3 of the Biggest Differences Between JC and University Economics

As a JC student, there comes a certain point in your JC life when you have to start thinking about the future. By now, you have probably even been part of discussions revolving around university life, courses you want to take up and specialise in, and things you might be looking for when choosing a university. Some of you might want to continue taking up modules related to subjects you are studying currently – Economics being one of them! In fact, if you are reading this article right now, there might be a very good chance that you are looking to take up Economics in University. 

Of course, you cannot expect JC Economics to be the same as what will be taught during university. It is important for you to know how they differ and gather all the information you need before making an informed decision. So, we have compiled a list of differences between JC and university Economics!

Keep reading to find out more!

1. The Addition of Mathematics

This is probably one of the most noticeable differences between JC and university Economics. In JC, you are generally more exposed to essays, diagrams , case studies – generally speaking, a lot more theory and writing. For university Economics, it’s a lot of math, and heavy on the concepts. The exams are not usually heavy on essays – in fact sometimes, your assessments may be in MCQ format! But that doesn’t mean that it is easy – you might spend more time doing calculations & conceptual analysis instead of writing the whole thing out.

On the other hand, however, if you are not a fan of calculations or a little weak in your Math – you might want to pay extra attention to that to strengthen the basics if you are considering taking Econs in uni. Not to worry so much though! What you are taught in JC is the introductory part of Economics so if you have a good grasp of that, you should be alright in navigating the subject during Uni!

2. Wider Scope & Interdisciplinary Nature of the Subject

In JC, you spend an entire year for the microeconomics concepts, and another for macroeconomics. These are the two basic concepts to grasp when you first start studying Econs. However, by the time you reach university, you are exposed to a huge range of modules in the realm of Economics. Let’s put it this way – in most cases, the one year’s worth of microeconomics content taught in JC is actually condensed to a few months’ worth in university!

Economics in university is also highly integrated and there are numerous modules that are interdisciplinary. For example, there is Financial Economics – which is essential knowledge for those who wish to work in the finance sector, or Behavioural Economics, which is a blend of Econs and Psychology.

When you think about taking up Econs in Uni, it is definitely a good idea to look at the bigger picture and not just extrapolate based on the introductory concepts taught in JC.

3. The Ability to Specialise

In the previous point, we brought up how Econs as a subject is really diverse in terms of topics and concepts it has under it. Unlike JC where you did not have a choice in what you needed to focus on, in Uni you have the choice to take up modules specialised in one particular topic. Some such specialisations include – Quantitative Economics (these include modules with heavy emphasis on mathematical concepts & econometrics), or even Financial Economics, with modules relevant to knowledge needed to work in the finance sector. This means that you are given more liberty to play at your strengths, as well as the option to explore areas you are interested in!

Generally (depending on your course structure), you have a lot more freedom to choose what you want to study and eventually, specialise your degree in. It is therefore vital for you to do your own research about the course you wish to enter – so that you know exactly what you are going to study and can start equipping yourself with the necessary basic skills now.

We understand that it could be a little intimidating knowing all this, feeling the pressure of choosing what to study and specialise in given the array of options. It is always beneficial for you to be thorough in the fundamentals and have a strong understanding in basic Economic concepts – especially if you are planning to delve into this discipline in your further studies. This can also allow you to further understand what you are good at, and what really interests you!

As such, getting extra support through guided tuition is definitely an approach you should consider. Having guidance from experienced tutors (who also have been in your shoes) could help you iron out the gaps you might have in your learning as well! At JC Economics Tuition, we are here to provide the Economics support you need – under the capable hands of our star economics tutor, Mr. Anthony Fok!

So, what are you waiting for? Click here to find out more about our programmes today!