A Level Economics

Many of the most important issues facing society are economic in nature.

Whether you are concerned with global warming or global trade, whether you are looking at the collapse of world financial markets or the collapse of your neighbour's small business, you can't get far without knowledge of economics.

About the Course

There has never been a more exciting time to study Economics! Whether your interests lie with global warming or global trade, you will broaden your horizons through the study of the concepts in this fascinating subject. This course aims to stimulate your interest in how economies work – at a personal, national and global level.

Some issues you will investigate include: why are footballers paid more than nurses? Why do some consumers act irrationally by smoking? How has the Covid 19 pandemic impacted the UK and global economy? Why is the debate around global fish stocks so important? Most news headlines are about Economics – by studying Economics you will gain a greater understanding of what is happening in your world.

Opportunities unique to this course

Economics students will gain valuable analytical skills, such as interpreting a range of graphic forms and being able to digest essential information from texts, which are highly desirable in the workplace. There are also opportunities to participate in the Cambridge University Festival of Ideas by participating in a challenge to run the economy.

Course content

Theme 1 (micro)
Introduction to markets and market failure

• Nature of economics, how it is a social science
• How markets work, including supply, demand and the price mechanism
• Market failure, when markets fail to allocate resources efficiently
• Government intervention to correct market failure

• Measures of economic performance (e.g., growth, inflation)
• Aggregate demand and supply models
• National income and how it is measured
• Macroeconomic objectives and policies including fiscal, monetary and supply-side policies

• Business growth
• Business objectives
• Revenues, costs and profits
• Market structures
• Labour market
• Government intervention.

• International economics
• Poverty and inequality
• Emerging and developing economies
• The financial sector
• The role of the state in the economy.

Consists of three written exams lasting 2 hours each:

Paper 1: Markets and business behaviour (35%)

Paper 2: The national and global economy (35%)

Paper 3: Microeconomics and macroeconomics (30%)

You need to be qualified by both the relevant Admissions Score AND the predicted GCSE grade for each A level you apply for.

Please go to the College website to find the most up-to-date entry requirements for each A level that we offer: https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/a-level-subjects

You can also visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/apply to find out more about making your application.

Many students choose to study Economics at university and there is specific support for Oxbridge candidates. Other students explore the opportunities of apprenticeships with the Bank of England or choose to study international relations, business management or accounting and finance.

For more information and to read the FAQs for this subject visit www.hillsroad.ac.uk/economics