Economics A

Course outline

Edexcel

Economics is a subject of interest to anyone who likes current affairs and is concerned about global issues such as poverty, economic development or the environment. Economics is in the news every day, as countries all over the world continue to come to terms with the aftermath of the Credit Crunch and the global recession.

The course is taught through 4 distinct themes:

• Theme 1: Introduction to Markets and Market Failure.

• Theme 2: The UK Economy, Performance and Policies.

• Theme 3: Business Behaviour and the Labour Market.

• Theme 4: Global Perspective.

There are 3 exam papers, each 2 hours long, there is no coursework

Economics is an ideal subject if you want to study PPE, Economics, Politics, Philosophy, Accountancy, Management, International Relations, work in the City or Law, be an entrepreneur, a journalist or a civil servant. Economics complements both arts and science subjects. Those who are most suited to Economics are able to communicate their ideas in words and numbers, so you need to be literate and reasonably numerate. If you find Mathematics difficult then you might find some Economics tricky to follow. Most Economics degrees require A Level Mathematics.

Economics at A Level will develop your knowledge and understanding of how a modern economy works and the options available to the government when trying to improve its performance. How can we increase growth, reduce unemployment, prevent inflation, provide an efficient healthcare service and tackle traffic congestion? These are some of the problems that you will examine in this fascinating and challenging subject.

All our students enjoy the close relationship we have with the University of Bath’s Economics Society and benefit from working with lecturers and undergraduates in school. Our students also attend a day long Economics Forum at the university meeting and listening to leading economists.

We will be visiting a major company as part of the course. This year we went to the Jaguar factory in Birmingham to see at first hand what a world class production plant is like, and how the company retains its edge in a ferociously competitive market.

“I chose Economics at A Level because it is a subject that encompasses all that I am passionate about. I have always been interested in current affairs and studying Economics at this level has just enforced this interest. I have decided to continue studying it along with Politics at university because, after gaining an insight into economies and how they work, I am hungry to learn more.”