Economics
“If you want to truly understand the modern world and international relations, a solid grounding in Economics is essential”.
— Angus Grant (Head of Economics at Concord)
At its most fundamental, Economics defines a political system and how decisions are made. Studying Economics helps students understand the world around them by giving them the skills to interpret data, predict trends and evaluate decisions, even if they don’t agree with them. These new skills can be applied to other subject disciplines too.
Economics is a popular choice for Concordians considering a career in finance, and qualifications in Economics are highly regarded by universities.
Our Economics teachers are passionate about their subject. They encourage students to enter internal and external essay-writing competitions including the Royal Economics Society Young Economist of the Year and the IEA Dorian Fisher Memorial Prize. Several recent entrants into the John Locke Essay competition were awarded ‘outstanding’ and ‘highly commended’ marks by the judges.
In addition to teacher support, there are also student-led Economics discussion groups to stretch students’ knowledge beyond exam board specifications and encourage discussion and the sharing of ideas.
Oscar Wilde once defined an economist as ‘someone who knows the price of everything, and the value of nothing’. He was right. But prices are here to stay and a detailed understanding of how they shape the modern world and how economics can predict and indeed manipulate them, makes it such an exciting subject to study.
IGCSE
Board
Cambridge International Examinations
Mode of assessment
100% examination
In Form 4 and Form 5 students can opt to take the Cambridge IGCSE course. Students study both Macroeconomics and Microeconomics concurrently and soon learn how to apply their knowledge in a wide range of real-life situations to make sense of everyday economic issues as well as those in the news. This varied and interesting course gives students a good understanding of the economic world around them.
A Level
Board
Cambridge International Examinations
Mode of assessment
100% examination
At A Level, students learn Economic theories and then work on applying this to real world situations. The course is comprised of five themes, from basic economic ideas to government macro intervention.
Futures
Economics A Level is generally viewed as a challenging subject by universities. The skills and knowledge developed during the course can be an asset in the competitive market for university places. It is also held in high esteem by many employers.
Many students go on to study Economics, Business, Accountancy, Actuarial or Management courses at university. This leads on to a vast range of careers within industry and finance. There are also a whole range of jobs in local and national government dealing with economic analysis of data.
Economics offers a captivating perspective and understanding of the real world, combining quantitative skills with analytical thinking. Studying Economics at both GCSE and A level fuelled my passion and exposed me to a new academic discipline, ultimately leading me to pursue it at university level. The Economics department not only made the subject enjoyable and interesting but also fostered an environment where I could thrive. Reflecting on my time at Concord, I hold cherished memories and appreciation of the unwavering support I received from both staff and fellow students, propelling me to aim higher and achieve more.
—Karina (2022) now studying at Warwick University