A Level Economics (Pearson Edexcel)
Economics is a real-world subject that helps students understand how individuals, businesses, governments, and global markets make decisions in a world of scarce resources. Students explore key economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, inequality, globalisation, and economic growth, using real data and current events to develop a clear understanding of how economies work.
The course encourages students to think critically about economic problems and evaluate different viewpoints and policies. Economics equips students with analytical, numerical, and evaluative skills that are highly valued by universities and employers. Whether students are interested in business, finance, politics, international relations, or simply want to better understand the world around them, Economics provides a strong foundation for future study and careers.
Our curriculum encourages students to develop the following practical and transferable skills:
- Analytical skills to interpret economic data, models, and real-world scenarios.
- Evaluation skills to assess economic arguments, policies, and outcomes using evidence.
- Numeracy skills to analyse graphs, calculations, and quantitative data.
- Communication skills to explain economic concepts clearly in written and verbal form.
- Critical thinking skills to explore alternative perspectives and make justified conclusions.
Year 12
Term1:
Theme 1 – Markets and Market Failure
Students are introduced to how markets work and why they sometimes fail to allocate resources efficiently.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- The economic problem and scarcity – choice, opportunity cost, and the basic economic questions.
- Demand and supply – factors affecting demand and supply, price determination, and elasticity.
- Market failure – externalities, public goods, information gaps, and government intervention.
- Government intervention – taxes, subsidies, regulation, and evaluation of policy effectiveness.
Term 2:
Theme 2 – The UK Economy: Performance and Policies
This theme focuses on how the UK economy performs and the role of government in managing economic objectives.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- Measures of economic performance – economic growth, inflation, unemployment, and balance of payments.
- Aggregate demand and aggregate supply – components, shifts, and macroeconomic equilibrium.
- Macroeconomic objectives – conflicts and trade-offs between objectives.
- Macroeconomic policies – fiscal policy, monetary policy, and supply-side policies.
- Evaluation of government policy – strengths, weaknesses, and real-world effectiveness.
Term 3:
- Revision and Introduction to Theme 3
Detail on the A level curriculum
Year 13
Term 1:
Theme 3 – Business Behaviour and the Labour Market
Students explore how firms operate within markets and how labour markets function.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- Business objectives and growth – profit maximisation, sales revenue, market share, and growth strategies.
- Market structures – competition, monopoly, oligopoly, and monopolistic competition.
- Costs, revenues, and profits – short-run and long-run analysis.
- Labour markets – wage determination, labour supply and demand, trade unions, and government intervention.
- Inequality and poverty – causes, consequences, and policy responses.
Term 2:
Theme 4 – A Global Perspective
This theme examines international economics and the challenges facing the global economy.
Students will develop an understanding of:
- Globalisation – causes, impacts, and consequences for different economies.
- International trade – specialisation, comparative advantage, and trade protection.
- Balance of payments and exchange rates – influences and impacts on economies.
- Economic development – measures of development, barriers to growth, and development strategies.
- Global institutions and policies – the role of international organisations and evaluation of global economic policies.
Term 3:
A level Economics specification
Updated January 2026
