Please visit Global Education Fair 2016 in Yerevan (9 April 2016, Best Western Congress Hotel, Picasso Hall ) for more information about this program
AS/A LEVEL ECONOMICS
Exam Board: OCR
We all play a role in the economy and all our lives are influenced by economic events. This course aims to develop an understanding of economic models and theories so that they can be applied to the real-world issues reported by the media. Students are given the opportunity to learn the tools of economic analysis and to acquire the skills for evaluating the decisions made by consumers, producers, citizens and governments. By adopting an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of economics, students are able to develop both their enthusiasm for the subject and also their ability to think as an economist.
The course offers a sound basis for progression into higher education in Economics or related subjects, including Finance and Investment Banking, Business Administration, Environmental Planning, Transport and Logistics and Globalisation Studies. This qualification also offers students the opportunity to enter directly into employment, particularly in the fields of business, finance and the professional service sector.
Qualification: Linear assessment from 2015
A Level Economics will be fully linear so assessment of a student’s knowledge and understanding of the whole course takes place at the end of two years of study. The first assessment of the two-year course that starts in September 2015 will be in June 2017.
Component 1: ‘micro-economics’. Students explore and evaluate how well the theories of demand and supply explain the behaviour of consumers and producers in the markets of the real world. Imperfections and market failures provide a lead into discussing the merits and drawbacks of government intervention in the markets. For example, in order to reduce smoking, should the government raise the tax on cigarettes, ban smoking in all public places or would it be more effective to simply provide people with more information on the dangers of smoking?
Component 2: ‘macro-economics’. It will provide students with the technical and analytical tools required to understand national and international issues, such as global trade, exchange rates, investment by companies and how the government controls the economy and encourages economic growth. For example, how could the government encourage firms to produce more goods and improve the standard of living in the country?
Component 3: ‘themes in economics’. The assessment of this component will be synoptic in nature and will draw on content from both the micro-economics and the macro-economicscomponents. Data will be provided on particular issues in the news, such as the different wage rates or the different inflation rates which enable firms to operate more efficiently in one country rather than another.
Assessment
Each component is assessed by a 2 hour written examination paper consisting of:
Component 1: Data response questions and a structured essay. Component 2: Data response questions and a structured essay.
Component 3: Multiple choice section and structured essay questions based on the stimulus material provided.
Entry requirements
No previous study of this subject is required but students should have an interest in current affairs. Students will require a Grade C or above in (I)GCSE English and maths or equivalent.
Please visit Global Education Fair 2016 in Yerevan (9 April 2016, Best Western Congress Hotel, Picasso Hall ) for more information about this program