Qualification
AQA A-level Economics
A-level specification 7136, graded from A* to E.
AQA A-level · Specification 7136
Online A-level Economics Course
Explore how markets, businesses, governments and households make economic decisions. This structured two-year home-study course develops the analytical, quantitative and evaluative skills required for AQA A-level Economics.
Immediate access to the online course
33 structured lessons across four modules
Optional tutor marking, tutorials and printed materials
Start your A-level Economics course
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Course overview
Understand markets, policy and the global economy
Study how individuals and firms make decisions, how markets allocate resources and why governments intervene in the economy. The course also examines inflation, unemployment, financial markets, economic growth, trade, globalisation and international economic relationships.
Course structure
4 modules · 33 lessons
Two first-year modules are followed by two advanced second-year modules.
Recommended study time
Approximately 700 hours
This includes lesson study, textbook reading, activities, wider reading, assignments and examination preparation.
Recommended study period
Normally two years
A two-year timetable allows economic theory, diagrams, analysis and essay skills to develop progressively.
Marked course work
6 assignments · 4 progress tests
These are distributed throughout the course and followed by three A-level practice examinations.
Final assessment
3 written papers
Each paper lasts two hours and contributes one third of the final qualification.
Core skills
Analyse data and evaluate arguments
Apply economic models, interpret evidence and reach supported judgements about economic issues.
Coursework
No coursework or NEA
The complete A-level is assessed through the three final written examination papers.
We recommend allowing two years for an A-level
A-level Economics involves approximately 700 hours of study. Most students should therefore plan to complete the course over two academic years rather than compressing the full specification into a single year.
The first year establishes the main microeconomic and macroeconomic models. The second year applies these ideas to more complex markets, policy decisions and international economic issues.
Economics is closely connected to current events
Economic theory must be applied to the world beyond the textbook. Students should follow reliable reporting on inflation, interest rates, employment, government policy, financial markets, trade and economic growth.
Keeping a digital or paper collection of useful articles, statistics and examples can provide valuable material for data-response and essay questions.
Strong answers require analysis rather than description
Simply identifying an economic concept will gain limited credit. Students must explain logical links between causes and consequences, apply theory to the context provided and consider competing arguments before reaching a judgement.
Advanced Mathematics is not required
The course introduction does not require GCSE-level Mathematics as a formal prerequisite. Students must, however, be comfortable with simple calculations, percentages, fractions, statistics and the construction and interpretation of economic graphs.
How the course works
Combine economic theory with data and current examples
Work through the lessons in sequence, using the Oxford Home Schooling course alongside the required textbook. Each module combines economic models, diagrams, calculations, activities, data-response questions and extended written analysis.
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Begin with the economic foundations
Study scarcity, markets, demand and supply, production, market failure and the basic operation of the national economy.
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Use the course and textbook together
Follow the lesson explanations and activities alongside the specified textbook reading and self-assessment questions.
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Apply theory to current economic issues
Use news, statistics and case-study evidence to examine how consumers, firms, governments and financial institutions respond to economic change.
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Prepare for data response and essays
Practise diagrams, calculations, multiple-choice questions, evidence-based analysis and balanced evaluative conclusions.
Optional extra support
Add tutor support when it would help
Assignment marking, practice-paper marking, Email Tutor Support and one-to-one tutorials can be added when you need feedback on diagrams, calculations, analysis, evaluation or examination technique.
What you’ll study
Four modules covering microeconomics and macroeconomics
The first year introduces markets, market failure and the operation of the national economy. The second year develops consumer behaviour, firms, labour markets, inequality, financial markets, trade, globalisation and international economic policy.
First year · also supports the separate AS qualification
Modules 1 and 2 contain 14 lessons and cover the material required for the separate AQA AS Economics qualification 7135. They also form the foundation of the complete A-level course.
