Why do petrol prices keep going up and down? Why are interest rates currently high? Why are businesses finding it hard to raise finance? Why are there NHS waiting lists? These are real life questions that economics helps you to answer. The basic economic problem is that there are limited resources and unlimited demand for these resources
The AQA A-level Economics course covers both microeconomic and macroeconomic theory.
- Microeconomics: concerned with individual consumers and firms. Issues covered include how consumers make choices, how firms make business decisions, the economic causes and consequences of environmental pollution, powerful monopoly firms, unequal income distribution and the study of alternative economic systems.
- Macroeconomics: concerned with issues affecting the entire economy. These include inflation, unemployment, economic growth, the exchange rate, the balance of payments and the UK’s future relationship with the European Union. The impact of globalisation and its consequences for the UK economy are also considered.
Economics is a wonderful subject to take if you are interested in humanities. It fits so well with many other subjects such as history. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to have a good understanding of the world around them, not only within the UK but the rest of the world as well.
Cora - Year 13
The aim of the A-level Economics course is to develop students’ understanding and ability to apply economic concepts and theories. They will do this through a critical consideration of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life. To this end it is essential for students to access information from many sources, such as newspapers, television programmes and the Internet. This will support the theoretical discipline of the subject and make it more relevant. Students will be expected to organise and present ideas in a logical essay style, to develop their problem-solving skills and to interpret statistics and data wherever appropriate
The second year of A-level study includes a look at business objectives, market structures, behavioural economics and the labour market, together with the global economy which covers macroeconomic performance, international trade, development, sustainability and globalisation.
The study of economics equips students with skills which are highly sought after by universities and employers alike, including the ability to analyse and evaluate complex data.
An economics qualification could lead to a career in management, accountancy or banking, government or investment. Taking part in the Tycoon Programme and GSA 'Girls Are Investors' Stock Market Challenge provide you with a clearer understanding of the business world.
Successful investing is anticipating the anticipations of others
John Maynard Keynes