The study of Economics should enable students to understand the current economic issues that affect their lives. It should enable students to recognise problems faced by themselves and others and to offer informed comment on economic problems. Topics that regularly appear in the news such as interest rates, tax changes, minimum wage, unemployment and its costs, inflation and other related topics will all be analysed. An understanding of how the economy operates is essential to understand why participants in a market economy have to make choices and how these choices are interrelated and interdependent.

The study of Economics should enable students to understand the current economic issues that affect their lives. It should also enable students to recognise problems faced by themselves and others and to offer informed comment on economic problems.

The course aims to develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other. Students will look at economic problems and the ways economists think and work. They will learn how to apply supply and demand analysis to real-world situations and be able to offer explanations of consumer behaviour. This will involve looking at both how consumers act in a rational way to maximise utility and how firms maximise profit, but also why consumers may not behave rationally. Students will also gain an understanding of the economic issues facing the UK as well as wider, global economic issues.

At the end of this course, students should be capable of making an appraisal of government intervention aimed at promoting competitive markets. They will be able to explain why consumers, firms and governments act in the way that they do, and they should be able to discuss the implications of such decisions.

Students are encouraged to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of economics and to develop an ability to think as an economist.

The course is taught in classrooms, but students will also carry out practical activities as well as spending time answering exam questions. Students’ independent study will focus on consolidation of the work covered and preparation for future lessons.

Economics is taught by specialist staff from different backgrounds, and nine lessons take place over a two-week timetable with 4.5 hours of homework allocated per week. You will be expected to take part in discussions around current affairs, make notes on the topic areas studied and research recent and historical economic events.

Key concepts and theory will be taught in the context of UK, EU and International data that will be based when appropriate on current events. It is intended to provide a broad understanding of Economics and to provide a basis for further study of the subject. It will be necessary to read critically to gain information about the changing economy in which we live. Topics that regularly appear in the news such as interest rates, tax changes, minimum wage, unemployment and its costs, inflation and other related topics will all be analysed. An understanding of how the economy operates is essential to understand why participants in a market economy have to make choices and how these choices are interrelated and interdependent. It certainly should enable students to make more informed decisions on their own personal finances!

Year 12:

• Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure
• Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies

Year 13:

• Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market
• Theme 4: A global perspective

For A Level Economics there are three written examination papers. The first two each contribute 35% each and cover aspects of the first and second year of the course. The final exam makes up 30% of the final grade and covers all material from both years of the course.

The Exam Board is Edexcel, the name of the qualification is Economics A and the three papers are called:

• Paper 1: Markets and business behaviour
• Paper 2: The national and global economy
• Paper 3: Microeconomics and macroeconomics

All papers are 100 marks in 2 hours.

Please refer to our entry requirements document.

You do not need to have studied Economics at GCSE but, if you have, a grade 6 is required. The key is enthusiasm for the world of economics and an interest in economics news as it is reported on TV, the press and other media. The course also requires good analytical skills.

Widely respected by universities, Economics can act as a stepping stone towards almost any degree course because an A level in Economics shows that you are both mathematical and literate. It is a particularly useful A level for subjects that require a logical and analytical approach. Economics is a core subject in many of the professional examinations, in particular banking, insurance and accountancy. Economics will provide a good foundation for a career in the commercial world and many of our past students are now working in the City after studying Economics at degree level.