Module 1 The Operation of Markets and Market Failure Economic methodology, demand and supply, elasticity, equilibrium, production, market failure and government intervention. 7 lessons
- Economic Methodology
- The Demand and Supply Curves
- Elasticity
- Determination of Equilibrium Market Prices
- Production, Costs and Revenue
- Market Failure
- Government Intervention
Tutor-marked Assignment A
Tutor-marked Assignment B
Progress Test One
Module 2 The National Economy in a Global Context Macroeconomic performance, aggregate demand and supply, inflation, unemployment, the balance of payments and economic policy. 7 lessons
- The Measurement of Macroeconomic Performance
- How the Macroeconomy Works
- Inflation and Interest Rates
- Employment and Unemployment
- The Balance of Payments
- Macroeconomic Policy
- Recent Changes in the UK Economy
Tutor-marked Assignment D
Tutor-marked Assignment E
Progress Test Two
AS Practice Examination — Paper 1
Second year · advanced markets and the global economy
Modules 3 and 4 add 19 lessons. They deepen the analysis of consumers, firms and labour markets before moving into finance, government strategy, globalisation, trade and the European economic context.
Module 3 Individuals, Firms, Markets and Market Failure Consumer behaviour, behavioural economics, firms, competition, labour markets, poverty and government intervention. 9 lessons
- Individual Consumer Behaviour and Utility Theory
- Behavioural Economics
- The Firm
- Imperfect Competition and Oligopoly
- Mergers and Competition Policy
- Nationalisation and Privatisation
- The Labour Market
- Poverty and Inequality
- Market Failure Revisited
Tutor-marked Assignment H
Progress Test Three
Module 4 The National and International Economy Growth, development, national income, financial markets, economic policy, international trade and the European economy. 10 lessons
- Economic Growth: Developing Economies and Globalisation
- National Income
- Inflation and Unemployment
- The Financial Markets
- Government Strategies
- International Trade
- The European Union: The Formation and Opportunities of the Single Market
- Economic Aspects of the European Union
- Expansion and Reforms
- The European Union in a Global Context
Tutor-marked Assignment J
Progress Test Four
Practice Examination — Paper 1
Practice Examination — Paper 2
Practice Examination — Paper 3
Economics is a connected subject
Topics are divided into modules for convenience, but microeconomic and macroeconomic ideas frequently overlap. Later questions may require knowledge from several different parts of the course.
Work through the modules in order and continue revising earlier diagrams, definitions and analytical chains while studying the more advanced second-year material.
Exams and assessment
How AQA A-level Economics is assessed
The full A-level is assessed through three two-hour written papers taken in the same examination series. Students answer data-response, essay, multiple-choice and case-study questions.
Paper 1
Markets and Market Failure
2 hours
Exam duration
80 marks
Available marks
33.3%
Of the A-level
Paper 1 assesses individuals, firms, markets and market failure. Students choose one of two data-response contexts worth 40 marks and one of three essay questions worth 40 marks.
Paper 2
National and International Economy
2 hours
Exam duration
80 marks
Available marks
33.3%
Of the A-level
Paper 2 assesses macroeconomic performance, policy, financial markets and the international economy. Students choose one data-response context and one essay question.
Paper 3
Economic Principles and Issues
2 hours
Exam duration
80 marks
Available marks
33.3%
Of the A-level
Paper 3 is synoptic and can assess content from across the complete course. Section A contains 30 marks of multiple-choice questions and Section B is a 50-mark compulsory case study.
Examination timing
All three papers in one series
Marks from individual papers cannot be carried forward to a later examination sitting.
Coursework
No coursework component
The complete qualification is determined entirely through the three externally assessed papers.
Calculator use
Electronic calculators permitted
Students should check the current AQA rules to ensure that their calculator is an approved examination model.
Assessment skills
Knowledge, application, analysis and evaluation
Students must use qualitative and quantitative evidence to explain economic effects and support informed judgements.
Examination entry
You arrange your examination centre separately
Course enrolment does not automatically enter you for the examinations. Private candidates should locate an AQA-registered centre willing to enter them for A-level Economics specification 7136.
Confirm the centre’s entry arrangements, fees and deadlines well in advance of the examination series.
