Economics (A-level)

This course is aimed at students who want to appreciate the contribution of economics to an understanding of how individuals, households, firms and governments make economic choices and decisions in a society where unlimited wants must be satisfied with limited resources. It will enable students to develop an understanding of a range of economic concepts and an ability to use those concepts in a variety of different contexts. Students will develop an enquiring, critical, thoughtful approach and the ability to think as an economist.

You will need at least five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language at grade 5 and Maths at grade 5.

A recent school report will be required which demonstrates a committed attitude to learning.

It is assumed that students will enrol on a two-year A-level programme of study consisting of three or more subjects. However, students will be expected to demonstrate a committed attitude to learning and make positive progress in their first year of study.

The teaching and learning of this A-level Economics course is organised into four inter-related themes:

Theme 1: Markets, Consumers and Firms

Students will develop an understanding of: 

• scarcity, choice and potential conflicts
• enterprise, business and the economy
• introducing the market
• the role of credit in the economy
• market failure and government intervention
• revenue, costs, profits and cash

Theme 2: The Wider Economic Environment

Students will develop an understanding of: 

• business growth and competitive advantage
• firms, consumers and elasticities of demand
• productive efficiency
• life in a global economy
• the economic cycle
• introduction to macroeconomic policy

Theme 3: The Global Economy

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2. Students will develop an understanding of:

• globalisation
• economic factors in business expansion
• impact of globalisation on global companies
• impact of globalisation on local and national economies
• global labour markets
• inequality and redistribution

Theme 4: Making Markets Work

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1. Students will develop an understanding of: 

• competition and market power
• market power and market failure
• market failure across the economy
• macroeconomic policies and impact on firms and individuals
• risk and the financial sector

This course will be delivered on-site at the Joseph Wright Centre through a variety of interactive, rigorous, inclusive and empowering teaching and learning sessions.

There are no additional costs. However, students will be supplied with a reading list such as Economics 6th Edition by Alain Anderton.

There are three external exam papers that will assess the content of all four themes.

Paper 1 will assess markets and questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 4. 

Paper 2 will assess the global economic environment and questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 3. 

Paper 3 will assess markets, the wider economic environment, the global economy and making markets work. Questions will be drawn from Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4.

There is no coursework content assessment.

• Further Study

As well as being equipped to handle modern life with a broad knowledge of A-level Economics, you can consider a number of university choices and career options where having A-level Economics is preferable or, in some cases, absolutely necessary. A-level Economics shows you can analyse and understand economic subjects, as well as having a sound financial knowledge and essay-writing skills.

• Careers

Possible career choices A-level Economics can offer you include economist, accountant, stockbroker, banker and roles in various online financial and business-related careers. However, most of these require a higher level of education. A-level Economics can equip you with the knowledge, skills and understanding that will be needed by students planning to progress to undergraduate study at a UK higher education establishment, particularly (although not only) in the same economics subject area, for example degrees involving applied economics such as environmental economics, labour economics, public sector economics, monetary economics, business economics, business or engineering.

For more information, contact Derby College Group on 0800 0280289 or enquiries@derby-college.ac.uk