Economics A Level
A Level Economics encompasses subjects associated with both micro and macro economics including the market system, market failure and government intervention and the national and international economy, in order to give you an understanding of a range of economics topics.
As well as being equipped to handle modern life with a broad knowledge of economics, there are a number of university choices and career options where having A Level Economics is preferable or, in some cases, absolutely necessary. Having this qualification shows you have the ability to analyse and understand economic subjects, as well as sound financial knowledge and essay-writing skills.
Entry requirements
A minimum of 4 GCSE subjects at grade 5 or above. For this course, students must have a grade 5 in GCSE English and Maths.
What will I study?
Economics will give students a broad understanding of a variety of topics over the course of two years covering both microeconomics and macroeconomics.
Microeconomic subject content - Individuals, firms, markets and market failure:
- Economic methodology and the economic problem
- Individual economic decision making
- Price determination in a competitive market
- Production, costs and revenue
- Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly
- The labour market
- The distribution of income and wealth: poverty and inequality
- The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets
Macroeconomic subject content - The national and international economy:
- The measurement of macroeconomic performance
- How the macroeconomy works: the circular flow of income, AD/AS analysis, and related concepts
- Economic performance
- Financial markets and monetary policy
- Fiscal policy and supply-side policy
- The international economy
Method of delivery
You will be in College four days a week, with your studies being classroom based; there is no online delivery on this course.
How will I be assessed?
Three A Level exams are sat at the end of Year Two and assess the content from both Year One and Year Two. Each paper is a written paper, marked out of 80, is worth 33.33% of the A Level and is 2 hours long.
Paper 1 covers the Micro content and has two sections. Section A: data response questions requiring written answers, choice of one from two contexts worth 40 marks. Section B: essay questions requiring written answers, choice of one from three worth 40 marks.
Paper 2 covers the Macro content and has two sections. Section A: data response questions requiring written answers, choice of one from two contexts worth 40 marks. Section B: essay questions requiring written answers, choice of one from three worth 40 marks.
Paper 3 is a synoptic paper covering both Micro and Macro content. Section A: multiple choice questions worth 30 marks. Section B: case study questions requiring written answers, worth 50 marks.
Good course combinations
Economics combines well with A Level Business, Accounting, Maths and any of the Social Sciences.
Your next steps
The course will prepare you for higher education economics courses or can form a component of a joint degree with a wide range of other subjects, or lead to higher apprenticeships. Possible careers could include working in financial markets, business management and corporate law.
Business A Level
A Level
Subject Area
Business, Tourism & Professional Studies
Study Mode
Full-time
Start Date
September 2025
Duration
2 years
Level
Level 3
