Economics qualifications are about the production, distribution and consumption of wealth. They include the study of economic issues across local, national and international levels, as well as issues that apply to everyday experiences.

What is GCSE economics?

GCSE economics encourages students to develop:

• an understanding of both micro-economics and macro-economics
• the ability to understand a range of current economics issues and to study relevant data from local, national, European and international sources
• the ability to look critically at the basic economic models relating to issues such as demand and supply analysis, the role of government and the influence of international factors.

What is AS/A level economics?

AS and A level economics encourages students to:

• develop an understanding of economic concepts and theories through critical consideration of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life
• apply economic concepts and theories in a range of contexts and to appreciate their value and limitations in explaining real-world phenomena
• analyse, explain and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of the government within it.

What is Advanced Extension Award (AEA) economics?

The AEA in economics is targeted at the top 10 per cent of students taking advanced GCE economics. It requires students to:

• demonstrate a greater depth of understanding of economic concepts and theories through a critical understanding of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life
• demonstrate a critical understanding of the inter-relatedness of economic issues, concepts and theories
• apply appropriate economic concepts and theories to complex issues and problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• demonstrate the value and limitations of economic concepts and theories in explaining these problems
• analyse, synthesise and evaluate information and ideas, construct coherent arguments and purpose creative solution.

Links to GCSEs and AS/A levels in economics accredited by QCA and to a website relevant to economics can be accessed from this page.