Support and add-ons
Choose the level of A-level Economics support you need
Your subscription provides the structured online course. Optional add-ons let you purchase written feedback, direct tutor contact, live explanations and printed materials when they would help.
Written feedback
Assignment marking
Purchase marking for individual tutor-marked assignments and receive feedback on economic knowledge, calculations, diagrams, application, analysis and evaluation.
Assignment marking bundle£89.91
Exam preparation
Practice-exam marking
Complete the A-level practice papers under timed conditions and purchase marking to identify strengths, misconceptions and priorities for final revision.
Practice examination marking bundle£85.50
Written tutor contact
Email Tutor Support
Ask focused questions about an economic concept, calculation, diagram, data-response task, essay plan or examination answer.
Email Tutor Support£10.00 / month
Live support
One-to-one tutorials
Book a live tutorial for personalised explanation, quantitative support, diagram practice, essay development or focused examination preparation.
Tutorial time Purchased separately
Study your way
Printed course materials
Add printed Oxford Home Schooling materials if you prefer annotating economic diagrams, calculations, data and essay plans on paper.
Printed course materials£50.00
Flexible support
Add support when you need it
Begin with the core course and add marking, tutor contact, tutorials or printed materials as your A-level Economics studies progress.
A-level Economics support
See all available A-level Economics support
Prospective students can compare the available support services. Existing students can purchase A-level Economics marking, tutorials and other course-specific add-ons through their account.
Frequently asked questions
Questions about the A-level Economics course
Find answers about study time, previous knowledge, Mathematics, the AS option, current affairs, assignments and the final examination papers.
How long should I allow to complete the course?
The course represents approximately 700 hours of study. We normally recommend completing it over two years.
This allows time to develop diagram skills, quantitative confidence, economic analysis and extended evaluative writing.
Do I need to have studied Economics before?
No previous Economics qualification is required. The first module introduces economic methodology, markets, demand and supply before moving into more advanced theory.
Do I need GCSE Mathematics?
The course introduction does not state a formal GCSE Mathematics requirement.
Students must nevertheless be able to use percentages and fractions, make simple calculations and construct or interpret graphs from economic data.
Is there an AS Economics option?
Yes. The first two modules also prepare students for the separate AQA AS Economics qualification 7135.
AS marks do not contribute towards the full A-level. Students continuing to A-level must still sit all three A-level papers.
How many final A-level examinations are there?
There are three written papers. Each lasts two hours, carries 80 marks and contributes one third of the final qualification.
Is there coursework or NEA?
No. AQA A-level Economics is assessed entirely through the three final written examinations.
How important are current economic events?
They are very important. Examination questions combine theory with real data and contemporary economic issues.
Students should follow reliable reporting on inflation, interest rates, employment, trade, growth, government policy and financial markets.
Will I need to draw economic diagrams?
Yes. Students must construct, label and interpret diagrams such as demand and supply, costs and revenue, market structures and aggregate demand and aggregate supply.
A diagram should support the written analysis rather than replace it.
What makes a strong Economics answer?
A strong answer applies accurate economic theory to the context, develops clear chains of reasoning and uses evidence or diagrams appropriately.
Evaluative answers should consider competing arguments, recognise relevant conditions and reach a supported judgement.
How are Progress Tests different from assignments?
Regular assignments normally test a smaller group of recent lessons. Progress Tests cover a wider section of the course and contain a mixture of multiple-choice, data-response and essay-style questions.
Where possible, Progress Tests should be attempted under examination conditions.
Can I use a calculator in the examinations?
Yes. Electronic calculators are permitted, subject to AQA’s current examination regulations.
Do I need to buy a textbook?
Yes. The course is designed to be studied alongside AQA A Level Economics by Ray Powell and James Powell.
The lessons and textbook complement one another, so some topics are covered more fully in one resource than the other.
Ready to begin?
Start your online A-level Economics course
Begin working towards AQA A-level Economics through a structured two-year home-study course covering markets, firms, government policy and the national and international economy.
- Approximately 700 hours of structured study
- Designed to be completed over two years
- Prepare for all three A-level examination papers
Start your Economics course
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