Economics is a very popular choice at A Level and students who have completed the course have described it as “fun, informative, interesting and very well organised”. People study Economics because they are interested in current affairs and they want to be informed about what is happening today. It also encourages analytical and evaluative skills, which are important transferable skills in our ever changing world. Results have been outstanding over the years and many continue studying economics at university. In 2015, 14 students carried on with a degree in Economics with an additional 4 studying economics-related subjects.
The Course
The course covers micro and macro-economics at A level and applying these concepts across a variety of themes in Year 13. It is a fascinating, topical subject that tries to explain how to make the best use of scarce resources. Micro-economics studies the world on a small scale e.g. why are women paid less than men? Should workers receive a minimum wage? Why do prices change overtime? Why are firms allowed to pollute? The second module economics on a large scale-macro-economics. This looks at issues such as: What can we do about unemployment? Should the UK leave the EU? Does the Government lie in its statistics? What is inflation and is it bad?
There is a final examination at the end of two years including papers on microeconomics, macroeconomics and the themes in economics, with each paper worth a third of the final score. These papers cover multiple choice, data response and essay questions and there is no coursework.
Economics is increasingly recognised as one of the most important and useful subjects to study at school and university. It allows students to access good jobs and transferable skills that are sought after in work. It is thus a subject of today with a close eye on a career for the future.