Readers Question: could you please help me. should i take business or ecomomics at A level? i have got an A in business at gcse but im not sure which one to take.
I often get asked, which is the better subject – Economics or Business Studies.
I have taught a little business studies (though never studied it), but my main preference is for Economics.
Many have a feeling that Economics is more of an ‘academic subject’ and therefore more valued by Universities. It is one of those things that have slipped into popular belief, and it is hard to evaluate whether Universities really do value Economics more than Buiness Studies. My feeling is that, if they do prefer Economics it will be marginal at best.
There is some overlap between Economics and Business Studies. – some macroeconomics (called external influences in business) and concepts like economies of scale. But, generally they are stand alone subjects. Business studies examines management techniques and accounting practises such as profit and loss / cash flow e.t.c.
Economics deals with macro economics in more detail. Micro economics is concerned with things like Monopoly and externalities (e.g. pollution)
Which is Easier?
Some students swear Economics is easier. Some swear Business Studies is easier. Often, it depends on how it is taught.
Note: Only limited Maths is required for A Level Economics. (e.g. how to calculate a % – something most A Level maths students can never do)
My Advice
– Choose the subject you think will be most interesting and motivated to study. Don’t worry too much about your degree. You can start an economics degree usually without having done Economics A Level – though maths A level is often needed.
About The Author
I personally think that Business Studies is a more useful subject. Economics is about saving the world. And many of us cannot do that. Yes, there is a slight overlap between business and economics, but students learn far more in Buisness Studies than in Economics.
hi im in yr 10 and my current chosen subjects for next year are:
maths extension
english extension
chemistry
physics
SOR1
economics
I’m worried that my subjects will be to hard for me but i was recommended to do all of them. I’m pretty good with essay writing so do you think economics is right for me or should i change from economics and physics to modern history and business?
In my research into top university courses (top 15 in England) I’ve found that two of these unis are explicitly clear about business studies being a soft subject. Therefore, choose according to the university you want to go to …e.g don’t take business studies if you want half a chance of getting into LSE!
To what tejvan said, does this only apply to the A-levels? For example, I have studied GCSE Business Studies then Economics A-level, how would this be looked at?
i myself am choosing A level subjects to take next year and after doing quanities of research especially on the internet and recent articles on the ‘Times’ I have heard Economics is a stronger subject. The difference between Economics and Business Studies does exist, but Economics is acemically stronger and harder from what I have been told. Depending on which University you may wish to go to depends largely on which subject is going to be most appropriate to study but if you are looking at the likes of Oxford, Cambridge, and other top universities I would acknowledge that if you wish to progress to anything business related as a degree, Economics would be highly useful.
i am reely confused about wat to take in my A level… I am confused among Business Studies and Economics…. People told me that economics is preferred more to business studies at universities….. i am extremely worried abt this matter coz my AS level exam is on june nd still i cant decide which subject to take…..
So i will be really grateful if u give me a solution to my problem….. plz do it as soon as possible….