Just how competitive is it to get offers for an economics degree??

[Tealfish]

My DC has got his heart set on applying for economics and finance BSc for sept 24 entry. This has come out of the blue really as he was originally thinking finance and accounting but after reading a bit about what economics is, he decided this was for him. He is predicted A*AA in maths, biol and chem. (School don't offer economics) and he's thinking Leeds, Exeter, Southampton, Lancaster, Cardiff. I've read that its very competitive to get offers for economics but wondered if anyone had any experience / tips. We live rurally so I think relevant work experience would be difficult perhaps... Thanks

Honestly, OP …. It depends. But last year there were a number of reports on this Board of DC with PGs of 4 A stars and no offers from Cambridge, LSE, Warwick and UCL. These are traditionally the top 4 mathematically orientated Economic programmes in the UK, so one assumes that in many cases one of those A stars was for FM.

A good TMUA mark could only help. How much, I don’t know.

The larger point in my mind, as an academic and former admissions tutor, is that each DC deserves their best chance of academic success. I wouldn’t presume to say what that means for your DS, but at my place we have a number of Oxbridge rejects. Sometimes that rejection was arbitrary, and it is perhaps a bit sad. Much more often I think it was a lucky escape: if the student had squeaked in, they would have been stuck near the bottom of the class. That’s incredibly stressful and often leads to MH problems. Much better to apply where you feel confident that you are on track to meet the offer and will fit in towards the middle of the cohort, at least.

Having studied at LSE and now doing an economics masters at Oxford I’d say it would be very tough to get in without at least an A in further maths. Maths is the language of economics and if you’re not confident in it you will really struggle in particular when it comes to the later degree stages.

I think the personal statement has to be stand out. DS is currently 1st year economics at Exeter. He had offers from Durham, Birmingham, Cardiff and Manchester and 3A's. But he did ALOT of on-line seminars with the big four, work experience in the city and ran his own small business during sixth form which he could refer to in his PS.

@Lordofmyflies@Lordofmyflies? sorry to soun d stupid but what are the big 4

And how do you get on line seminars? Is that hard or just showing his interest

@Burpsandrustles don’t ever apologise for asking a very sensible question! The big four are the four largest accounting firms: PWC, KPMG, Deloitte’s and EY. If you or a DC is interested in a career in accountancy or finance it is important to look at the various company’s websites and look at opportunities such as online seminars and internships etc.

@Burpsandrustles never apologise for not knowing something, it does not make you stupid in the slightest. Unless it has been on your radar why would you know what it meant?

Adding to the Big 4 there are lots of online things for year 12s over summer, lots of summer courses they can do to expand their knowledge. Plus lots of things just online or podcasts or books to digest to see where their interests lie in the scope of economics. Is your child year 12?

Thank you

As an update, Dc got offers from all except Leeds with AAA predictions. They were thinking of firming Exeter regardless but disappointed Leeds has been taken out of the mix as they really liked it (although was my least favourite !) Sheffield will be the insurance. Hope everyone is getting there with their decisions, it’s been a long process

Great news, OP. Congratulations and best wishes to DC

Congrats on the offers and good luck to him getting his grades in the summer.

Hi there, can I ask how Edinburgh dropped her requirements before firming? Did you have to do anything? My son has just had an offer based on getting A*AA. Is it possible that they might lower that?

Could you recommend any specific books / MOOCS/summer programmes???

Thankyou