Economics

Applications Open - 10th November 2025

Applications Close - 31st January 2026

Entry Requirements - For entry into year 12 to begin A Level and/or vocational courses, students must meet the minimum requirements in English and Mathematics (grade 4), however most courses require significantly higher grades in certain other GCSE subjects to access them.

How to Apply -

• Internal students – apply via Applicaa (school have emailed all students a link)
• External Students – apply using Applicaa from the Trinity School website under Sixth Form - Apply here

Students are required to study a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 4 subjects.

Why study the subject

• If you have a desire to learn about and connect with the key issues in today’s world.

• If you enjoy a dynamic learning environment which utilises a multitude of resources, with a classroom full of discussion. We expect a high level of teacher and student interaction which makes for a stimulating and engaging learning environment.

Skills Acquired

• Practical application of economic and business concepts

• Analytical, decision making

• Active rather than passive understanding of the subject

Students suited to the course

Students with an enterprising mind, a keen interest in how individuals, firm and government decisions impact stakeholders.

Skills Acquired

• Practical application of economic and business concepts

• Analytical, decision making

• Active rather than passive understanding of the subject

What other subjects it combines well with

Economics is broad and can be combined with many subjects. Students looking to continue the subject at university should think about combining it with facilitating subjects especially Mathematics, English, Computer Science, French and Spanish.

Course Structure

Year 12
Students are introduced to economics through building knowledge of core microeconomic and macroeconomic concepts, and by investigating economic theory through real-world businesses and the environments in which they operate.

Year 13
Breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding with applications to more complex concepts and models are developed in the second year of study. Students will need to apply their knowledge and understanding to both familiar and unfamiliar contexts in the assessment and demonstrate an awareness of current economic events and policies.

Unit content

Theme 1
Scarcity, choice and potential conflicts; Enterprise, business and the economy; Sources and methods of finance; Introducing the Market; Market failure and Government intervention; Revenues, costs, profits and cash.

Theme 2
Business growth and competitive advantage; Marketing and elasticity of demand; Increasing business efficiency; The Economic Cycle; Introduction to macroeconomic policy.

Theme 3
Globalisation; Business expansion; Global marketing; Multinational corporations; Global labour markets; Inequality and distribution.

Theme 4
Competition and market power; Market failure in business; Market failure across the economy; Macroeconomic policies and impact on business and individuals; Risk and the financial sector.

Assessment

A-Level assessment consists of three, two hour written exams taken at the end of the two-year course. Each exam will be worth a third of the A-Level.

Paper 1 draws on knowledge from Theme 1 and 4. Section A comprises one data response question. Section B and Section C each comprise one extended open-response question based on data.

Paper 2 draws on knowledge from Theme 2 and 3. Section A comprises one data response question. Section B and Section C each comprise one extended open-response question based on data.

Paper 3 draws on all themes, there will be a pre-released context document issued in November of the previous year. A new context will be given each year and will relate to the examination series for the following summer. The context will focus on a broad context, such as an economy, industry, market or economic issue.

GCSE grade 6 in English and GCSE grade 6 in Maths

If you would like to study economics, business, finance or management at university, A-Level Economics provides an excellent foundation. The skills you learn are also transferable across a broad range of subjects and careers.

An understanding of the economy and how to thrive in a business is a huge advantage in today’s job market. The analytical and evaluative skills which students develop are highly valued in a range of careers including law, journalism and in the wider business world. Economics opens doors to opportunities.