Economics

Course summary

If you ever wonder about issues like what caused the last financial crisis, why poverty exists and if Brexit is a good idea, then economics could be for you. You don't need to have studied economics GCSE to take the A Level course. Depending on the career path you want to take in the future, economics fits particularly well with other social science subjects, with history, geography, but equally as well with business related subjects. It will give you a great set of transferable skills frequently sought by employers including numerical, analytical and problem-solving skills as well as commercial awareness: an essential requirement for business. You'll cover microeconomics (the behaviour of individuals and firms, including things such as consumer behaviour, the labour market and the problem of poverty). You'll explore macroeconomics (the economy as a whole, government's role and international economics). You'll focus on economic models, how they apply to real life, current problems and issues and how they might be used to predict future economic behaviour. You'll understand the reasons for and against government intervention and the thinking behind economic policy decisions. You'll have an awareness of the role of the financial markets in the wider economy and the role of central, commercial and investment banks. You'll take an international focus, look at the causes and consequences of globalisation as well as developing your understanding of qualitative and quantitative research techniques used in the field. Through classroom lessons, individual and group project work, discussions, presentations and debates. You will be expected to undertake private study including research, revision and homework tasks. There will be visits to university business schools and economics departments and the opportunity to attend guest lectures. There will be careers talks from industry professionals including economic think tanks, business, finance and professional services and higher education economics experts.