Economics

Course Description

The A level is split into 4 themes which are examined in three, 2 hour papers at the end of the 2 year course. The external examination papers are divided into 3 constituent elements namely section A which is a test of the basic subject matter (25 marks), section B which is based upon answers to a series of data response questions (50 marks) and section C which is based upon success in providing a comprehensive evaluative response to a long answer question (25 marks).

Theme 1 focuses on microeconomic concepts where students will develop an understanding of how markets work, when markets don’t work as they should and how governments intervene in markets.

Theme 2 focuses on macroeconomic concepts where students will develop an understanding of aggregate demand and supply and how macroeconomics policy instruments can be used to achieve particular macroeconomic objectives such as low and stable inflation and high levels of employment.

Theme 3 focuses on revenue, costs and profit, different market structures and the economics of the labour market including the factors which influence the demand for labour and the impact of the National Minimum Wage.

Theme 4 includes the study of globalisation and the impact of multinational companies on the global economies. Students will also explore why some countries are poor and what can be done to help them to develop.

The course provides opportunities to work collaboratively with other members of the class. Points test are set regularly to ensure that knowledge is understood and fully assimilated as the course progresses. There are also regular formal assessment where students become increasingly exposed to the question formats which will face them in the final examination.