounded slightly boring. I don't necessarily think I would struggle with it though, it reminds me of business which I take and have no problem with at GSCE. Furthermore, to pursue an economics related degree it isn't required- but maths is. Which brings me to the other option- maths. Maths used to be my strongest subject, but in the past 2 years I have struggled more than I expected- although i'm not sure if this is due to a bad teacher or just complacency as I haven't really had to pay too much attention to it to get top grades pre-GSCE. Im in top set and have always been, and I would be the only one besides 1 other girl who isn't taking it for a level which is a bit daunting and concerning?? Im also doing further maths, and i'm on an 8 right now but im aiming for top unis, and I am just not sure how hard it will be and if I will be able to put in the work to get an A/A* from where I am right now- ive heard from others it is incredibly hard but others it isn't and im confused? Another big driving factor is it keeps way more doors open to do degrees like PPE at university- I'm not too sure what degree I want to do right now. And I think a break from essays could be nice to stimulate the STEM side of my brain as I will miss that at A level.
Sorry, I know thats alot, but if anyone could advise me that would be great! I know history politics and economics is a popular and great interlinked combo and ive not really heard of anyone taking history politics and maths. Thank you!

Hi everyone,
Im currently in year 11, and for reference i'm predicted all 8s and 9s in my GSCE's and have been getting those in my mocks- I go to a top grammar school. I know for a level, I want to pick history and politics. However, i'm struggling to pick a 3rd- originally, I picked economics, because it paired well with the other two, had a lot of overlapping topics and seemed useful. However, after looking into the subject a little more it is quite essay based and whilst I don't hate essays (obviously, my other 2 choices are essay based) the idea of doing 3 essay subjects does scare me a little- and the content sounded slightly boring. I don't necessarily think I would struggle with it though, it reminds me of business which I take and have no problem with at GSCE. Furthermore, to pursue an economics related degree it isn't required- but maths is. Which brings me to the other option- maths. Maths used to be my strongest subject, but in the past 2 years I have struggled more than I expected- although i'm not sure if this is due to a bad teacher or just complacency as I haven't really had to pay too much attention to it to get top grades pre-GSCE. Im in top set and have always been, and I would be the only one besides 1 other girl who isn't taking it for a level which is a bit daunting and concerning?? Im also doing further maths, and i'm on an 8 right now but im aiming for top unis, and I am just not sure how hard it will be and if I will be able to put in the work to get an A/A* from where I am right now- ive heard from others it is incredibly hard but others it isn't and im confused? Another big driving factor is it keeps way more doors open to do degrees like PPE at university- I'm not too sure what degree I want to do right now. And I think a break from essays could be nice to stimulate the STEM side of my brain as I will miss that at A level.
Sorry, I know thats alot, but if anyone could advise me that would be great! I know history politics and economics is a popular and great interlinked combo and ive not really heard of anyone taking history politics and maths. Thank you!

Hi everyone,
Im currently in year 11, and for reference i'm predicted all 8s and 9s in my GSCE's and have been getting those in my mocks- I go to a top grammar school. I know for a level, I want to pick history and politics. However, i'm struggling to pick a 3rd- originally, I picked economics, because it paired well with the other two, had a lot of overlapping topics and seemed useful. However, after looking into the subject a little more it is quite essay based and whilst I don't hate essays (obviously, my other 2 choices are essay based) the idea of doing 3 essay subjects does scare me a little- and the content sounded slightly boring. I don't necessarily think I would struggle with it though, it reminds me of business which I take and have no problem with at GSCE. Furthermore, to pursue an economics related degree it isn't required- but maths is. Which brings me to the other option- maths. Maths used to be my strongest subject, but in the past 2 years I have struggled more than I expected- although i'm not sure if this is due to a bad teacher or just complacency as I haven't really had to pay too much attention to it to get top grades pre-GSCE. Im in top set and have always been, and I would be the only one besides 1 other girl who isn't taking it for a level which is a bit daunting and concerning?? Im also doing further maths, and i'm on an 8 right now but im aiming for top unis, and I am just not sure how hard it will be and if I will be able to put in the work to get an A/A* from where I am right now- ive heard from others it is incredibly hard but others it isn't and im confused? Another big driving factor is it keeps way more doors open to do degrees like PPE at university- I'm not too sure what degree I want to do right now. And I think a break from essays could be nice to stimulate the STEM side of my brain as I will miss that at A level.
Sorry, I know thats alot, but if anyone could advise me that would be great! I know history politics and economics is a popular and great interlinked combo and ive not really heard of anyone taking history politics and maths. Thank you!

Hello, (im in Y11 as well) if I were you i'd take maths, as like you said it'll serve a break from essay-heavy subjects like history and politics (not sure why you took politics tho). You also need to revise a lot and remember a lot of content for social sciences and humanities, and maths will not add as much to the workload as economics, seeing as you're doing an epq as well. And don't worry about popular combos, people like me have took more "unusual" ones, but still serves well to balanced workloads and cover as many career sectors as possible.

okay thank you! can i ask why you are unsure i took politics though?? i really enjoy it, and a combined history and politics degree / international relations is one of my options for a future degree

You seem far more driven towards maths as a subject compared to econ so if you prefer maths then take that. You could ask to start with all 4 and then drop one. I do maths a level as a year 13 so feel free to ask me any questions on it 🙂

My son is in year 12 and he is doing history, politics, maths and further maths. Most likely, he will be applying for PPE next year or Economics & Politics.

