A Level Requirements For Economics & Application Advice

This article will help you decide what A-Levels to take for Economics at university. We’ve compiled a list of the best A-Level subjects for Economics degrees so you can make an informed decision about your future.

Choosing the right A-Levels can be confusing. You want to ensure you’re taking the right courses to give you the best chance to get into the university for Economics.

If you’re a keen student looking for more information on Economics at university, our Economics Summer School students get  1:1 personalised tutorials with expert Economics tutors.  

But first, let’s check out the A-Level entry requirements of the best Economics universities in the UK, starting with the University of Oxford.

University of Cambridge

Cambridge Economics graduates are qualified for a wide variety of careers. Why? Because they learn to incorporate ideas from several disciplines, including:

• Statistics
• Mathematics
• Sociology
• History
• And Politics 

Economics at Cambridge thoroughly understands pure, core, and applied economics.

What are the A-Level requirements to be qualified for Cambridge Economics? A*A*A, with Mathematics. Cambridge recommends taking Further Mathematics. 

University of Oxford

Do you know that the University of Oxford is a world-renowned leader in Economics? It has one of the largest collectives of academic economists worldwide. It’s another university featured on our 8 best UK universities for economics (which is worth checking out!)

There are three Economics courses available at Oxford, including:

Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE)

Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) at Oxford was born out of the conviction that studying the three subjects together has the power to transform students’ intellectual lives. Eventually impacting society at large. 

By studying this course, students learn to analyse information to an advanced degree. 

The A-Level requirement necessary to take PPE at Oxford is AAA. Maths is a recommended A-Level Subject.

In addition, History is considered a helpful degree (but not required.)

Economics & Management

Discover Uni reports that 85% of Oxford Economics & Management graduates are employed or enrolled in further study within 15 months after graduation. 

Of those employed, 95% work in highly-skilled professions, with 50% working in the Finance industry. 

What are the A-Level requirements for Economics & Management at Oxford? A*AA, including Maths at A or A*. 

History and Economics

You’ll acquire two significant skills by studying Oxford’s Economics & History course:

• Quantitative and Analytical skills from Economics
• Detailed approach to argumentation and evidence from History

Both of which will open a range of 

• Financial
• Professional
• and Academic careers for you. 

To apply, you’ll need AAA. Recommended subjects include History and Maths.

London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE)

The London School of Economics and Political Science has two Economics courses for undergraduate students:

Economics

Are you looking for an Economics degree that will help you:

• Develop thorough analytical skills
• Address crucial social issues
• Tackle policy questions

Then, you’ll enjoy LSE’s Economics course if you resonate with these three.

What’s the standard A-Level requirement? A*AA with an A* in Mathematics. The contextual offer? A*AB, including an A* in Mathematics.

Further Mathematics is preferred. However, if you take Maths and Further Maths together, choosing an essay-based subject for your third A-Level is best.

Economics and Economic History

Do you want to focus on practical questions about real-world economies? If yes, you may be interested in checking out LSE’s Economics and Economic History. 

It studies the factors that influence economic development. Affecting the changes previous economies went through. 

The standard A-Level requirement for application is AAA, with an A in Mathematics. So what’s the contextual offer? AAB, with an A in Mathematics.

Economic History and Geography 

Economic History helps you understand factors that influenced economic development through the decades. 

What about Geography? It sharpens your understanding of the following:

• Economic
• Environmental
• And the social aspects of Geography
• Plus, worldwide policy processes

To be eligible for LSE’s Economic History and Geography, you’ll need AAB. The contextual offer is ABB. 

What subjects are essential? There needs to be at least 1 essay-based subject, such as Economics and Modern Foreign Languages. 

Preferred subjects are humanities and social science subjects, including:

• Economics
• History
• Government
• Geography  

University College London (UCL) 

Do you want to explore real-world problems using economic analysis, theories, research, and quantitative tools? Then you’ll find the Economics degree at the University College London intellectually stimulating and fulfilling. 

By taking UCL’s Economics degree, you’ll learn from experts with immense research experience and innovative teaching methods. 

The A-Level offer is A*AA, with Mathematics at A*. So if you took Economics at A-Level, it must be at A.

What’s the contextual offer? A*AB with A* in Mathematics. 

University of St. Andrews

What are the major topics you’ll encounter when you study Economics at St Andrews?

• Macroeconomics
• Behaviour Economics
• International Economics & Development
• Choice Theory
• Game Theory
• Competition and Innovation
• Climate Change

You’ll need A-Level grades between ABB-AAA to apply for Economics at the University of St Andrews. No specific subjects are required. But the demonstration of mathematical ability is essential. 

Graduate Destinations For Economics Graduates

Where do Economics graduates go after completing their course? The Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services “What do graduates do?” 2021/22 survey reports the following:

• 59.6% of Economics graduates are working full-time within 15 months after graduation.
• 8.6% proceed to further study full-time
• Of those employed, 59.3% work as Business and Finance professionals.

Let’s zoom in and check out graduate destinations from some of the Top Economics schools in the UK. 

Where Do Cambridge Economics Graduates Go? 

Discover Uni reports that 89% of Cambridge Economics graduates work or study further within 15 months after graduation. They enjoy an average entry-level salary of £42,000.

Many Cambridge Economics graduates go on to work in a variety of occupations, such as:

• Professional Economists
• Finance
• Management
• Consultancy
• Accountancy 
• Actuary
• Government

Where Do Oxford Economics and Management Graduates Go? 

Do you know that Oxford Economics and Management graduates are highly sought after by employers? Graduates have secured positions in the following:

• Banking
• Finance
• Journalism
• Research
• Civil Service 

Where Do St Andrews Economics Graduates Go? 

90% of St Andrews Economics graduates proceed to work or further study within 15 months after graduation. So what’s their average entry-level salary? £28,000.

What are the popular career destinations for recent St Andrews Economics graduates?

• Economics Consultancy
• Management Consultancy
• Business Intelligence Analysis
• Accountancy
• Broadcasting and Journalism
• Research Analysis
• Risk Management
• Financial Services Analysis

Can You Do Economics at Uni Without Maths? 

No, you can’t. Some universities, such as the University of St Andrews, may accept applications without Maths at A-Level. 

But St Andrews stated that you must be able to demonstrate mathematical ability. And having finished advanced Mathematics in school is preferred. 

You can’t do Economics without Maths because Economics is heavy in mathematics and statistics. 

If you’re horrified at the prospect of taking Maths at A-Level, there’s a huge possibility you won’t enjoy Economics at the university!

It’s worth checking out what you learn in a-level economics to see if it’s worth taking Maths to enhance your chances.

Is Economics a Good Major?

Do you know that Economics, along with other business subjects, has a higher full-time employment rate than the average across all other subjects? 

After all, 59.6% of Economics graduates worked full-time within 15 months after graduation. What’s the average salary of Economics graduates who didn’t undergo significant further study? £29,912

Economics also makes better entry-level money compared to Business and Management Studies (£24,135-£25,914) and Marketing (£22,638.)

What Can You Do With an Economics Degree? 

Do you want to learn more about what you can do with an Economics degree? Then, you may want to check out “What Can You Do With An Economics Degree?”

If you’re looking to study economics, there are a few essential A-Level subjects you’ll need to take. Mathematics is one of them – it’s a standard essential for many economics courses.

So if you’re interested in this field, get started on your maths studies early for better preparation!