The A Level Economics course is designed to give provide students with the necessary skills in order to understand how society works and why individuals, businesses and governments behave the way they do. Students will look at a wide range of current affairs issues from unemployment and the cost of transport, to wider issues such as income inequality and the impact of globalisation. The course allows students to develop their own opinions about how the economy works and how to structure their views into a coherent, sophisticated economic argument.

Students studying A level economics enjoy the freedom and flexibility to continue their studies in any field. Whilst progression to economics, business or other social science subjects is natural, the analytical and evaluative skills gained from A level economics are widely transferrable to courses and careers in accountancy, finance, statistics, history, politics and law.

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

YEAR 1

Microeconomics: Introduction to markets and market failure

Macroeconomics: The UK economy – performance and policies

 

YEAR 2

Microeconomics: Business behaviour and the labour market

Macroeconomics: A global perspective

 

ASSESSMENT

Students studying AS Economics sit two equally weighted papers at the end of their first year of study.

 

Paper 1: Microeconomics (Year 1 content only)

Paper 2: Macroeconomics (Year 1 content only)

 

Students studying A2 Economics sit 3 papers as follows. Students sit all three papers at the end of their second year of study.

 

Paper 1: Microeconomics – Markets and Business Behaviour (Year 1 and Year 2 content)

Paper 2: Macroeconomics – The National and Global Economy (Year 1 and Year 2 content)

Paper 3: Microeconomics and Macroeconomics (synoptic)

 

Papers 1 and 2 are worth 35% of the A level, whilst paper 3 is worth 30%