Economics
Pearson Edexcel 'A Syllabus' Economics A Level
Economics is a fascinating subject to study, as it helps you look more deeply into the world around you – how and why it functions as it does. It can also give you new perspectives on some of the most pressing and challenging problems facing the world today. Economics is with you for life; it will help you to understand what is happening nationally and internationally.
Ever thought about:
- What determines the price you pay for the things you buy?
- Why the government can’t just increase the minimum wage and make everyone better off?
- Why there is unemployment when there are lots of job vacancies?
- Why there is poverty in the world alongside great wealth?
- Why you have to pay tuition fees to go to university when Scottish students don’t?
- When you go abroad each year why do you get different amounts when you change your currency?
If you would like an answer to these questions then economics might be for you – study economics and you can help make the world a better place!
In both years, time is split between microeconomics (concerned with the decisions made by individuals in a variety of situations), and macroeconomics (concerned with decisions about wider issues such as employment and inflation). In year 13 students will be examined on how well they can apply their learning in a ‘real world’ context.
Economics is 100% examination, which involves undertaking 3 papers in total at the end of Year 13 for the whole A Level.
Course Content
The course is based around Micro and Macroeconomics, whereby students study 4 themes of work – 2 Microeconomics themes and 2 Macroeconomics themes. These areas of study are:
Theme 1 – Introduction to markets and market failure – Year 12
Theme 2 – The UK Economy – Performance & Policies – Year 12
Theme 3 – Business Behaviour and the Labour Market – Year 13
Theme 4 – A Global Perspective – Year 13
The examination (30% of A2; 30% of full A-level)
Exam 1: Theme 1 and 3 - Introduction to markets and market failure & Business Behaviour and the Labour Market = Paper 1: Markets and Business behaviour = 35% of qualification
Exam 2: Theme 2 and 4 – The UK Economy - Performance and Policies & Global Perspective = Paper 2: The National and Global Economy = 35% of qualification
Exam 3: Themes 1 – 4 – Microeconomics and Macroeconomics = 30% of qualification
Exam 3: The paper comprises two sections, and is 100 marks in total.
Each section comprises one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including a choice of extended open-response questions; you select one from a choice of two.
If you require advice or further information about the Economics curriculum at Idsall School, then please contact the Head of Department, Mr D Thomas on the following email: dthomas@idsall.shropshire.sch.uk
Topics Covered per Half Term
Term | Year 12 Teacher 1 | Year 12 Teacher 2 |
Autumn 1 |
1.1 Nature of Economics
1.2 How markets work
|
1.1 Nature of Economics
1.2 How markets work
|
Autumn 2 |
1.3 Market Failure
|
1.4 Government Intervention
|
Spring 1 |
January - Theme 1 mock examination
|
January - Theme 1 mock examination
|
Spring 2 |
|
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Summer 1 |
Exam Revision and Practice End of A Level Year 1-Mock exam |
Exam Revision and Practice End of A Level Year 1-Mock exam |
Summer 2 |
|
|
Term | Year 13 |
Autumn 1 |
3.1 Business growth
|
Autumn 2 |
3.3 Revenues, costs and profits
|
Spring 1 |
3.4 Market structures
3.5 Labour market
|
Spring 2 |
3.4 Market structures
3.5 Labour market
|
Summer 1 |
3.6 Government intervention
|
Summer 2 | April – June = Exam practice, revision and A Level exams |