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A Level Economics Course CIE

The A Level Economics Online course with Learn Now follows the CIE (9708) specification and is equivalent to the qualification you would achieve if attending mainstream college. Once completed, you will obtain UCAS points which will support progression to university in degrees such as Economics, Finance, Management and Data Science.

This course would suit adult learners returning to education, students resitting exams or studying alongside other commitments, and learners looking to be accepted into University.

  • Awarding Body: Cambridge
  • Specification Code: 9708
  • Learning Hours: 360hrs Full A Level
  • Fast Track Available
  • Full A Level Qualification

Enrol Anytime | Enrolment Fee £395

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Syllabus

This International A Level Economics syllabus with Cambridge will teach learners how to explain and analyse economic issues and arguments, evaluate economic information, and organise, present and communicate ideas and judgements clearly.

The course covers a range of basic economic ideas, including an introduction to the price system and government intervention, international trade and exchange rates, the measurement of employment and inflation, and the causes and consequences of inflation.

Learners also study the price system, the theory of the firm, market failure, macroeconomic theory and policy, and economic growth and development.

The Full A Level has ten modules you will need to cover which is split into IAS and IA2.

IAS Modules

People, businesses and governments must make decisions on how resources are distributed.  Allocating money, time, land and labour to produce goods and services is known as resource allocation.  In this topic, you will cover:

  • Scarcity, choice and opportunity cost
  • Economic methodology
  • Factors of production
  • Resource allocation in different economic systems
  • Production possibility curves
  • Classification of goods and services

The price system allows us to determine what to produce, how to produce and for whom to produce through demand and supply.  In this topic, you will cover:

  • Demand and supply curves
  • Price elasticity, income elasticity and cross elasticity of demand
  • Price elasticity of supply
  • The interaction of demand and supply
  • Consumer and producer surplus

Sometimes the government will intervene in individual markets to try to improve the economy.  For example, they may increase tax on cigarettes.  This increases the price to the customer but also reduces demand.  In this topic, you will cover:

  • Reasons for government intervention in markets
  • Methods and effects of government intervention in markets
  • Addressing income and wealth inequality

For this topic you will look at the economy as a whole rather than individual markets.  You will gain an understanding of the following:

  • National income statistics
  • Introduction to the circular flow of income
  • Aggregate Demand and Aggregate Supply analysis
  • Economic growth
  • Unemployment
  • Price stability

Macroeconomic intervention influences the whole economy and is implemented by the government to support economic growth, unemployment, inflation and income distribution.  Policies are put in place to help keep the economy stable and for it to grow.

  • Government macroeconomic policy objectives
  • Fiscal policy
  • Monetary policy
  • Supply-side policy

Countries will trade with each other as no country can produce everything it needs efficiently.  This topic will look at how countries exchange through trade, exchange rates and balance of payments.

  • The reasons for international trade
  • Protectionism
  • Current account of the balance of payments
  • Exchange rates
  • Policies to correct imbalances in the current account of the balance of payments

IA2 Modules

  • Utility
  • Indifference curves and budget lines
  • Efficiency and market failure
  • Private costs and benefits, externalities and social costs and benefits
  • Types of cost, revenue and profit, short-run and long-run production
  • Different market structures
  • Growth and survival of firms
  • Differing objectives and policies of firms
  • Government policies to achieve efficient resource allocation and correct market failure
  • Equity and redistribution of income and wealth
  • Labour market forces and government intervention
  • The circular flow of income
  • Economic growth and sustainability
  • Employment/unemployment
  • Money and banking
  • Government macroeconomic policy objectives
  • Links between macroeconomic problems and their interrelatedness
  • Effectiveness of policy options to meet all macroeconomic objectives
  • Policies to correct disequilibrium in the balance of payments
  • Exchange rates 
  • Economic development 
  • Characteristics of countries at different levels of development
  • Relationship between countries at different levels of development
  • Globalisation

What Can I do with A Level Economics?

Students in the past have progressed onto the following degrees in Economics, Maths or Finance.

