A-Level Economics or Business Studies

[79abbot]

DS is interested in both Business Studies and Economics for A-Levels and he is finding it hard to choose one over the other. May I ask for feedback from parents whose DC sat either of these two subjects and maybe you can give advice on pros and cons to help him choose? Thank you!

@79abbot What does he want to do at University or for a career?

Economics, rightly or wrongly, is perceived as the more academic.

I wanted to do Businesss Studies (had already done the GCSE) but was told to do Economics instead, because like pp said, it was the more academic subject of the two. I absolutely hated it, but the one good thing to come out of it was I met my dh during one of the lessons 😆

I still went on to do a Business degree, so it didn't make a difference in that respect.

Has your ds done either at GCSE to give him an idea what to expect? What arr his other subjects? Just to give us an idea for future pathways.

Economics

Economics is more highly regarded.

What are his other options?

One of our local FE colleges groups A levels into pathways and you do
business studies, economics and maths So he could do both?

Find out the exam board and look up the syllabus for both. Look at how they are assessed.
This article is about the higher level of study, but explains the difference.
www.berlinsbi.com/blog/student-corner/is-it-better-to-study-business-or-economics
What are his post 18 plans? Which subject does he think he would get the higher grade in? If an onward course is not subject specific then grades will count more.
Look at university websites and apprenticeships adverts www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship and work backwards. Don't be afraid to contact the admissions/HR team and ask.
Most colleges have a 42 day rule, where, as long as there isn't a timetable clash, then subjects can be swapped if the wrong choice is made. Is this the case?
Have a look at these websites www.informedchoices.ac.uk/
www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/a-levels/choosing-your-a-levels-what-you-need-to-consider
Hope this helps x

I did Business Studies as one of mine many years ago. I am now an academic in one of the sub-fields. Let him do what he is more interested in. For me the advantage of business studies is that it is such a broad umbrella so you can try the different things and find your passion.

Ask DS which of the 2 subjects does he find easier to study for & pass
that’s the one he should select
There is a lot of flexibility in the world today when it comes to studying. Whichever subject choice he makes would not have any adverse impact on his career goals

Similar to @OneSecond I did Business Studies A Level and went on to study it at University and specialise in a sub-function.

The first year of my degree was a repeat of my A Level, just in more depth and had a bit more focus on economics actually.

I liked how broad both my A level and degree was, especially being a 16-18 year old who wasn’t sure what she wanted to do, it gave me a chance to learn a bit about all subjects. Personally, whilst economics sounds more academic, I think it can narrow you to one small aspect of studying business overall.

It’s a fascinating subject and so varied - you have Economics, Commercial Finance, Accounting, Procurement, Operations, HR, Analysis, Research and Development (NPD), Legal, Commercial, Sales, Marketing, Customers, Markets/Industries etc and studying all gives you a broad knowledge to then give options to specialise, even later in your degree.

By my final year of my degree, I elected subjects of the profession I’m in now, so specialised at that point (20 years old) and climbed a career ladder in that area. My degree continues (20 years later) to be a good basis of my knowledge.

I agree that you need to look beyond A levels to decide.

My DC has done Business Studies (after really enjoying Business Studies GCSE). He has enjoyed the breadth of the subject. He got a 9 at GCSE and is predicted an A*. I can't say whether he'd have got the same results with Economics (perhaps not).

The important point about that is that for the courses DC is interested in (Business/Management), its all about the grades. Very few specify any particular subjects. For my DC therefore, its better to get an A* in BS rather than an A or B in Economics. If you DC is aiming for Oxbridge, that might be slightly different (that wasn't a consideration for us).

It also comes down to what else he's taking - some unis want a mix of subjects which demonstrate English / language skills, and subjects which demonstrate mathematical ability - if your son is not taking Maths, then Economics is accepted by some unis e.g. Bath as a "mathematical" subject).

If your DC wants to go on and do Economics, then lots of unis specify Maths, but don't differentiate between BS and Economics.

As a general point, the choice is also about whether early vocational specialisation will suit your child. Others' posts show how that specialisation can work out. But what if there is a change of direction? This is very common in one's teens and early twenties.

In terms of degree subject, my daughter had done a big U-turn by the end of Year 12. The breadth in her A Levels allowed her to do this. In terms of career choice, she had done another big U-turn after her second year at University. Again, the broad applicability of her degree helped her.

Probably economics. What does he want to do after? Ds1 found Business the easiest of his 3 subjects. He now wishes he'd taken maths, for his accountancy course.

Bear in mind that an Econ degree at a good uni will probably require A Level Maths ...so not having it is fine if it’s just A level Econ they want to do.....but worth knowing now that to continue it beyond, they need to factor Maths in too. And if their Maths isn’t up to A Level Maths, whilst A Level Econ will be fine, an Econ degree really won’t be.

Might also depend on their general ability level and type of uni they will aim for. Business degrees will be found everywhere so you can do them with top notch A Levels or with mediocre grades. Econ is probably more likely to be in top i is and need higher grades - fine if DC is likely to get them.

Typically for a bright child, Econ is where I’d direct most people. It’s academic and perhaps keeps more options open ....including Business. You don’t need an A Level in either to do the degree afterwards...Maths is the big Econ facilitator for Econ and will always help Business too but I suspect far fewer found Business A Level are also doing A Level Maths. Whilst there will always be bright students doing Business, you will get more of a range of abilities there.

Perhaps consider Maths over either of those? Universities love Maths A’level and it is a key facilitating subject for lots of Economics degrees.