Economics

This two year A Level course broadly divides into two sections: micro-economics, which studies the various parts of the economy and macro-economics, which focuses on the national and international economy.

Micro-economics – we study the behaviour of individuals and firms, and we learn about how markets work and how sometimes they fail, requiring government intervention to put things right. We will be answering questions such as:
• What determines the way we spend our money?
• Do firms always try to maximise profits and how are prices determined?
• Why are houses, energy and food so expensive?
• Why are income and wealth so unevenly distributed?
• Why are pop stars and footballers paid so much?
• Should we be worried about the power of big business?
• Do government policies work or just make things worse?

Macro-economics – we focus on the UK economy in both the European and the global context. We will be answering questions such as:
• How can we make our economy grow to improve our standard of living?
• What are the best ways to bring down unemployment?
• Should we be worried about inflation?
• Do we need to improve our banks to avoid another “credit crunch”?
• Why does the UK export so little and import so much?
• Were we right to leave the European Union?
• Why is the rise of China and India such a threat to us?
• What can be done to reduce poverty in developing countries?
• Is the government right to be cutting people’s benefits?
• Will house buyers be able to afford their mortgages when interest rates rise?

No Coursework
Examination (100%) – There will be three two-hour papers at the end of the course (each worth 33.3% of the A level), for which we will prepare you thoroughly. Paper 1, will examine the microeconomics and Paper 2 the macroeconomics (see above). Both of these exams require you to select one from two data response exercises in Section A and one from three essays in Section B. The third paper is based on the whole specification and comprises a series of multiple choice questions and a case study.
Examining Board – AQA.

Learners are required to have a minimum grade 5 in either GCSE English Language or Mathematics, in addition to the College’s standard A level entry requirements. here is a need to be genuinely numerate, as we will be analysing and interpreting data and making simple calculations, and you must be able to express yourself well, as you are expected to evaluate arguments.

None. Economics goes well with all subjects. A popular combination is to study Economics alongside Business, Accountancy and/or Law.

A high proportion of our economists go on to study Economics or a closely related course at University. Popular careers include being a professional Economist, Law, Accountancy, Marketing, Journalism, Finance, Investment, Business Management, Politics, Aid and Charity work and Government employment. Economics is a qualification well-respected by employers.

None.