AS/A Level Economics


  • Start Date: 08/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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Economics is not simply all about numbers. It is the study of the world around us from a social, financial and cultural perspective, economics has never been as important or relevant than it is now, due to rapid advances in technologies and as the world learns how to operate post Covid.

Whilst studying A Level economics, you will cover a range of economic principles that will allow you to apply economic theory to support analysis of current economic problems and issues, and encourage you to appreciate the interrelationships between microeconomics and macroeconomics.

You will develop the knowledge and skills needed to understand and analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions. You will also build upon your quantitative skills and appreciate that, when evaluating arguments, both qualitative and quantitative evidence are important.

Topics Covered

  • Economic methodology and the economic problem
  • Individual economic decision making
  • Price determination in a competitive market
  • Production, costs and revenue
  • Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets, monopoly, labour market
  • The distribution of income and wealth: poverty and inequality
  • The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets, the national and international economy
  • The measurement of macroeconomic performance
  • How the macroeconomy works : the circular flow of income, AD/AS analysis, and related concepts
  • Economic performance
  • Financial markets and monetary policy
  • Fiscal policy and supply-side policies
  • The international economy

Assessment

Economics is like no other subject in that it requires a unique perceptive of theory and data.

This skill is developed though out your study of the subject.

We start early on developing our ‘Economic toolkit’, a mix of economic theory and models that can be applied to various situations.

These skills are highly desired by employers and will be crucial to exam success.

As we develop economic skills and theory its important that you are assessed on your knowledge and capability within the subject.

There is a mix of formal assessments and graded tasks whilst we build a solid knowledge foundation and skillset.

There will also be a full mock exam twice a year which is used to establish a predicted grade and also identify any knowledge or skills gaps to work on before the full exam.

At the end of first year you will sit your AS Economic papers.

There are two exams which cover both Macroeconomics and Microeconomics respectively.

To complete you’re A-level in Economics you will sit three exams in your second year, again covering Macroeconomics and Microeconomics.

Subjects such as English, Sociology, History and Government & Politics are a good combination for anyone studying Business.

You’ll spend a year at each level; a year at AS Level and a year at A Level.

Students who study the course have access to a wide range of careers and higher education opportunities.

By the end of the course you will have learnt to evaluate and analyse information, work independently and communicate complex economic ideas effectively.

All these skills are recognised and valued by employers and universities.

Economics provides a basis for a number of popular careers, including accounting, stock trading, civil service and data analysis positions to name but a few.

In order to study A-levels with us, all students need to obtain a strong GCSE grade profile, averaging 6 x Grade 6s.

Individual subjects will also have their own specific requirements.

However, if you do not meet this profile, please still come to one of our enrolment events to discuss all of your options with a member of our A-level team.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026