DD *may* read economics at uni. Should she take economics for A-level too?

[auldslapper]

DD is in year 10 and has recently started to think about choices for A-level subjects. The school's deadline for filling out the A-level subjects form is in spring 2023, but it's useful to have this time to think through the various subject combinations.

DD is certain she wants to take maths and biology, but can't make her mind up about the third subject. She is planning to take 3 A-levels only (and isn't considering further maths).

For the third subject, she's deciding between economics, chemistry, geography and history. Her preference is economics, but is basically an all-rounder so the other subjects would be fine too.

DD wants to go to uni and, although that is obviously a long way off, she has a notion of reading economics. My question is, if she chooses economics as one of her A-level subjects, would this put her at any disadvantage when applying to universities to read economics?

Furthermore, would it be boring to study economics for two years at A-level, and then have to rehash the whole thing during the first year at uni?

(For context, she's an academic soul and is hoping to be able to apply to Oxbridge and Russell Group unis, which I wonder might be more traditional in their A-level requirements?).

It does seem rather unfair and limiting that 15/16 years olds have to decide between 3 subjects, essentially putting them on a defined trajectory for their future career options...but that's probably for another thread!

Oh I agree no need in terms of being an entry requirement, and definitely agree Maths is needed. But so many kids think they're gonna love the subject only to take it at A level and realise that endless demand/supply graphs are actually really boring! Imagine committing to a three year degree then finding that you hate it!

maths is the most important A level by a distance to prepare for undergraduate economics, but economics is a very clear second (excluding further maths), it's at least modestly useful.

For Oxford and Cambridge, Further Maths is basically obligatory unfortunately! Look at the resource linked up thread. Whilst some colleges don't openly require FM (they can't, it's not offered everywhere), if it'd ob offer st her school she won't be considered if she doesn't take it. I work in 6th form university advising and I've seen it many times. I've seen a few get into LSE without it, but they tend to have 4 A* so stand out that way instead.

@Lapwingslore what course would you have taken for a finance career instead ?

we were faced with the same dilemma and my understanding was that the much more essay based than some of the most sought after courses, so the economics A level is not that close to the actual course.
Our school offer tasters once the GCSE exams are finished, would that be an option ?

I'd think that Chemistry would, with the other subjects, actually give her greater freedom of choice in case something changes over the next two years.

You definitely need a level economics if you are studying it at university. First year will be really difficult otherwise. Plus it's quite an interesting a level.

If she is looking at Oxbridge, she should no maths, FM, plus TWO other subjects. FM only really counts as half an A level. She will find the course difficult without FM. The other two subjects can be anything - biology is fine and I would recommend history rather than economics.

Econ A-level is probably more useful to someone who does not do economics at uni, because it gives you a taster of the subject. I don't think you have to do it in order to the degree.

But if she wants flexibility to choose later, then it is good to do maths + one essay subject (history or philosophy or politics) + something else she enjoys + further maths if possible.

I did economics A level and went on to do economics with a language at uni. Purely because I enjoyed economics and I enjoyed languages (I find doing subjects you actually enjoy makes a huge difference). I didn't do maths A level but was offered places by Cambridge and LSE. Having a base grounding from A level economics probably helped for the first term at uni. I found the maths at uni boring rather than hard but that's more a reflection of what interests me. I was also forced to do some history in my first year and that was miserable (again, horses for courses).

As others have said, I don't think doing an economics degree if you've had no experience of it is a great idea as some people love it (like I did) but it doesn't suit everyone and an undergrad degree is a hard way to find that out. Quite a few people on my course did accountancy A level and found that was as much use as a chocolate teapot for an economics degree.

Of the choices you have outlined in your original post I would take Chemistry. That will leave options open for a scientific career.

However and its a big however, I don't know your daughter or how well formed her career thoughts are.

FWIW I worked alongside many finance professionals whose A levels and Degrees were in the science and maths disciplines, but know only a handful who had studied Economics.

When I qualified the Accountancy profession was in a period of structural turbulence and a degree was a pre-requisite to higher level qualification. It is no longer like that. The profession is well structured with different routes of entry and numerous opportunities for specialisation.

A degree is no longer essential to entry, although it might be useful to guide career development.

if I had my time again I would still pursue my A Level choices of Maths, Physics, Biology and Chemistry but either study Medicine or if I was determined to work in Finance, an Accountancy degree. Economics was a total waste of time and gave me very few exemptions at Professional training level.

In the course of my career I worked at FD level in the Private, Public and Charity Sectors before starting my own Consultancy specialising in Change Management. The one area that fascinated me most and I wish I had become more involved in, was forensic accounting.

Just to correct some posters above but further maths A level isn’t essential for Economics and Management at Oxford, although it is for the more maths heavy Cambridge degree. I have a child who graduated in E&M in the last few years and they only took FM as an AS level - their A levels were Economics, Maths and History - although started with physics as well while deciding which one to continue. Did an EPQ on an economics topic. Much preferred the management side to the degree so that’s the area they are working in.

I read economics at undergrad. I was rubbish at maths and didn’t do it at A-Levels. Turned out I loved the maths- and stats-heavy modules, specialised in these, gained a First, scholarship for MSc and PhD in stats. Requirements may have changed now. Economics is very broad, eg development economics reuired no maths at all.

Agree that Maths is the vital and necessary A Level. Further Maths good if she is capable of it and is looking at very selective unis.

Re Econ A Level, it’s not vital and required but I’d recommend it, as it’s worth knowing if you actually do love it.

So 2 different things….what’s required in order to do the degree….and then what is probably advisable.

In my experience, those who take up A Level Economics really like it..very few don’t. And in many schools, it then is the most popular subject for a degree, or a related subject.

A good idea would be to ask the Econ Dept in her school if they can lend her a textbook. She can have a read and see if it grabs her.

Even if she doesn’t decide to do it as degree, it’s not a wasted subject or a soft option, so is going to be well regarded and useful. It won’t close doors. The only potential problem is if doing it pushes out something that then becomes required for a different degree choice, such as suddenly deciding to do medicine. But you can’t factor in every possible degree choice under the sun and meet all if their requirements. The A Level which is most required as a facilitating subject is Maths, so she will have that anyway.