Economics

Economics is a dynamic subject full of debate and discussion. It focuses on many crucially important and fascinating issues affecting people, businesses and countries. How can we maximise our welfare given our scarce resources? Without a successful economy there would not be enough wealth created for us to enjoy the goods, services and facilities that we may all take for granted.

Exam Board:  AQA
No coursework

Course structure

You will take two AS units at the end of the lower-sixth year, and two A2 units at the end of the upper-sixth. There will also be an opportunity for you to take some of the units halfway through the second year of your course. The exams consist of a mixture of multiple choice, data response, and essay questions.

The AS-level

We start the course by covering important topics such as the laws of supply and demand. You will learn how to apply basic theories to real markets, such as the housing market, or the music industry. You will also study important economic variables such as unemployment and inflation. To take unemployment as an example, you will learn about its causes, the variety of policies that government could use to cure it, and its effects on the economy. Throughout the course, we relate our theoretical ideas to the events of the real world.

The A2-level

Issues raised at AS-level are developed further at A2-level. You will learn about costs, revenues and profits for firms, and the way businesses operate in various markets. You will find out why workers are paid different wage levels and what economists believe should be done about issues of concern, such as pollution.

You will study international economics, including UK trade with other countries, whether or not the UK benefits from its membership of the EU, and another extremely topical debate... what caused the credit crunch and how can we solve it?

The one-year course

The same amount of material is covered as on a two-year course, so you will find it an intensive but potentially highly rewarding experience.

It is possible to join us for A2 having taken AS at another school, even if you have followed a different exam board. Please do contact us for advice.

Background needed

Although you do not need to know any Economics when you start, you need to have flair for writing essays and a love of debate. Your most important asset, however, will be an enthusiastic and committed attitude to a subject which we are sure you will find interesting.

Suitable combinations

You can combine Economics successfully with all other A-level subjects, particularly Mathematics and Sciences, English, Modern Languages, History, Geography and Politics.

After A-level

You can take a degree in Economics on its own or in combination and it provides an excellent foundation for related disciplines such as business management, finance and accounting. Careers in consultancy, teaching, journalism and government / administration are common for students who have studied this subject.

Our examination results are consistently outstanding, and our students often take up university places at establishments such as LSE, University College London and Warwick.