Full Time AS/ A2 Economics

Economics AS/A2

Entry Requirements
An interest in issues of the day and a C grade in GCSE Maths.

Course content
The study of economics enables you to understand how the resources of an individual, a community, a country or the world are managed.
During the AS course you will have an opportunity to discuss issues such as:
Why does a commodity trader earn more than a nurse?
Should we pay to use a motorway at peak times?
Why do Nike trainers cost so much?
Should you pay for hospital treatment?
All of these will be supported by theory but the emphasis will be on highlighting relevant, interesting and topical issues.
AS: Year 1
Unit 1: Competitive Markets This unit provides an introduction to the nature of economics and examines how the price mechanism allocates resources in markets. It analyses the nature of market failure, its causes and possible policy remedies.
Unit 2: Managing the Economy This unit introduces the key measures of economic performance and the main objectives and instruments of economic policy. Students should be able to use a basic AD/AS model to understand why demand and/or supply side policies may be seen as appropriate ways of managing an economy and predict the possible impact of such policies.
A2: Year 2
More specialised, requiring more searching analysis and evaluation in the study of various aspects of the subject especially in light of globalisation.
Unit 3: Business Economics and Economic Efficiency This unit develops the content of Unit 1 and examines how the pricing and nature of competition between firms is affected by the number and size of market participants.
Unit 4: The Global Economy This unit develops the knowledge and skills gained in Unit 2 so that they can be applied in a global context. The application, analysis and evaluation of economic models is required as well as an ability to assess policies which might be used to deal with economic problems. An awareness of trends and developments in the global economy over the last 10 years is required.

What Could I Do Next?
Economics is a highly respected A level with universities. Employers value highly the analytical skills it fosters and a number of our former students have taken jobs in the city.

How Will I Be Assessed?
Each unit is assessed through examinations which use multiple choice, data response and essay questions.

Are There Any Special Expenses?
Students are encouraged to purchase the Economics Review.