Economics A Level 3

For students applying from other schools please see the information below.

For existing students at OPGS - you will be applying internally and will receive separate instructions

Applications Open - 11th December 2025

Applications Close - 30th January 2026

Entry Requirements:-

Students achieving a minimum of at least six GCSEs (9 – 5) of which at least four are at a grade 6 (or equivalent).

In addition, students must meet subject entry requirements, which in most cases require a minimum of Grade 6 in the subject to be studied, or related subjects. Some subjects will require a grade 7 or higher. Please see school website (https://www.opgs.org) for entry requirements needed for individual A level subjects.

Students must also achieve a minimum of a grade 5 in English Language and Mathematics.

Typically, we would expect students following essay-based subjects to gain at least a grade 6 in English Language and students following scientific courses to gain at least a grade 7 in Mathematics.

The school shall determine which grades at 6 are required when A level subjects requested have not been taken at GCSE Level.

Priority will be given to existing pupils transferring from Year 11 who meet the entrance criteria

How to Apply

Students should select three or four A level subjects and include a 4th/5th as a reserve subjects. Please list your subjects in priority order and indicate which is your reserve choice.

Subject Choice

In choosing your subjects for A level you need to find out about the syllabus, examination requirements, coursework and the approach to study. Choose subjects that interest you and think carefully about the range and combination of subjects you would like to study. You may also wish to consider requirements for Higher Education or career paths.

Students should also note that the school cannot guarantee courses will run if there are not enough applicants. It is also possible that, in some subjects, numbers will have to be limited.

Economics, they say, makes the world go round. Few decisions are taken that are not influenced to some degree by economics. The Economics course offers the opportunity to learn about the latest economic theories and practice them in the context of different economic issues both nationally and internationally. It also allows us to explore the fundamental forces that affect our lives, such as employment, prices, inflation, international trade and many more. Economists are often in healthy debate with each other over these issues. It is this controversy which makes Economics lively and interesting. This course will develop a range of analytical skills which will enable you to progress in a business environment and provides you with an array of subject-specific and transferable skills highly sought after by employers and top universities.

Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure

● nature of economics

● how markets work

● market failure

● government intervention.

Theme 2: The UK economy – performance and policies

● measures of economic performance

● aggregate demand

● aggregate supply

● national income

● economic growth

● macroeconomic objectives and policy.

Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market

● business growth

● business objectives

● revenues, costs and profits

● market structures

● labour market

● government intervention

Theme 4: A global perspective

● international economics

● poverty and inequality

● emerging and developing economies

● the financial sector

● role of the state in the macroeconomy.

Enrichment Opportunities

• Royal Economic Society – Young Economist of the year competition

• LSE essay competition

• Student Investor Challenge

• Various talks, debates and conferences

• Bank of England talks and virtual visit.

Paper 1 – 2 hours (35%)

Comprises of a range of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, data response and extended open-response questions; all based on Themes 1 & 3.

Paper 2 – 2 hours (35%)

Comprises of a range of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, data response and extended open-response questions; all based on Themes 2 & 4.

Paper 3 – 2 hours (30%)

Comprises two sections. Each section comprises one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including a choice of extended open-response questions; students select one from a choice of two and are required to apply their knowledge and understanding, make connections and transfer higher-order skills across all four themes.

Six 9-5 GCSE grades with at least four at grade 6

A minimum of a grade 5 in English Language

Grade 6 in GCSE Mathematics

Typically, we would expect students following essay-based subjects to gain at least a grade 6 in English Language and students following scientific courses to gain at least a grade 7 in Mathematics.

You could take this course to complement other Advanced level courses which could lead onto higher education in areas of Economics, Business Studies, Accounting, Marketing or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could go into a job related to economics, business, marketing, finance and accounting, human resources and public relations. You could also go straight into employment as the qualification could help you do a trainee management course within a company to gain the skills, understanding and experience that they require so you can progress to working at management level.