 |
 |
|
 |
 |
|
Economics
Student websiteA-Level Course (edexcel AS 8121, A 9121)
Full specificationFamiliarity breeds contempt, as the saying goes, and our economic environment is so familiar to us that we all tend to take it for granted. We take it for granted that when we walk into a supermarket there will be packets of tea for sale. Not only that, but we expect a choice of teas. We take it for granted that when we switch on a light or a microwave oven there will be electricity available to operate them. We have not forewarned the tea planter, the tea shipper, the packer or the supermarket manager, or anyone else about our intention to buy tea, nor have we specified a brand. Nor have we alerted the suppliers of electricity to the needs for generators or power lines.
We take it for granted that when we want something, it will be available. Were this not the norm, were this not so familiar, it would be amazing. Many people expect the economy not only to work, but to work perfectly. They complain when they feel that it fails to meet these exacting standards. The complaint may be that there is too much inflation, or too much unemployment, or too few hospitals. They may well be right, but by concentrating on the apparent shortcomings of our economy, they seem to overlook the fact that it works at all.
The purpose of this course is to awaken interest in the whole fascinating question of why and how the economy does work, and come to grips with the major issues of the day.
AS-Level Course
Unit 1 (15%)
How The Market Economy Works
Unit 2 (15%)
Why Markets Fail
Unit 3 (20%)
Managing the Economy
A2-Level Course
Unit 4 (15%)
Industrial Economics
Unit 5 (15%)
A choice of a) Economic Development or b) Labour Economics
Unit 6 (20%)
The UK in the Global Economy
Beyond A-level
For people taking jobs after A-level, Economics is useful for careers in banking, insurance, accountancy, retail management and many other careers in the financial and business world. It is also a very useful background to have if you are looking for jobs in administration.
An A-level in Economics is a useful but not essential qualification for studying the subject at degree level. It is also a useful A-level qualification for a wide range of university degree courses. Graduates in Economics have open to them a diversity of careers. These include administrative work in the public and private sectors, buying, marketing, selling, retailing, management services, computer programming, advertising, market research, industrial relations, and hotel and catering administration.