A-LEVEL ECONOMICS

A level Economics is a two-year course covering both microeconomics and macroeconomics throughout.
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WHAT IS A-LEVEL ECONOMICS?

Students will study elements of each at different points throughout the course, building microeconomic foundations, to begin with, switching to look at the UK and global economies and the policies used to influence their success before returning again to microeconomics to look in detail at the behaviour of businesses, consumers and workers.

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MACROECONOMICS

We will be following the Eduqas A level specification. The exam board’s philosophy is one of rewarding understanding above knowledge and to ask clear, comprehensible questions which allow students respond with their own level of sophistication; there are no trick questions, making the board a very fair one.

The key areas of study for Macroeconomics are:
  • The forces influencing the success of the UK and other global economies and models that can be used to analyse these forces.
  • The various policies are available to the UK government to achieve their economics targets and analysis of their likely success in different economic circumstances.
  • Different schools of economic thought and how different underpinning beliefs will influence policy recommendations.
  • Detailed analysis of the big issues facing countries such as unemployment, inflation, growth, government debt and the Balance of Payments.
  • In-depth analysis of the issues affecting less developed economies – for example, why some poorer countries have succeeded in growing quickly whereas others are still desperately poor.
  • Why prices for different goods and services are at different levels and the forces that might make them change.
  • Why some people earn more than others, what causes inequality in different economies and to what extent does this matter?
  • The extent to which all goods and services (such as health and education) should be provided through the market and the case for government intervention.
  • How firms compete with one another, the consequences of monopoly power and the need for regulation.
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WHOM DOES THIS SUBJECT SUIT?

Anyone with an interest in knowing more about the way the world works. Students take Economics in combination with a very wide array of other subjects – everything ranging from Art and English Literature at one end to Further Maths and Physics at the other.


A common misconception is that a strong mathematical background is important for the A level – this is not true; an ability to understand graphs and correlation is the only mathematical requirement. As a result, there is no absolute GCSE requirement to study Economics at d’Overbroeck’s unlike at many other sixth forms. An ability to deal with abstract theory and then compare that theory with reality is an important skill whilst also having the confidence of conviction to voice, and justify, an opinion makes for an enjoyable classroom experience. Many students have taken up Economics as a third or fourth subject only to find that they enjoy it so much they decide to study it at university.

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WHAT MIGHT THE SUBJECT LEAD TO?

Many students go on to study Economics at university. At the university, Economics can be studied as a subject on its own or as part of a joint degree with another subject such as Politics, Business Management, Accounting and Finance and Statistics.


The widely transferable analytical and problem-solving skills developed by economics students means that careers in economics are extremely wide-ranging and diverse.

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HOW WELL DO STUDENTS DO?

Although results aren’t everything, they obviously matter. Since the change to linear A levels, 25% of our students scored A* grades and 70% scored either A or A* grades. With this track record of success, you can be confident that your hard work will be rewarded.

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YOUR TEACHERS

Who teaches Economics?

Economics | A-Level Subjects | d'Overbroeck's Oxford-Feature Cards Pattern-Fraser Daly
Fraser Daly
Head of Economics
Economics | A-Level Subjects | d'Overbroeck's Oxford-Feature Cards Pattern-Simon Harrison
Simon Harrison
Teacher of Economics

Simon joined d’Overbroeck’s in the late 80s straight out of university, and over the last 30 years he has become Head of Department, a Director of Studies and a senior A-Level examiner.

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Simon Harrison

Simon joined d’Overbroeck’s in the late 80s straight out of university, and over the last 30 years he has become Head of Department, a Director of Studies and a senior A-Level examiner. In that time d’Overbroeck’s has changed a lot, but his passion for helping students to fulfil their potential and the anarchic enthusiasm that has been his hallmark down the years remains undimmed; for Simon lessons need to be contemporary, interesting and fun – only in that way will students be motivated to do their best – and this is the recipe that has allowed d’Overbroeck’s economics students to be so successful throughout the years. Over the last few years he has worked alongside Nita to develop the school’s academic enrichment programme to help spread the message that thinking critically and developing intellectual curiosity are both interesting and fun.

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Llywelyn Morris

Llywelyn has been teaching Economics at d’Overbroeck’s since September 2019. Previously, he taught for 6 years at Millfield School in Somerset.

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Llywelyn Morris

Llywelyn has been teaching Economics at d’Overbroeck’s since September 2019. Previously, he taught for 6 years at Millfield School in Somerset. Llywelyn grew up on a farm in the Brecon Beacons in South Wales. In 2009, he graduated with an Economics Degree from The University of Exeter. He has since graduated with a PGCE, and a Master’s in Education. As well as teaching, he is involved in running the school’s Duke of Edinburgh programme. He has also written A-Level Economics Revision Guides for the Eduqas and Edexcel syllabuses. His hobbies include Tennis and Squash, and he is passionate about conservationism. The mighty Rhinoceros is his favourite animal.

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UNRIVALLED CHOICE

We offer more than 36 A-level subjects, enabling students to choose a combination that best fits their strengths, interests, and future aspirations.

A-level Subjects