Economics is a great starting point for those looking for a career in finance, business or politics. However, it is also useful for a range of careers including marketing, law, journalism or teaching.

Previous Knowledge Required

There are no previous entry requirements for this course, however students are expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy. 

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor.

Enrolment Fees

Our Enrolment fee for this course is noted at the top of this page where you can enrol directly onto the course.  This fee includes access to your course including tutor support for 2 years.

Our enrolment fee includes:

  • All study materials covering the full specification.
  • Full support where you can also message your tutor as many times as you need to.
  • Access to our online Library with a full range of eBooks.
  • Help completing university applications including UCAS and The Common Application.
  • Reference and predicted grade for University.
  • Assignment marking and feedback
  • Marked and graded practise examination papers
  • Eligibility for a Totum Card if you reside within the UK
  • Fast Track A Level if required and flexible learning from home 24/7.

The only other fee you will need to pay is for your exams which is due approximately six months prior and this will be paid directly to the exam centre.

Assessments

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at a CIE approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

A Level Exams
There are four exams for the full A Level qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:

Paper 1 – 1 hour
Paper 2 – 2 hours
Paper 3 – 1 hour 15 min
Paper 4 – 2 hours

Paper 1 Paper 1 Paper 1 Exam Paper 4 A Level Qualification

AS Level Exams
There are two exams for the AS Level qualification. The length of each exam is as follows:

Paper 1 – 1 hour
Paper 2 – 2 hours

Paper 1 Paper 1 IAS Exams

For Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics, learners can:

take Papers 1 and 2 only (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) or

follow a staged assessment route by taking Papers 1 and 2 (for the Cambridge International AS Level qualification) in one series, then Papers 3 and 4 (for the Cambridge International A Level qualification) in a later series or

take Papers 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the same examination series, leading to the full Cambridge International A Level.

A Level Economics Online Course Outcome

On successful completion of all your exams for the A Level Economics Online Course, you will be awarded one of the following qualifications:

International A Level in Economics with CIE | International AS Level in Economics with CIE

Click here for more information on CIE and to be taken to their official website

FAQs

Still unsure? See below for more information on A Level Economics

For A Level Economics, learners will need to explain and analyse referring to diagrams.  Examples may need to refer to real-life examples and evaluations must provide a balanced judgement.

You will find it easier to tackle Economics if you like current affairs such as inflation, unemployment and interest rates.  Also you must be able to explain ideas clearly and with logical thinking.

You will not be required to purchase any books with this course.  We automatically include logins to our online e-Library which includes access to following eBook(s):

Cambridge International AS & A Level Economics – Colin Bamford (Cambridge Press)

Not see the book you are looking for? Ask us and we will let you know if we have it!

A Level Mathematics – If you are looking to progress onto Economics, Finance or Banking at University, Mathematics would be a great subject to compliment Economics.  Maths skills can help with topics like micro/macro diagrams, national income and statistical analysis making the subject easier to understand.

Business Studies – For pathways into Business, Marketing or Consulting, Business provides a great basis for firms, markets, management and real-world business decisions.

Cambridge International A Level Economics can be taken outside the UK as well as within the UK.  Cambridge provide global recognition for their A Level qualifications and are recognised by universities.

At the end of this course you will receive an Internationally recognised qualification which will allow you to apply a university situated anywhere in the world.

AS and A levels are standalone qualifications, however the Full A Level carries more UCAS points than the AS Level.  It also requires more study hours as follows:

  • AS Level = 180 hours
  • A Level = 360 hours

You will see the difference in the content above under ‘syllabus’ but you can also refer to our article on ‘what is as level’ for more information.

You will receive access and support for two years, however you can complete it much sooner if you want to.  Exams for this subject fall in May/June and October/November each year and therefore you are able to choose which exam sitting you want to apply for.  We have more information on exam timetables here.

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Fill in the form below or call us on 0800 160 1556, and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can. Also don’t forget to let us know which course it is that you are interested in…