A level economics is not a traditional subject in the eyes of LSE. Iif he wants to do a BSc in Economics, he should add FM into the combination above.

Traditional subjects are the sciences, and the various mathematics combination for A-level. Accounting certainly isn't, so is business studies. Eng Lit might not be traditional, he has to check on that.

An A is always better than a B or C. I can't say that a B in physics is better than an A in business studies but I can say that an A in physics certainly looks better than an A in media studies or business studies.

Law is also not a traditional subject. So be careful.

When you speak about better universities, I take it that we are talking about UK universities. Some schools do depending on the degree program. As you probably know, LSE specifically prefers applicants with traditional A-level subjects for programs like BSc Economics. They also tell you how they fell about the various combinations for various programs.

Oxford and Cambridge also list the subjects that prefer to see in an application. Outside of the UK, it doesn't matter for the most part.

4th subject means in the event that you are able to score straight A*s, it means that you have the potential to be a very good student academically. If you end up failling or just passing the 4th subject, better just stick with 3 and do well in them. No point taking on 4 unless it's specifically stated, like medicine or some programs in some universities. In which case, you have to score straight 4As anyways.

Yah. Economics, history and eng lit are traditional subjects. My recollection of this memory is 6-7 years ago. So yah, literature, math and economics are acceptable.

I think that FM has to be a fourth subject if the degree program is not related to the natural sciences. The issue of breath would only crop up if one wants to do a degree in the social sciences, the arts or management. FM was my 3rd subject and I got an offer to do physics at Imperial. I am guessing that if my choice was civil or mechanical engineering, I could have secured an offer with that combination too.