A Level - Economics

Course Summary

Subject: Economics

Course Title: A Level - Economics

Course Types: Sixth Form

Course Level: A-Level

Course Description

Introduction and Course Description

Economics is about how people behave in the ordinary business of their lives and how they make decisions about employment and purchases both as employers and employees. It is not necessary for students to have any prior knowledge of either Economics or Business before starting this course. The course is equally suited to those who wish to study Economics or related subjects at University and provides a worthwhile foundation in the subject for those with other higher education interests. Economics will be of interest to those students interested in analysis in a wide range of topical issues in current affairs ranging from unemployment, inflation, globalisation, and the problems of less developed countries and European integration. The course is very much designed to give students an economic understanding of real world events and current affairs.

Subject Units

Year 1

Introduction to Markets and Market Failure - The nature of economics, how markets work, market failure, government intervention.

The UK Economy – Performance and Policies - Measures of economic performance, aggregate demand, aggregate supply, national income, economic growth, measures of economic performance.

Year 2 

Business Behaviour and the Labour Market - Business growth, business objectives, revenues, costs and profits, market structures, labour market, government intervention.

A Global Perspective - International economics, poverty and inequality, emerging and developing economies, the financial sector, role of the state in the macroeconomy.

Future Opportunities

The broad and multi-disciplinary nature of Economics, and its application to a wide range of current issues that call upon students to demonstrate the transferability of their knowledge, understanding and skills, makes it an ideal vehicle to assist candidates in developing their knowledge and understanding of key skills and to produce evidence of their application. Every module includes opportunities to develop all key skill areas, both ‘hard’ and ‘soft’. At the last count, there were over 1500 Economics or Economics related degree courses being offered at University.

Is there anything else I should know?

The courses will provide a smooth transition from GCSE and will give an excellent foundation for further study of Economics or Business and Management in Higher Education. The material, having a strong empirical bias, will provide a useful background for any candidate wishing to pursue a career in business and finance. In addition, there will be an opportunity to be part of the Wirral Grammar School for Boys Entrepreneurial Society. Currently, as part of the course we run field trips to Lancaster University Management School, A-level Economics Conference in Manchester and the BASE Business Challenge (ICAEW) this gives the opportunity for students to see ideas being put into practice.

Course Entry Guidelines

Given the quantitative nature of the course coupled with the requirement to write a number of detailed essays, it is essential that pupils attain a minimum Grade 6 in either English Language or Literature and a minimum Grade 6 in Mathematics in their respective GCSEs

See what career this course can give you access