A Level Economics is aimed at students who wish to gain an insight into the current economic environment through the study of an academic subject. You will study both micro-economic and macro-economic theories, relating to the performance of both the UK and international economy. The economy is a hot topic at present and the considerable coverage in the media will play an important role in lessons to widen and support subject understanding.
You will learn how to develop a critical approach to economic models and methods of enquiry. There is a significant amount of number work within all topic areas and you will regularly use statistical data which is commonly used by economists. You will develop skills to analyse and evaluate models in written, numerical and graphical form.
It is vital to keep up to date with current economic developments. Students are encouraged to regularly read a broadsheet newspaper and follow the economic news online. A genuine interest in the real world of economic news will enhance learning.
You will study the following topics:
Economics will complement a range of A Level subjects to enhance UCAS applications. It is also good preparation for a range of Business and Finance related degrees. Students will be expected to have studied A Level Maths if they wish to study Economics at degree level. The A Level is linear, with no assessment until the end of the 2 year course.
There are three 2 hour exams at the end of the course. One Micro-economy paper, one Macro-economy paper and one on wider economic principles and issues. All papers include data response questions and extended writing, with paper 3 also containing multiple choice questions.
The A Level will assess students’ quantitative skills applied in an economic context, forming 20% of the A Level course.