Examine how markets work, why governments intervene, and how economic choices shape society. At LMSC, A-level Economics is taught live by specialist teachers in small, focused groups, with every lesson recorded for flexible review. The course develops confident data analysis, logical evaluation, and clear economic argument tailored to real-world contexts and exam success.
A-level Economics is a dynamic and intellectually engaging course that helps students understand how individuals, firms, and governments make choices in a world of limited resources. It combines economic theory, real-world evidence, and structured evaluation, enabling students to analyse current economic issues such as inflation, unemployment, inequality, globalisation, market failure, and government intervention.
At London Maths & Science College (LMSC), A-level Economics is taught through live, teacher-led lessons by expert subject specialist economists. Teaching is highly structured and exam-focused, with clear explanations of core models, regular use of real data and case studies, and guided practice in answering exam-style questions. All live sessions are recorded, allowing students to revisit content, refine evaluation skills, and build confidence over time.
The course develops strong foundations in microeconomics and macroeconomics, alongside essential skills in data interpretation, quantitative analysis, and extended written argument. Students learn not only how economic models work, but also their assumptions, limitations, and real-world relevance, which is critical for achieving top grades.
A-level Economics is particularly well suited to students aiming for Economics, Finance, Business, Management, PPE, Politics, International Relations, and Social Science degrees, as well as careers where analytical thinking, evidence-based judgement, and clear communication are essential.
The economic problem: scarcity, choice, opportunity cost
Demand and supply: price mechanisms, shifts, equilibrium
Elasticities: price, income, and cross elasticity of demand; price elasticity of supply
Consumer and producer surplus
Market structures:
Perfect competition
Monopolistic competition
Oligopoly
Monopoly
Costs, revenues, and profit (short run and long run)
Market failure:
Externalities (positive and negative)
Public goods and merit/demerit goods
Information asymmetry
Government intervention:
Taxes, subsidies, price controls
Regulation and competition policy
Evaluation of effectiveness and unintended consequences
Labour markets:
Wage determination
Trade unions and minimum wages
Labour market failure
Macroeconomic objectives:
Economic growth
Inflation
Unemployment
Balance of payments
Aggregate demand and aggregate supply (AD/AS analysis)
National income:
Circular flow of income
Components of AD (C, I, G, X–M)
Multiplier effect
Inflation and unemployment:
Causes and consequences
Phillips Curve
Macroeconomic policy:
Fiscal policy (taxation, government spending)
Monetary policy (interest rates, money supply)
Supply-side policies
Financial markets:
Role of banks
Interest rates and credit
Global economics:
International trade
Protectionism vs free trade
Exchange rates
Balance of payments
Development economics:
Measures of development
Inequality and poverty
Role of aid, trade, and global institutions
Interpreting economic data and graphs
Calculations involving:
Elasticities
Index numbers
Percentage and real vs nominal values
Evaluating data sources and limitations
Applying economics to real-world contexts and case studies
Analytical thinking, using economic models to explain and predict real-world behaviour
Data interpretation skills, analysing graphs, tables, index numbers, and economic indicators
Quantitative skills, including calculations involving elasticities, percentages, real vs nominal values, and multipliers
Evaluation and judgement, assessing the effectiveness, limitations, and unintended consequences of economic policies
Structured written communication, constructing clear, balanced, and well-evidenced arguments
Problem-solving, applying theory to unfamiliar contexts and case studies
Critical thinking, questioning assumptions, sources of data, and reliability of evidence
Decision-making skills, weighing costs and benefits in situations involving scarcity and trade-offs
Exam readiness, including timing, use of diagrams, data-response technique, and evaluation chains
Transferable skills valued across many fields: reasoning, numeracy, communication, and independent learning
This course is well suited for students who:
Are curious about how markets, governments, and economies operate
Enjoy analysing real-world issues such as inflation, unemployment, inequality, global trade, and economic growth
Like combining theory with data and evaluation, rather than memorising facts
Are interested in Economics, Finance, Business, Management, PPE, Politics, International Relations, or Social Sciences
Are comfortable with graphs, numerical data, and written analysis
Enjoy debating ideas and forming balanced, evidence-based arguments
Want a subject that develops both quantitative and essay-writing skills
Are motivated to keep up with current affairs and economic news
Students who strongly dislike data interpretation, graphs, or written evaluation
Learners looking for a purely mathematical or purely essay-based subject
Those unwilling to engage with real-world case studies and current economic issues
Awarding body: AQA
Qualification code: 7136
Assessment structure:
3 written examination papers
Paper 1: Markets and Market Failure (Microeconomics)
Paper 2: National and International Economy (Macroeconomics)
