Economics

Aims And Vision

  1. To deliver the relevant curriculum effectively;
  2. To achieve departmental targets in terms of student performance;
  3. To promote quality teaching at all levels;
  4. To make the learning of Economics an enjoyable experience;

GCSE Economics

Pupils complete the OCR GCSE Economics course.

Students often mistakenly believe that Economics is all about money. The study of Economics does help students to understand various aspects of finance, but it also covers many more issues which have been in the news recently such as:

  • Why do exchanges rates fluctuate?
  • Should we join the euro?
  • What can the government do to reduce unemployment?
  • What is the impact on the UK economy of a reduction in interest rates?
  • What impact can changing taxation and government spending have upon the economy?
  • Why do we trade with China?
  • Why do some workers earn more than others?

AS/A Level Economics

The CCEA GCE Economics course is divided into four units.

AS (Year 13)

Unit AS 1: Markets and Market Failure. This unit looks at how markets work, in terms of how the market forces of demand and supply interact to allocate resources in local, national and international markets. It also looks at the nature, cause and consequences of different forms of market failure.

Unit AS 2: Managing the National Economy. This unit examines the use of demand-side and supply-side policies as a means of achieving macroeconomic objectives. It also requires students to assess the likely impact and effectiveness of different government policies.

A2 (Year 14)

Unit A2 1: Business Economics. The various forms of competition from perfect to monopoly are studied, along with the role and effectiveness of government policy in attempting to promote competition.

Unit A2 2: Managing the Economy in a Global World. This unit gives students the opportunity to understand the significance of globalisation, international trade, the balance of payments and exchange rates. Students will also examine the factors influencing the growth and development of developing countries.