A-Level Economics - any views?

Few years ago now. I got a b in gcse maths. Did economics at a level and got an A. I hate maths

I'm guessing OP that you are hoping for your DS to apply to really aspirational universities :)

Go for it! As I say my DS wouldn't have got an A/A* in an essaywriting subject if he'd been paid for it. What made a difference with his Cambridge entrance is that he did the subjects that he chose (and ignored me fluttering on the sidelines suggesting that he really really should do an essay-writing subject). Play to your DS's strengths.

*would not sound

My ds also got an A* at GCSE but was recommended not to continue at A Level after struggling in the first couple of weeks (which were designed deliberately to weed out those that sound struggle). They made absolutely the right recommendation and he made absolutely the right choice.

With maths (and also with physics and chemistry tbh) there's a big leap between GCSE and A level

If the school thinks that the OP's DS is not going to get an A at Maths A level that's a pretty good indicator

What is going to matter to the OP's DS is what grades he gets at A level. Nothing more nothing less. So go for the subjects where your DS has an affinity in which he is interested and get the best A level grades possible to get into a good university.

Admittedly 15 years ago now, but I read polictics with economics at an RG uni without maths a level. I’m also now an accountant. When I applied the only uni which stipulated maths for economics (joint honors) was LSE. Oxford didn’t require it for PPE (although I was rejected at interview so )

There is no point doing Economics without Maths A level. He will struggle with the course and won’t be able to do it at a decent university without Maths.

First point definitely not true. My ds did Economics and not Maths and got an A.
Second point, there are some good universities that don't require maths. Admittedly fewer than that do but they are there.

I'm entirely confused as to why the school feels he's so far from being able to cope with Maths A Level when he achieved an A* (scrape or not) I'm assuming you mean he got an 8? There is only one possible higher grade and the margins between grades are much smaller the higher you go. Are they saying they will only consider those who got a 9 for A Level? Seems fairly restrictive.

More importantly, does he WANT to do Maths A Level?

Does he (and you?) realise to get an A in Economics means he'll have to work very hard? It sounds as if you're both thinking it's the easier option....

I'm guessing this is a very selective school? A state school would be falling over themselves to persuade him to do A level Maths because he'd be so likely to get an A!

I have A grade Economics A level. Got an A* in maths GCSE and no way on god's earth would I have done A level. Bloody hated maths. Loved economics though. It made far more sense to me than maths ever did.

So yes, it's entirely feasible to get A in economics without maths a level.

He doesn't need A level Maths to cope with Economics. He'd manage with it no problem, in my experience, and especially with a A* at GCSE level.

I did A level economics years ago and loved it. I didn't do Maths at a higher level, and most of the people doing the subject didn't either. There is, and was, far more essay writing required than maths skills in general so English skills are also very useful. I got an A in A level Economics, and had a B at GCSE maths.

The maths requirement needed for a level Economics at the local sixth forms here say a grade 5/6, and a 5 for English.

Someone wanting to do a degree in history does not need A level maths.

He's considering PPE...

Well it sounds like he is capable of an A in maths, but needs to pull his finger out.

He’s not going to do brilliantly in A-levels if he doesn’t work hard, you can’t slack your way to top grades like is possible at GCSE.

I don't agree titchy. Someone wanting to do a degree in history does not need A level maths. They need A levels where they are going to get good/great grades. It's perfectly possibly to get an A/A* in Econ without maths A level.

It's a good idea to have a view about what is achievable at A level - because of course A levels determine the degree course that is possible

So far so realistic - sounds promising! There's no shame in not being able to get an A or A* at A level maths - it sounds like your DS's thing is essay writing subjects. It's important to find the thing that motivates them and that they enjoy and that plays to their skillset.

DS couldn't have got an A at A level in an essay writing subject if you'd have paid him. He was computational and got 4A* for maths/further maths/physics/chem. Equally DD could not have got an A at A level in a computational subject - her mind just didnt work like that.

Find their strengths and encourage them to take subjects they enjoy and encourage them to work hard. Get them to enjoy their learning rather than think of it as work IYSWIM.

An A in Economics is only better than a B in Maths if a) he gets an A in Economics, b) he doesn't need Maths A Level, and c) he isn't capable of an A in Maths A level.

None of those apply here and imo he'd be an idiot to do Eco instead of Maths.

I understand that you don’t want to close doors by potentially not getting an A at A-level, but you’ll definitely be closing doors by not having Maths A-level.

I’m surprised at a school putting a kid off who got an A* in Y10.

And he does not have a natural aptitude for Maths

He got an A* in Y10 and apparently slacked off and still passed Further Maths GCSE. He’s most likely perfectly capable of Maths A-level.