If your son or daughter is considering A-Level Economics, you may be wondering what the subject involves, how difficult it is and whether it will be useful in the future.
Economics can be an excellent A-Level, but I wouldn't recommend it simply because it sounds academic or looks good on a university application. The more important question is whether your child is likely to enjoy the subject and the way economists think.
What Will Your Child Actually Study?
Economics examines how people, businesses and governments make choices, and what happens as a result.
Students study questions such as why prices rise, what causes unemployment, how businesses compete and why governments change taxes or interest rates.
The course is divided into two broad areas. Microeconomics looks at consumers, businesses and individual markets, while macroeconomics examines the economy as a whole.
Students learn to use economic theories, diagrams and evidence to explain what is happening in the real world. It is not a course in personal finance, investing or how to make money.
What Sort of Student Enjoys Economics?
I don't think there is one particular type. Your child certainly doesn't need to spend their evenings reading the Financial Times or arrive knowing much about the economy.
I would be more interested in whether they are curious about why things happen.
Suppose the government increases the minimum wage. A student of economics might ask whether workers will benefit, how businesses might respond, whether prices could rise and whether some jobs might be affected.
They would also learn to ask whether the outcome depends on the size of the increase or the circumstances of individual businesses.
Students who enjoy following an argument, asking questions and considering different explanations often find economics particularly interesting.
How Difficult Is A-Level Economics?
Economics involves both numerical and written work. Students use percentages, graphs and economic data, but the mathematics is generally manageable for someone reasonably comfortable with GCSE Maths.
The greater challenge is often explaining why something happens, developing a logical argument and evaluating different possible outcomes.
For example, students might learn that higher interest rates can reduce inflation. But they also need to explain how higher borrowing costs affect spending and why the eventual impact on inflation may depend on the circumstances.
Economics is assessed through written examinations under the main AQA and Edexcel specifications. Students therefore need to become comfortable explaining their ideas clearly under exam conditions.
They don't need to be excellent essay writers before starting the course. These are skills they will develop with practice.
What GCSE Grades Does My Child Need?
Schools and sixth-form colleges set their own entry requirements. Some ask for a grade 6 in GCSE Maths, while others accept a grade 5. English and general GCSE requirements also vary.
Your child does not normally need to have studied GCSE Economics.
Our separate guide, What GCSE Grades Do You Need for A-Level Economics?, explains the requirements in more detail.
Is Economics a Good Choice for University?
Economics develops analytical, numerical and written skills that can be useful across a wide range of university courses and careers.
However, there is one important consideration if your child is thinking about studying Economics at university.
Many university economics degrees require A-Level Maths, even when A-Level Economics itself is not required.
University economics can be considerably more mathematical than the A-Level course. I would therefore check the entry requirements of several universities before deciding which A-Levels to take.
For students who are unsure about their future plans, economics can still be an interesting and useful choice. But it should be part of a combination of subjects that suits their interests, abilities and possible ambitions.
How Can Parents Help?
You don't need to know any economics yourself, and I wouldn't suggest trying to become your child's teacher at home.
Before they choose the subject, encourage them to look at a course outline or sample examination paper. Ask which questions interest them and whether they would enjoy studying those sorts of problems for two years.
Once they begin the course, talking about everyday economic issues can be surprisingly helpful.
If the news reports that inflation has fallen, ask whether that means prices have actually fallen. If interest rates change, ask who might benefit and who might lose.
You don't need to know the answers. The important thing is encouraging your child to explain their thinking and consider different possibilities.
Ultimately, I would recommend A-Level Economics to a student who is curious about the world, reasonably comfortable with numbers and willing to develop their reasoning and writing skills.
It won't suit everybody. But for students who enjoy asking why things happen, it can be a fascinating subject.
Related Reading
What Is A-Level Economics? What You Learn and What the Subject Is Like
A straightforward introduction to the course and what studying Economics involves.
Is A-Level Economics Difficult?
Find out what students typically find challenging and how they can develop the skills to succeed.