ECONOMICS 2.1 AS UNITS A/S-LEVEL AND A2-LEVEL
COURSE DESCRIPTION |
| Examination Board - OCR |
COURSE ASSESSMENT |
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The overall aim is to encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the economic behaviour of consumers, businesses and governments. The course deals with topical issues. Students are assessed on each of four units by external examination. There is no coursework element.
Examinations are held in January and June and each unit may usually be re-taken once.
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AS LEVEL |
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Unit 1 – Markets in Action
Unit 2 – The National and International Economy.
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A2 LEVEL |
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To progress to year 2 students must have passed the two AS units and will then take a further two units in year 13.
Unit 3 – Economics of Work and Leisure or Transport Economics
Unit 4 – The Global Economy.
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ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS |
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Students do not need any previous knowledge of Economics or Business Studies to take this course. The main requirement is a minimum of 5 GCSE subjects at grades A-C and Mathematics grade A, B or C.
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TEACHING/LEARNING STYLES |
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The approach to teaching is rigorous and varied. It includes discussion of economic theories and current affairs, case-studies, research and investigations, data-handling, lectures and visits. Students will develop considerable analytical skills in this subject, which will enhance their other studies. Students are expected to regularly read relevant journals and magazines in addition to broadsheet newspapers and to make full use of appropriate web sites and economics software. Individual
tutorials are arranged as necessary.
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INDEPENDENT STUDY |
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Students are expected to study between 5 - 8 hours per week on work outside the classroom. This will include reading or accessing the internet, writing assignments and essays set by the teacher and revising class notes.
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RESIDENTIAL REQUIREMENTS/OUT OF SCHOOL TRIPS |
| One residential study visit is planned in the Spring/Summer each year to areas of special economic interest. |
PROGRESSION ROUTES |
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Combined with other A2 level subjects, both AS and A2 serve as entry qualifications to Higher Education. It should be noted that a number of universities only accept students to study Economics
if they have also studied Mathematics at A Level. Advice on this can be sought from one of the Economics teachers at school. An increasing number of universities offer degrees combining Economics with other subjects such as business management, accounting, marketing, banking and a modern foreign language. In the case of the latter, a period of study at a foreign university is often a requirement.
A level Economics gives students an opportunity to develop their thinking skills and these can be applied in a wide range of careers including those in industrial and commercial organisations, Civil
Service, Banking, Insurance and Accountancy.
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