Oh in that case that you are taking a combined history/politics degree then never mind, sorry I asked

Hi everyone,
Im currently in year 11, and for reference i'm predicted all 8s and 9s in my GSCE's and have been getting those in my mocks- I go to a top grammar school. I know for a level, I want to pick history and politics. However, i'm struggling to pick a 3rd- originally, I picked economics, because it paired well with the other two, had a lot of overlapping topics and seemed useful. However, after looking into the subject a little more it is quite essay based and whilst I don't hate essays (obviously, my other 2 choices are essay based) the idea of doing 3 essay subjects does scare me a little- and the content sounded slightly boring. I don't necessarily think I would struggle with it though, it reminds me of business which I take and have no problem with at GSCE. Furthermore, to pursue an economics related degree it isn't required- but maths is. Which brings me to the other option- maths. Maths used to be my strongest subject, but in the past 2 years I have struggled more than I expected- although i'm not sure if this is due to a bad teacher or just complacency as I haven't really had to pay too much attention to it to get top grades pre-GSCE. Im in top set and have always been, and I would be the only one besides 1 other girl who isn't taking it for a level which is a bit daunting and concerning?? Im also doing further maths, and i'm on an 8 right now but im aiming for top unis, and I am just not sure how hard it will be and if I will be able to put in the work to get an A/A* from where I am right now- ive heard from others it is incredibly hard but others it isn't and im confused? Another big driving factor is it keeps way more doors open to do degrees like PPE at university- I'm not too sure what degree I want to do right now. And I think a break from essays could be nice to stimulate the STEM side of my brain as I will miss that at A level.
Sorry, I know thats alot, but if anyone could advise me that would be great! I know history politics and economics is a popular and great interlinked combo and ive not really heard of anyone taking history politics and maths. Thank you!

thank you so much! can i ask, do you think if im on an 8 right now and likely to get an 8 (if i really really push possibly a 9 but ive never really got close yet) at gsce- will i struggle to get an A* at a level?? im just thinking what subject will get me the best grades to like apply to unis yk

no that’s okay, i’m still keeping my options open! what would you have suggested instead?

An 8 is a solid grade to start a level maths on, do you also do further maths gcse? If so you will already have very strong foundations in the subject as the step from gcse to a level will be lessened. It’s very tricky to predict a level grades based on GCSE grades though, basically if you get a 7 or above at GCSE you will usually end up with a grade in the range A* to B and anything less than a 7 at GCSE likely means that you will not achieve these grades.

An 8 is a solid grade to start a level maths on, do you also do further maths gcse? If so you will already have very strong foundations in the subject as the step from gcse to a level will be lessened. It’s very tricky to predict a level grades based on GCSE grades though, basically if you get a 7 or above at GCSE you will usually end up with a grade in the range A* to B and anything less than a 7 at GCSE likely means that you will not achieve these grades.

yeah i do further maths aswell, hopefully that will help me out a little bit. if I do take maths I will get a tutor from the start of year 12 to make sure I dont fall behind aswell

Hi everyone,
Im currently in year 11, and for reference i'm predicted all 8s and 9s in my GSCE's and have been getting those in my mocks- I go to a top grammar school. I know for a level, I want to pick history and politics. However, i'm struggling to pick a 3rd- originally, I picked economics, because it paired well with the other two, had a lot of overlapping topics and seemed useful. However, after looking into the subject a little more it is quite essay based and whilst I don't hate essays (obviously, my other 2 choices are essay based) the idea of doing 3 essay subjects does scare me a little- and the content sounded slightly boring. I don't necessarily think I would struggle with it though, it reminds me of business which I take and have no problem with at GSCE. Furthermore, to pursue an economics related degree it isn't required- but maths is. Which brings me to the other option- maths. Maths used to be my strongest subject, but in the past 2 years I have struggled more than I expected- although i'm not sure if this is due to a bad teacher or just complacency as I haven't really had to pay too much attention to it to get top grades pre-GSCE. Im in top set and have always been, and I would be the only one besides 1 other girl who isn't taking it for a level which is a bit daunting and concerning?? Im also doing further maths, and i'm on an 8 right now but im aiming for top unis, and I am just not sure how hard it will be and if I will be able to put in the work to get an A/A* from where I am right now- ive heard from others it is incredibly hard but others it isn't and im confused? Another big driving factor is it keeps way more doors open to do degrees like PPE at university- I'm not too sure what degree I want to do right now. And I think a break from essays could be nice to stimulate the STEM side of my brain as I will miss that at A level.
Sorry, I know thats alot, but if anyone could advise me that would be great! I know history politics and economics is a popular and great interlinked combo and ive not really heard of anyone taking history politics and maths. Thank you!

Further Maths isn't a GCSE; it's a level 2 qualification.

yeah i do further maths aswell, hopefully that will help me out a little bit. if I do take maths I will get a tutor from the start of year 12 to make sure I dont fall behind aswell

Do Maths A level - it's works well with your other two. I would seriously consider dropping level 2 FMaths and getting a grade 9 in Maths GCSE - that's far more important.