Entry requirements
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- Six GCSEs 9-4 (or A*-C)
- Two from English, Maths OR Science
- Two at least grade 6
Course specific requirements: GCSE Maths grade 9-5, WITH GCSE English grade 9-4
A Few Examples of What You Will Learn in A Level Economics
- Why did the price of puppies rival the price of small cars during the global pandemic in 2020?
- Will heavy taxes on cigarettes help to reduce the burden on the NHS?
- What can the government do to make people use public transport and protect the environment?
- Why does the UK make less cars these days?
- Will there be more good jobs for everyone following BREXIT?
- Should the government raise taxes on the rich to lift people from poverty?
Course Details
MICROECONOMICS
You will study microeconomics during both years. You will find out about how consumers and producers make decisions on how much to buy and sell and at what price. You will be able to explain and discuss how the government can influence individual markets to encourage people to do what is right for them or to control the power of large businesses such as Apple or Google.
MACROECONOMICS
You will study macroeconomics during both years. You will find out what influences the cost of living, why some people struggle to find employment and whether trade is good for the world. You will be able to explain and discuss what governments can do to create a better standard of living for their citizens and ensure that wealth and income are distributed fairly.
EXAMINATION
There is no course work. At the end of the 2 year course, you will complete three 120 minutes exam papers on microeconomics, macroeconomics and a combination of both. The papers will contain extended essays and short answer questions which analyse economic data.
Skills
During the course you will develop your analytical and evaluative skills. You will learn how to interpret graphs and how to manipulate numerical data. In order to do well on the open response questions you will develop the ability to analyse competing arguments before arriving at an informed evaluative judgement which can be fully justified using the knowledge which you have assimilated over the two year course and the information provided.
Careers/Destinations
Many of our students leave college to take up places at Russell Group universities including Oxford, Cambridge and LSE with many Economics graduates gaining employment in commerce and banking (and some securing roles within the City of London itself).
Economics
Does Economics have any specific entrance requirements?
Economics has a requirement for students to have achieved at least
a Grade 5 in their GCSE Mathematics. This is due to the high level of
numeracy skills required in the subject.
Does it matter if I have not studied GCSE Economics before?
Very few students have studied Economics at GCSE before starting
the A-Level course. There is no requirement to have studied it
before.
What work will be expected to complete outside lesson?
You will be expected to complete 4 – 6 hours of work for all subjects
outside lesson per week. In Economics in addition to homework and
preparation for tests, it is important that you devote sufficient time
to reading about current affairs in order to improve your ability to
apply the subject to the real world.
Is there a lot of Maths in A-Level Economics?
Around 25% of the marks awarded for the A-level course come from
numeracy/ problem solving questions. The A-level does require
strong numeracy skills and a good ability to problem solve but does
not overlap with Mathematics A-Level.
Do we have to write many essays in Economics?
Economics is an essay-based subject and the majority of the marks
awarded at A-level come from structured analytical and evaluative
essay writing. A good grasp of current affairs from the UK and
global economy will enable you to bring real-world context into
your writing, which is necessary in A-Level Economics.
Why should I study A-level Economics at Loreto?
Economics is a traditional, academic A-level, which gives students
excellent skills in terms of logical thinking, problem-solving and
analytical skills. Economics as a social science can be useful to show
a wide-ranging skills base when studied alongside other subjects.
Furthermore, each year we have a number of students who apply to
study Economics and gain places at universities such as Oxford,
Cambridge and LSE. If you study only sciences alongside Economics,
it demonstrates your ability to complete well-reasoned extended
writing. If you study only essay-based subjects alongside
Economics, it demonstrates your numeracy skills.
Are there any recommended resources to prepare for Alevel Economics?
It would be helpful if, in preparation for starting the course, that
you ensure that you are keeping up to date with global economic
affairs and UK economic policy decisions.
Which examination board do you use?
We follow the Edexcel Economics A Specification.
Will I need to do A-Level Maths if I want to study Economics at University?
Not necessarily. However, to study economics as a BSc degree at a
number of Russell Group Universities you will be expected to
achieve a Grade A in A-Level Mathematics. This is due to the nature
of some Economics degrees, for example at Cambridge and LSE.