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Higher education

Talk to other parents whose children are preparing for university on our Higher Education forum.

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Original poster

A level Choices for DC who is unsure between Engineering or Economics at Uni

64 replies

Iamsodone · 17/03/2021 22:23

Dear all,
Could I please seek A level choice advice for a DC who isn't too sure of what uni course to pursue later on between sciences or Economics ?
DC is put off by Economics A level (edexcel) as it is an essay-based subject.
So preliminary choices are physics/maths/chemistry and one MFL (has to start with 4)
However, we have been told that not choosing Economics may play against us if finally applying for Economics at uni, as it is available at our sixth form.
Our plan (if not taking A level economics) was to go for Economics EPQ and clubs/project to demonstrate interest should the uni Economics' path was ultimately chosen rather than take now half-heartedly a A level in case ...

I think the question applies to other subjects ie not choosing a certain A level but ultimately wanting to do it at Uni, in our case the trade off is with a so-called facilitating subject.

thanks !

OP posts:

5zeds · 17/03/2021 22:28

Economics isn’t nearly as prestigious as chem or physics.

en0la · 17/03/2021 22:41

If economics doesn't appeal at a level because it's an essay based subject then what do they think will happen to change that at university ?

cinammonbuns · 17/03/2021 22:46

Economic a level is not a requirement at any university for an economic degree. My DD does Econ at Oxford and out of 9 in her college doing it only 2 did Econ A Level. However, I would have wondered as PP said what he thinks about essay based subjects when there are often essays in an Econ degree. Some courses are more maths heavy though. Has he thought about which Econ courses he wants to do at certain universities if he wants to avoid essays?

Silkies · 17/03/2021 22:46

I did Economics at A level and degree, its essay based in both though at degree you get more choice and its a lot more interesting. Its become a lot more mathematical over time but not the subject to do if you want to avoid writing.

At my university it would have counted against you not taking it at A level when available, didn't know anyone on course who didn't have economics A level. Triple science plus a language would be a very odd combination, nowadays you need maths A level for most courses and for some further maths.

Silkies · 17/03/2021 22:49

Sorry just saw he has maths A level so that's covered.

NiceGerbil · 17/03/2021 22:55

I'm a science bod so say go for that!

If he gets good grades in physics maths chemistry then he will be in a good position surely.

I don't know anything about economics- is it mainly maths or history/ theory?

If the latter maybe his fourth could be more essayish to show he can do that.

Engineering sounds way more fun to me though.

Sam1470 · 17/03/2021 22:55

@Iamsodone

Dear all, Could I please seek A level choice advice for a DC who isn't too sure of what uni course to pursue later on between sciences or Economics ? DC is put off by Economics A level (edexcel) as it is an essay-based subject. So preliminary choices are physics/maths/chemistry and one MFL (has to start with 4) However, we have been told that not choosing Economics may play against us if finally applying for Economics at uni, as it is available at our sixth form. Our plan (if not taking A level economics) was to go for Economics EPQ and clubs/project to demonstrate interest should the uni Economics' path was ultimately chosen rather than take now half-heartedly a A level in case ...

I think the question applies to other subjects ie not choosing a certain A level but ultimately wanting to do it at Uni, in our case the trade off is with a so-called facilitating subject.

thanks !

When I was doing my a levels I was thinking of both routes too as my options for university and the key for Economics degree was at least Maths at a level so that is going to be needed whichever route he goes. For me to cover it, knowing I was thinking of mechanical engineering I did physics, economics, maths at a level with chemistry at as level too. I knew as long as I kept maths as core either option was available but I would also recommend physics if he is thinking of general or mechanical engineering and chemistry for any chemical engineering.

Mumoftwoinprimary · 17/03/2021 22:58

Is further maths a possibility?

Sam1470 · 17/03/2021 23:02

@Iamsodone

Dear all, Could I please seek A level choice advice for a DC who isn't too sure of what uni course to pursue later on between sciences or Economics ? DC is put off by Economics A level (edexcel) as it is an essay-based subject. So preliminary choices are physics/maths/chemistry and one MFL (has to start with 4) However, we have been told that not choosing Economics may play against us if finally applying for Economics at uni, as it is available at our sixth form. Our plan (if not taking A level economics) was to go for Economics EPQ and clubs/project to demonstrate interest should the uni Economics' path was ultimately chosen rather than take now half-heartedly a A level in case ...

I think the question applies to other subjects ie not choosing a certain A level but ultimately wanting to do it at Uni, in our case the trade off is with a so-called facilitating subject.

thanks !

Additionally, with an Economics degree that I did, there were plenty of people who had not studied it at a level so would not say it is core at all. Maths instead will be essential as statistics is assumed to be know especially in a Bsc degree in economics. I also did an extended project qualification and used it to demonstrate by economics interests, by that time I was more interested in that route, I based mine on forecasting crude oil prices, but it is a good tool to show your interests in it and show your knowledge.

titchy · 17/03/2021 23:04

He'd be an idiot frankly not to do Economics A level if he's thinking about it for university. Maths, physics, economics and one more (chem or FM) would be my choice to keep his options open.

However if he can't stand the thought of two years of an essay subject for a third (quarter?) of his time, why on earth is he thinking about an essay subject for three years and all of his time? So on that basis I'd definitely say do Eco to work out if he likes it or not!

Sam1470 · 17/03/2021 23:07

@en0la

If economics doesn't appeal at a level because it's an essay based subject then what do they think will happen to change that at university ?

@en0la Tbf when you are at university, if he specialises in a Bsc economics degree, a lot of modules would not be heavily essay based. There will be essay based answers for the core micro and macroeconomics module but as most courses are exam based, there is not as much essays per say. The other modules such as econometrics, calculus, linear algebra and other optional modules can be more mathematical modules with less essay based questions so you could get by.

converseandjeans · 17/03/2021 23:23

I can't see why he wants to continue with Economics if he's not keen to do A level?

