Economics
We would expect students to have met the expectations for entry to 6th form and to have a grade 5 in Economics if studied. We welcome conversations with individual students about their suitability for the course.
Why choose Economics at A level?
Economics is the right subject for you if you enjoy debating economic issues such as:
- inequality, immigration and how we should pay for healthcare
- using and interpreting data to analyse economic problems
- discussing alternative courses of action
- keeping up to date with national and international trends
Do I need to have studied economics or business before?
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t studied economics before. You might have an interest in economics and want to know more about the impact economics has on the world around you. You might want to investigate some of the stories you hear in the news – Why do some economies grow and others don’t? Will the Eurozone survive? Why didn’t economists predict the Global Financial Crisis? This course will help you to understand all this and more.
What will I learn?
Economics is about choice and the impact of our choices on each other. It relates to every aspect of our lives, from the decisions we make as individuals or families to the structures created by governments and firms. An economic way of thinking can help you make better choices. In Theme 1 and Theme 2 you will be introduced to the nature of economics, how markets work and why they fail. You will also consider the role of government and the UK economy. In Theme 3 and Theme 4 you will explore how businesses grow and compete, the labour market and how the government intervenes to make markets work better. You will also explore international trade, inequality within and between countries, emerging and developing economies, and the public finances. You will also have an opportunity to consider the role and impact of the financial sector.
How will I be assessed at A level?
Paper 1 - Short-answer, data response and essay questions on markets and business behaviour – this is the content you study in Theme 1 and Theme 3.
Paper 2 - Short-answer, data response and essay questions on the national and global economy – this is the content you study in Theme 2 and Theme 4.
Paper 3 - The questions in the exam – data response and essay questions – cover concepts and theory from the whole course.
What can I do after I’ve completed the course?
Studying economics will help you develop transferable skills that will prepare you for studying at university or moving into the world of work. These include skills in data interpretation and essay writing. Suitable higher education courses include economics degrees or degrees in applied economics such as environmental economics, labour economics, public sector economics or monetary economics. You might choose to study business economics, econometrics or a business and management degree. Economics students can follow a wide range of careers in industry, commerce, finance and the civil service.
Graduates with degrees in economics are in high demand and their average salaries are typically well above those earned by graduates in other subject areas.
If you have any further queries about this subject please email enquiries@beverleyj6.co.uk