Economics

Specification: AQA

Why study Economics?

One reason why you might want to study Economics is because of the wide range of well-paid careers it can lead to. Stockbrokers, Investment Bankers, Corporate Analysts, Accountants and Actuaries are amongst the best rewarded careers in the UK. Data shows that Economics graduates have one of the highest employment rates and best wages of any degree course; only Medicine and Dentistry are likely to reward you better. However, an alternate reason for doing Economics is because everyone will interact with the economy, whatever their job, and therefore Economics is valuable for any career and interesting in its own right. Every day the news is about Economic issues whether it is obvious ones like inflation, unemployment and growth or subtler ones like how we reduce obesity, smoking and respond to traffic problems. Economics is part of the general education any adult should have. Finally, Economics goes well with a wide range of subjects. Student doing Maths and Physics will revel in the diagrams and analysis and learn something new by writing extended essays; students doing History, English and Languages will contrastingly stand out at the essays but learn new numerical and analytical skills. Economics A-level at The Gryphon School has a record of outstanding results and provides an excellent basis on which to apply to university.

Assessment Format

All the marks for all A-levels will now come in A2 assessments at the end of Year 13. Although a separate AS exam can be taken, the marks in it only count towards AS and are NOT part of the A2 assessment. A2 Economics has three separate papers.

Paper 1: Markets and Market Failure is a 2 hour written exam worth 33.33% of the marks. In Section A candidates have to do 1 out of 2 data response questions and in Section B they do 1 out of 3 essays.

Paper 2: The National and International Economy is a 2 hour written exam worth 33.33% of the marks. In Section A candidates have to do 1 out of 2 data response questions and in Section B they do 1 out of 3 essays.

Paper 3: Economic Principles and Issues is a 2 hour written exam worth 33.33% of the marks. In Section A candidates have to do 30 multiple choice questions and in Section B they do longer answer questions on a case Study.

Entry requirements

Economics is a challenging and academic A-level. Students need to be confident with mathematical and diagrammatic content but also need to able to write essays. Students will be set regular homework and the course suits motivated and ambitious students. Many past students have gone on to study Economics at university.

Students must get a 6 or better grade in Maths GCSE and a 5 or better grade in English Language GCSE to be accepted on the Economics course.

Course expenses

There are no obligatory course expenses. A lot of resources are already provided in the form of course booklets and virtual learning resources. However, many students choose to supplement this by buying themselves an individual textbook.