A-Level Economics
A Level Economics
Economics is not just a subject — it’s a lens through which to view the world. Whether you’re reading the news, shopping online, or planning your future, economic forces are always at play. Increasingly, acute economic issues are dominating the news and shaping the world we live in. This course encourages critical thinking and the analytical approach required to understand micro and macro economic concepts at both a domestic and global level. Studying how consumers, firms and governments make decisions that determine how resources are allocated will better equip you to understand your own role and the impact you can have on the world and your own future success.
Why Choose Economics?
Are you curious about why countries impose tariffs, why some businesses grow and others decline, or why governments intervene in markets by banning vapes but only taxing sugar? Studying Economics gives you the tools to understand the world and the power to shape it in the future. Economics is the study of how we make decisions – as individuals, businesses, and nations. It’s not just about money; it’s about understanding the forces that influence everything from job creation to climate policy. At St Bede’s, you will debate and explore real-world issues, be taught by passionate subject specialists who will challenge, support, and inspire you to think independently. The Edexcel Economics A Specification is split into three components as follows:
Microeconomics – Learn how markets work and what happens when they fail due to externalities. Discover how industries are structured, make decisions, employ people, grow, make profit, or fail; and why economic agents vacillate between logical decisions and tempting but irrational behaviour. Investigate monopoly power, oligopolistic collusion, contestability and profit. Finally, learn how the government intervenes using taxes subsidies and regulations to achieve environmental, economic and social sustainability for all.
Macroeconomics – Study the drivers of economic growth, inflation unemployment poverty and inequality and discover the major fiscal, monetary and supply side policy tools governments can use to control shifts in Aggregate Demand & Supply. Discover the workings of the financial sector and analyse its regulation. Evaluate the economic impacts of hot money flows, market investment and exchange rates on global trade and learn how the WTO negotiate global protectionist trends and the evolving balance between developing and developed nations.
Component 3 – This component draws on both themes, enabling students to think holistically and evaluate current affairs from multiple perspectives to analyse the impact an individual can have on the world. Topics are based on current affairs and address economic shocks resulting from war, protectionist tariffs, financial crisis, pandemics, cost of living crisis, nomadic global populations and the economic consequences of the AI revolution.
Assessment Information
Papers 1 (Microeconomics) & 2 (Macroeconomics):
• Paper 1 & 2 are each worth 35% and follow the same format – 2 hours – 100 marks:
• Section A – Shorter answers on five topics worth a total of 25 marks,
• Section B – Data response worth 50 marks,
• Section C – One extended essay drawing on industry knowledge from a choice of two worth 25 marks
Paper 3 (Synoptic) worth 30% – 2 hours 100 marks:
• Paper 3 is worth 30% – 2 hours – 100 marks:
• Two separate data response themes from topics across the course. Each Data Response is worth 50 marks in totall, broken down into several questions of varying size and one extended essay question from a choice of two.
Why Choose Economics at St Bede’s
• Specialist teaching staff who are all experienced external examiners.
• Links with Businesses and Industry speakers from areas such as banking and finance, and social media.
• Personal support and individual attention through small class sizes and ‘drop ins’.
• Specialist trips to support learning.
• Opportunities to enter competitions including Global Investor Simulated Stockmarket, Royal Economic Society Young Economist of the Year & John Locke Global Essay Competition in conjunction with Princeton and Oxford Universities.
What could I do at university after this course?
Economics is highly respected by universities and highly rewarded by employers. It opens doors to director level careers in finance, business, law, government and international relations. Economics is ideal for students who enjoy analytical thinking, current affairs, and exploring how the world works. No prior knowledge is required – just curiosity and a willingness to think critically.
What could I do at University after this course?
A Business qualification opens up a vast array of possible paths to follow. You may wish to study Business further as a complete subject at degree level or you may discover a particular interest in one area and specialise in areas such as Finance, Marketing or Human Resource Management. It is also a great subject to combine with most others, e.g. languages to open up a broader range of opportunities post university. Business is a widely accepted subject thanks to its diverse subject content and varied range of skills.