Dithering over degree subject choice!

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DS had his heart set on some sort of business degree but is now dithering after predicted AS grades have been published- A for his other subjects but B for Business studies. Alternatives might be Politics/International relations or Geograohy (Human). His 4th subject is RS.

Would doing a "subject" degree as opposed to a more focussed Business degree set him back in the jobs market? He's looking at some good Unis, working on the basis of ultimately getting ABB or AAB (aspirational) at A2

I think he needs to nail this down in order to do whatever reading etc will be required to primp up his Personal statement (it's going to be quite thin as it is) - how long do we have realistically - please help you experienced ladies!

Would doing a "subject" degree as opposed to a more focussed Business degree set him back in the jobs market?

Not at all. If you are really flying high then people tend to be very traditional and risk-averse. Recruiters tend to like Universities that were respected back in their day and still are well-respected and like old skool, academic subjects that were respected back in their day and still are well-respected.

If he is really undecided then I would counsel waiting another year. Get some experience under his belt in a gap year, find out what he wants to do in life.
Get him booked onto University Open Days. Visit the various departments (politics / geog / RS) and ask what jobs their graduates end up doing.

Degrees are very expensive. Choosing a course should be a matter of "do it once and do it right".

Thanks senua

The reasoning behind doing business was to keep doors open as he doesn't know what career to go for. However if he is likely to get into a better Uni /do better doing a more trad degree then we need to put that in the mix. A gap year isn't on the wish list- he wants to leave home asap and we won't be crying if he does

Bump for evening crowd

As far as future jobs go, a first in geography will be better than a 2.2 in Business... ideally wants a course that he can thrown himself into with passion. Business degrees are about how organisations function and make money, is that what he's really into?

It's what he finds most interesting, ragged.unfortuneatly it seems it's not what he's best at based on predicted grades! He's best at Geography by a country mile, always has been, but the appeal of a business degree is the range of aspects covered. We will need to do more research on the possibilities within geography and politics. I feel we're back to square one!

My tuppence:
If it's what he loves then he will find his feet in business and that's what he should aim for. Just because it's challenging doesn't mean it's not right for him; he'll be all the better at it because he had to work to get the understanding.

Funny enough I was at an academic talk today all about the (environmentally) sustainable practices of big organisations and even whole industries (think NHS, fire service, etc.). Nicely marries his 2 interests, big companies and local govt. have sustainability officers and relevant jobs.

bear in mind that 50% of predicted a level grades are wrong nationally

You're right Alicemcgee but at the moment it's all we have to go on and I feel it will be too late to epwait for actual AS grades to put the research legwork in, not to mention DS' preparation for applications

My DD is just completing her physical geography masters at a RG uni. Although my DD is continuing on with a PhD many others on her course are going into finance and business. Your son won't be short of opportunities with a geography degree especially if it from a respected uni with at least a 2:1. She did have to do both human and physical geography in year 1 though.

After a quick glance, I believe Nottingham and Leeds both offer Geography and Management degrees (did not check the fine details as to course content). Would a joint honours degree be worth looking at? I did not look for Geography and Business Studies, but it probably exists, and I did not look at the entry requirements for the courses at Leeds and Nottingham. However, he possibly does not need to choose, he can combine his two interests. There are often courses which offer a year in industry too. The joint honours courses are more likely to offer this if Management is in the mix. I think he would be well advised to look for an additional "business" subject to go with geography. It would definitely help in the jobs market!

Yes I saw the geog/ business at Nottingham too - it does tick lots of boxes but location is not to Sir's taste

What does he not like about Nottingham location?

I thought everyone loved Nottingham! Very popular and deservedly so.

You can do Geography and Business at Nottingham with ABB. Problem is that the course is split between the main (lovely) campus and the newish Jubilee campus so could mean a lot of travelling between the two.

I think Birmingham do some sort of geography business/economics degree too.

Even if you do straight geography depending on the department you can go very much down a business route as there is economic geography

Economics might be a problem without Maths A level. But all avenues are worth pursuing. Lots of students travel from one faculity to another but it would depend on how the course is structured. Hopefully not to and fro lots of times in one day. Leeds? What is not to like about Leeds?

As a former Nottingham Poly (yes I'm that old) student you are pushing stan open door about the attractions of that city for a student! However for whatever reason he won't consider it. Birmingham in the other hand is on the list for consideration and the prospectus arrived today!