A level subjects

[sam122]

Posting this again as i need opinions urgently.

Im in yr12 transitioning to yr13. My A levels are Maths, Economics, Business studies and Computer science. Im going to drop either Computer Science or Business as the workload is too much. In Business Im achieving A/A* while in Computer Science Im achieving low B's. The chances of me getting an A in Comp Sci by end of yr13 is low.

Preferably i would like to drop Computer Science however I've been warned to stay away from the Business Economics overlap. (Universities dont like this combination)

I want to apply for Economics at universities with requirements AAA - A*AA. Im thinking of applying to places like Manchester, Nottingham, Bristol, Birmingham, Loughborough. These universities don't mention anything about the overlap but Im still sceptical. What will be the best option going forward? Emailed and called some unis but majority are not answering.

For context im achieving A's in both Maths and Economics

Hi, sorry I can't answer your question but can I suggest reposting with a more specific thread title e.g. 'A Level Comp Sci or Business Studies for Economics degree?' That way you should get the Economics experts clicking. Good luck!

@sam122 Have you emailed the admissions depts of those universities and asked them? I find they are pretty responsive and helpful and quite clear. My son is going to be applying from the US (we're from the UK originally) and we've been having to ask this kind of question about overlapping subjects for his AP exams. He wants to read History. Some universities only want one History AP, some accept several and others don't care what the AP subjects are at all. It varies wildly.

I have seen some universities say they don't accept Business Studies either generally or for specific courses as one of the main three A levels. But many more do accept it, I more mention it just in case a university you are targeting is in that group. LSE for example has it on their list of 'non-preferred' subjects. https://www.lse.ac.uk/study-at-lse/Undergraduate/Prospective-Students/How-to-Apply/Admissions-Information

@sam122 given how ultra competitive Economics was this year, where lots of applicants with all Astar predictions were being declined, I'd recommend you also consider some lower ranked universities than the ones you've listed.

Probably worth a look on The Student Room website at the individual university 2023 application threads - a lot of these have offers spreadsheets on the 1st page which give an indication of the types of offers people were getting (or not) and their A levels and predictions.

For an example, see the Durham page- www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7253205 - the offers tracker is in the first post.

PS - don't leave it too long, as I think these files are removed once they set up the 2023 threads

I think you're right - I just checked economics courses at the uni my son was at and they don't like the overlap you mentioned. Tbh, I think it's better to keep your options open and perhaps not carry on with business, but you have to do what you think is right for you.

My son was studying Business A Level and getting really high marks but he quit and changed to a different subject because he said it was viewed as an 'easy' A Level. Maybe if you're absolutely sure which unis you want to apply for it doesn't matter, but what about if you change your mind?