Economics A Level

Applications Open: - 14th November 2025

Applications Close: - 30th April 2026

Entry Requirements: -We cater to the individual needs of each student, creating a program of study that meets their unique requirements. We offer a wide range of Level 3 qualifications, including A levels, allowing students to combine their interests with relevant courses for their future pathways. Each subject has specific entry requirements in addition to those set out below, and all students must receive a positive reference and maintain an end-of-year attendance record of 95% or higher to be offered a place in The Marsh Academy Sixth Form.

It is important to understand that all students are expected to attain a minimum of GCSE grade 4 in Mathematics and English by the time they leave school or college. Therefore, if a student has not achieved these grades, they are legally required to retake these subjects until they achieve the grade 4 or above or until they complete their programme of study.

For students unable to undertake a full Level 3 program, we offer a combination of qualifications across Level 3 and Level 2, depending on the qualifications gained in Year 11.

For students who achieve:

7+ GCSEs at grade 7+ can study four Level 3 courses.

5+ GCSEs at grade 5+ can study three Level 3 courses.

4 +GCSEs at grade 5+ can study two Level 3 courses and two Level 2 courses.

Level 3 Vocational Courses

5+ GCSEs at grade 4+ in English and maths GCSE to study three Level 3 vocation courses However, it is important to note that some Level 3 courses will have specific requirements in addition to those set out here.

This year, subjects have not been placed into fixed option blocks. Instead, they have been grouped by subject area to allow students greater flexibility in selecting the courses that best suit their interests and future goals. Once we have received students’ subject choices, we will create option blocks based on demand and subject compatibility. It is important to note that while The Marsh Academy aims to offer all courses listed in the prospectus, we do reserve the right to withdraw any course that does not attract sufficient interest. This approach ensures that our curriculum remains responsive, student-focused, and sustainable.

The Marsh Academy reserves the right to review student course offers on an individual basis.

How to apply:

Students who wish to apply for a place at the Marsh Academy Sixth Form and are currently a student at another school or college in Kent or East Sussex, must apply via the Kent Choices website application process (www.kentprospectus.co.uk). External applicants must ensure that the application is completely correctly by completing all sections of the application form in full for the application to be considered:

If you are applying from outside of Kent and are unable to register for Kent Choices, please use the external student application form which is available on the Sixth Form page of the Marsh Academy website.

Once the application has been made, we will contact you to discuss your application and invite you for interview. After the interview, conditional offers will made pending examination results. We ensure that students are kept up do date with events regarding Sixth Form during the remainder of the academic year.

On GCSE result day, students should contact the Marsh Academy with a record of GCSE results so that courses can be confirmed or adapted in line with the achieved results. Students will then attend a registration day early in September to process the required documentation.

A level Economics requires logical thinking, and a command of Maths to good GCSE level. It's also a subject which requires social awareness and which develops the ability to debate, both in class and on paper. There's often no right or wrong answer when it comes to Macroeconomics, so you need to be able to present arguments clearly, supported by relevant examples. You can't rely entirely on your textbook. Economics is the life-blood of political debate, and you need to keep up to date, following news online and in print to pick up on economic, political, business and social issues.

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. 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.

Theme 1: Markets, consumers and firms

● scarcity, choice and potential conflicts, ● enterprise, business and the economy ● introducing the market ● the role of credit in the economy ● market failure and government intervention ● revenue, costs, profits and cash.

Theme 2: The wider economic environment

● business growth and competitive advantage ● firms, consumers and elasticities of demand ● productive efficiency ● life in a global economy ● the economic cycle

● introduction to macroeconomic policy.

Theme 3: The global economy

● globalisation ● economic factors in business expansion ● impact of globalisation on global companies ● impact of globalisation on local and national economies ● global labour markets ● inequality and redistribution.

Theme 4: Making markets work

● competition and market power ● market power and market failure ● market failure across the economy ● macroeconomic policies and impact on firms and individuals ● risk and the financial sector.

The course is assessed by terminal examinations which take place at the end of the course.

Paper 1: Markets and how they work - 35% of the final marks

Written examination.

● The paper comprises three sections.

● Students answer all questions from all sections.

● Section A comprises one data response question.

● Section B and Section C each comprise one extended open-response question based on data.

● Duration: 2 hours.

Paper 2: Competing in the global economy - 35% of the final marks

● Written examination.

● The paper comprises three sections.

● Students answer all questions from all sections.

● Section A comprises one data response question.

● Section B and Section C each comprise one extended open-response question

based on data.

● Duration: 2 hours.

Paper 3: The economic environment and business 30% of the final marks

Written examination.

● The paper comprises two sections. Each section comprises data response

questions broken down into a number of parts, including one extended

open-response question.

● Students answer all questions from both sections.

● Duration: 2 hours.

Students will need to achieve 5+ GCSEs at grade 5 or above including a grade 6 or above in mathematics in addition to the published entry requirements. You need to have a real curiosity about the world, to think logically and you must have a desire to debate issues based on evidence.

As well as leading into Economics-based degrees, A level Economics is a good background to a wide range of other degrees. Be aware that top Economics degree courses may well also require A level Maths. A level Economics is well respected for the breadth you need to show in order to get a good grade.