Economics studies the logic of the choices we make as a society. We start at the elementary level of consumers buying goods and services and go on to develop an understanding of how and why governments choose between different national objectives. We will look at a range of issues from trying to understand why some economies are not developing as rapidly as others, to looking at how individual consumers behave in the exciting new field of behavioural economics. The course will give you a thorough grounding in economic ideas and an understanding of what makes the economic system tick.
The A Level is divided into two major parts: macroeconomics and microeconomics.
Microeconomics is the study of individual markets, and how they operate and evolve. The price of property, oil, and chocolate are all of interest, as is behavioural economics, where we try to understand why people behave irrationally.
Macroeconomics takes a step back, looks at the bigger picture, examining the economy as a whole and investigating some of the fundamental challenges facing the government: interest rates, inflation, balance of payments, budget deficits, and unemployment.
No prior knowledge of economics is required, nor do pupils need to take maths A Level.
Exam board: AQA
Course name: A Level Economics
Beyond the curriculum
The department runs a variety of enrichment activities, including Young Enterprise. Young Enterprise is not solely for economics or business pupils but is open to all those who are interested in enterprise and entrepreneurship.
The economics society, which is run by pupils, invites guest speakers to give a broader understanding of how economics works in the world. Speakers have included fund managers and market analysts from the City of London, bankers and professional economists from international institutions, and economics lecturers from local universities.
Pupils are also able to go on the economics trip to London, which includes visiting the City of London and the Bank of England and attending student conferences.