I think Maths & Physics are great for engineering. The MFL does fit in as it's likely an engineer or economist may want to work abroad or with international clients. Also it's considered a challenging A level.

However what about Further Maths? Is that offered?

en0la · 18/03/2021 00:00

say. The other modules such as econometrics, calculus, linear algebra and other optional modules can be more mathematical modules with less essay based questions so you could get by.

To get a good degree you need to do more than 'get by'

Silkies · 18/03/2021 01:07

The Economics A level is similar to the macro and micro papers for an economics degree - in my degree that was 1/2 the first year then 1/4 of the other two years and both involved writing essays and theory. The A level was very useful. Other useful subjects would be Maths, Further Maths, History (Modern) and Politics though you also get more environmental economics now.

Do you know why he says he is interested in economics? If it is say just as a route to high paying jobs in banking / finance then there are a lot in that field with maths degrees / phds and some physics phds. I think he should do what he is interested in then the degree and jobs he is interested in will follow.

Maybe look at some degree course syllabuses to get more idea and maybe at careers and work back.

MarchingFrogs · 18/03/2021 07:19

MFL A levels tend to involve writing essays etc as well.

History and Politics even more.

FM would seem to be the obvious choice as a fourth subject for the essay-averse and will definitely be useful if he is looking for 'Economics as a branch of Maths' type Economics degree, rather than 'as a social science'.

The former would seem to be the way that it is going, anyway, but I would also wonder what it is that has led him to Economics as one of two possibles for undergraduate study.

5zeds · 18/03/2021 07:37

A fourth Alevel is utterly pointless. He’s be better using that time to up his grades in the other three or do some enrichment/work. What sort of engineering is he interested in?

CrystalE · 18/03/2021 07:52

www.theuniguide.co.uk/a-level-explorer

Website above is useful to look at what you can do with various a levels and pretty accurate. Friends DC applied to Economics at several of the best unis in the country last year - the main thing they were interested in was whether he had done Maths and Further Maths. Economics is very maths heavy these days and all the Econ theory seems to be retaught in first year of the degree anyway.

Needmoresleep · 18/03/2021 08:25

I agree. If he is allowed to take four, double maths will keep more doors open for both economics and engineering.

It depends where he hopes to apply, but if he is aiming for, say, top five departments in either subject FM will be preferred. Particularly if he is looking for an economics course with a minimum number of essays. (He might look at econometrics at LSE or MORSE at Warwick.)

The trouble with not taking economics is persuading Universities that you are interested in the subject. The A level syllabus has apparently been completely overhauled, and Universities seem to like it more than they did a few years back.

The safest option would be double maths, economics and physics. And with the advantage that for an able mathematician, FM is less work than a language.

Double maths with physics and chemistry opens the door to a wider range of STEM subjects, medicine even. He would get on an economics course, but the more mathematical/fewer essay courses are extremely competitive and he would be at a disadvantage.

There are other, often better, ways to learn a language than taking A level. Exposure is key.

DIshedUp · 18/03/2021 08:30

Chemistry will be good if he wants to do engineering, but I would do further maths for his fourth and no economics

That keeps his options open, working for further maths will help with his normal maths and therefore is less work than a fourth essay subject, and will be really beneficial to either subject. If he doesn't like essays I'm really not sure economics is right for him, and economics and engineering are quite different really. What type of engineering is he interested in?

twelly · 18/03/2021 08:33

Economics at A level would allow him to decide whether it interests him. Maths, further maths , physics and econ would be a good idea. Some schools and colleges teach the a level maths for two option blocks in year one for those taking further maths. The advantage of that is if he then found the further maths too much he could repeat the A level maths in year two - they still do both exams in year 2.

Needmoresleep · 18/03/2021 08:53

Taking double maths will allow him to discover what bit of maths he prefers. Put simply, economics uses statistics, engineering uses mechanics.

Xenia · 18/03/2021 09:01

My daughter did chemistry, geography, economics A levels and physics AS. in your case he sounds like he does not like essay subjects.
His three plus a language in lower sixth A/S sounds a good combination and then do not study economics at university.

However 4 of my children either did economics A level or AS (in addition to their harder/"facilitating subjects") and did find it very interesting and useful but we are a words, essay type family on the whole so that side of economics was never a problem.

Maths people who do economics at university do tend to earn well if they go into financial services after.

Doing all 3 of maths, chemistry and physics to A level is quite difficult unless you are very good at those full are traditional subjects, although my sibling did biology, chemistry and maths (and further maths) (who read medicine at Oxbridge) and did fine.

twelly · 18/03/2021 09:08

The facilitating subject aren't necessarily harder - and economics along with philosophy/ethics/re is also considered as facilitating. I think the fact economics is essays is important , done universities may specify they want a grade in that A level if it is his only essay based subject, it really depends upon the type of degree he chooses

MarchingFrogs · 18/03/2021 10:05

Taking double maths will allow him to discover what bit of maths he prefers. Put simply, economics uses statistics, engineering uses mechanics.

Not taking FM may make him less competitive as an applicant for either subject as some universities, but both statistics and mechanics are compulsory elements of the current Mathematics A level syllabus, so from the exposure point of view, FM is not required.

RedGoldAndGreene · 18/03/2021 11:19

I went to LSE and don't have A-level Economics. It's a social science and essay based at degree level ime.

Maths A-level would be the common factor between both degrees.

Personally I'd advise 2 sciences (chemistry and physics) because engineering will probably have an expectation of having studied science. An Economics EPQ would cover the possible economics choice.

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