Commerce or Economics

cookiecutter99

Hi
I'm starting to research courses and im considering Commerce or economics in UCD I was just wondering what the course is like,How much maths (I do ordinary level) is involved,which one is simple etc. I really like leaving cert business (economics clashed with business so couldnt pick it)...any other information on the course/university?

Thanks so much

qmzp

You will need to take a basic module in maths (probably halfway between pass and honours LC level) in first year Commerce, but you can basically avoid maths after that. Economics starts of light and gets heavier on math and statistics/econometrics in second and third year. Commerce is heavier on group projects and presentations, while economics is heavier on individual learning and problem sets.

Kiltennel

You can get into Commerce with ordinary maths while you can only major in Economics through arts if you sit ordinary maths is my understanding. To study pure economics you must have sat higher maths and been awarded a HC3 or better to the best of my knowledge, I'm open to correction on this. That said, in final year Commerce you can specialise in economics modules if you wish. In first year you will study the introduction macro & micro modules, while in second year you can study the intermediate modules for your electives if you so wish.

Other things to take into account include that Commerce is based in Quinn School which is a pretty nice building while the Arts block is pretty depressing in my opinion. In Commerce you'll have plenty of group projects and presentations making it easier to get to know people, economics for the most part you're on your own.

qmzp wrote: »

You will need to take a basic module in maths (probably halfway between pass and honours LC level) in first year Commerce, but you can basically avoid maths after that. Economics starts of light and gets heavier on math and statistics/econometrics in second and third year. Commerce is heavier on group projects and presentations, while economics is heavier on individual learning and problem sets.

Debatable. Many people who sit ordinary level find the maths in Data Analysis, Principles of Finance and Business Analytics hard to grasp so you'll encounter maths throughout second year also. That said, all modules are quite straightforward if you do the work, that's the important part. Economics involves a lot more maths as said but there's many modules available to choose from so if you are struggling with the maths OP, you can try to minimise the amount of modules you'll be doing which require heavy quantitative skills.

Either way OP both are good courses with interesting material to study. My personal choice would be Commerce but that's because I prefer the content the course covers in comparison to Economics while I can still study the basics of Economics through it, the same can't really be said for Economics as a course. Best thing to do would attend the next UCD open day, speak to students from both courses and take a look around Quinn School / Arts block to determine what course you think you've a better fit with.

qmzp

Kiltennel wrote: »

Many people who sit ordinary level find the maths in Data Analysis, Principles of Finance and Business Analytics hard to grasp so you'll encounter maths throughout second year also. That said, all modules are quite straightforward if you do the work, that's the important part.

That's a fair assessment.