Paper 3: Economic Principles and Issues (synoptic micro & macro)
Duration & weighting:
Paper 1: 2 hours — 33⅓%
Paper 2: 2 hours — 33⅓%
Paper 3: 2 hours — 33⅓%
Question style:
All questions are compulsory
Combination of:
Multiple-choice questions
Short-answer and data-response questions
Extended essays requiring analysis and evaluation
Strong emphasis on real-world application, use of economic data, and balanced evaluation
Quantitative skills:
At least 15% of marks assess quantitative skills, including:
Elasticity calculations
Index numbers
Interpreting economic data and graphs
Calculator use:
Calculators permitted in all papers
Full workings and clear explanations required where relevant
Exam series:
Normally sat in the May/June examination series
Exam location (LMSC Hybrid route):
Exams are sat in London at LMSC’s JCQ-approved exam centre
Grading:
Grades awarded from A to E*, based on combined performance across all three papers
To ensure students are well prepared for the analytical, numerical, and written demands of the course, the following entry criteria apply:
GCSE/IGCSE Mathematics:
Grade 6 or above recommended
Students should be confident with percentages, ratios, interpreting graphs, and basic calculations (essential for data and elasticity questions)
GCSE/IGCSE English Language:
Grade 6 or above recommended
Economics requires clear written communication, structured arguments, and evaluation
GCSE/IGCSE Economics or Business (if studied):
Not required
No prior knowledge of Economics is assumed; the course starts from first principles
International qualifications:
Successful completion of Grade 10 Mathematics and English (or equivalent)
Evidence of readiness for data interpretation and extended written responses
Academic readiness:
Students should be comfortable with:
Interpreting charts, tables, and real-world data
Writing structured explanations and evaluations
Engaging with current affairs and real economic contexts
Admissions assessment (if required):
A short diagnostic or written task may be used to confirm suitability, particularly for students entering from non-UK curricula
Bridge support (where appropriate):
A short introductory module may be recommended, covering:
Key maths skills for Economics
Graph interpretation
Essay structure and evaluation technique
On successful completion of the course, students will be awarded the AQA A-level Economics (7136) qualification, graded A–E* following three externally assessed written examinations.
By the end of the course, students will have developed:
Secure understanding of economic theory, covering both microeconomics (markets, firms, market failure, government intervention) and macroeconomics (growth, inflation, unemployment, policy, global trade)
Strong analytical skills, applying economic models and diagrams to explain real-world behaviour and policy outcomes
Quantitative competence, confidently interpreting data, graphs, index numbers, and calculations such as elasticities and multipliers
Evaluation and judgement, assessing strengths, weaknesses, assumptions, and unintended consequences of economic policies
Clear written communication, constructing well-structured, balanced arguments supported by evidence and economic reasoning
Real-world awareness, linking theory to contemporary national and global economic issues
Exam readiness, including effective time management, data-response technique, essay planning, and evaluation chains
Students also leave with a portfolio of assessed work—including timed essays, data-response questions, and examiner-style feedback—supporting predicted grades, academic references, and progression planning.
A-level Economics provides a strong foundation for progression into economics-related university degrees and a wide range of careers that value analytical thinking, data interpretation, and informed decision-making.
University pathways
Students completing A-level Economics commonly progress to degrees in:
Economics & Econometrics
Finance, Banking & Investment
Business & Management
Accounting & Actuarial Science
Politics, PPE & International Relations
Data Science & Analytics
Public Policy, Development & Social Sciences
Law (with strong analytical and evaluative preparation)
Subject combinations
A-level Economics works particularly well alongside:
Mathematics — essential for Economics, Finance, and Data-related degrees
Further Mathematics — strengthens applications to highly quantitative economics courses
Politics — complements policy and government-focused pathways
Geography — supports development and global economics routes
Business — provides applied commercial context
Admissions value
Economics is highly regarded by universities for its analytical rigour and real-world relevance
Many selective Economics courses prefer or expect strong mathematical competence
The subject supports applications to competitive courses requiring essay writing, data analysis, and evaluation
Careers and future pathways
The skills developed support careers in:
Finance and investment analysis
Economic consultancy and policy analysis
Data analysis and business intelligence
Management, strategy, and entrepreneurship
Government, think tanks, and international organisations
LMSC progression support
UCAS guidance, course selection, and subject-combination advice
Predicted grades and academic references
Support with admissions tests and interviews (where applicable)
Results-day support, including Clearing and next-step planning
Explore other programmes that pair well with A level Economics or extend your specialist focus.
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Course highlights
