Economics

Course details: Board and Specification: AQA 7136 

To those of you intending to study Economics at A level 

Here is a link to the specification:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/economics/as-and-a-level/economics-7135-7136

- Congratulations on choosing such an interesting and relevant subject! 

- I’ve put together some preparation work for you to consider over the summer

Firstly, many of you have asked me what textbooks we use.  The Judd school will provide you with a copy but some of you may find a cheap copy on ebay etc.  However, this is not essential – and I only provide this information because I have been asked by several would-be economists.  An earlier edition of this textbook would also be suitable.

In addition, here are some sources to look up, watch and listen to over the summer:

Websites which contain relevant current and historical data

Trading economics: https://tradingeconomics.com/united-kingdom/indicators 

ONS: https://www.ons.gov.uk/  Office of National Statistics 

OBR: https://obr.uk/  Office of Budgetary Responsibility 

BOE: Bank of England 

A level websites

Tutor 2U: Update on the UK Economy for Students Taking A Level Economics in 2023 

Econdal: UK Economy Stats 2023 - A* Gold for Macro Exams! 

Economics Online: Managing the economy - Economics Online 

Economics Help: Macroeconomics - Notes and Essays - Economics Help 

Investopedia: Financial Terms Dictionary USA website

Radio 4

More or Less (Tim Harford): BBC Radio 4 - More or Less 

How to Raise a Trillion (Matha Carney and Darshini David) 

BBC Radio 4 - How to Raise a Trillion 

Understand the Economy:

BBC Radio 4 - Understand, The Economy, Welcome to Understand 

The Bottom Line (Evan Davis): BBC Radio 4 - The Bottom Line - Available now 

The Privatisation of British Gas:  BBC Radio 4 - Seriously..., The Privatisation of British Gas 

Newspapers/journals

The Guardian Economics | Business | The Guardian No subscription required 

(Includes Larry Eliott’s reports) 

The Economist The Economist 

Television documentary series

The Decade the Rich won: The Decade the Rich Won - BBC Two 

Panorama: BBC One - Panorama - Available now 

Roz Atkins: Ros Atkins on how UK wages have failed to keep up with the cost of living - BBC News RA also presents a series of short explanations of many concepts relevant to the course - please search accordingly.

Blair And Brown: The New Labour Revolution: 

BBC iPlayer - Blair & Brown: The New Labour Revolution 

The Cameron Years:  BBC One - The Cameron Years 

A State of Chaos: Laura Kuenssberg: State of Chaos - BBC Two Laura Keunsberg on the Cameron, May, Truss and Sunak years

… and a 1966 song to c - on fiscal policy? The Beatles - Taxman

…and finally, there is no escaping Economics in the news.  25% of the marks available across all three papers are from understanding and applying economics to real world events both current and historical, as well as national and international – so please do make a start on building your knowledge of economic history.  

Newsnight:  BBC2 10 30pm or  Newsnight - BBC iPlayer 

(This includes Ben Chu’s reports)

Channel 4 news 7pm/ Channel 4 plus one at 8pm or Channel 4 News 

BBC News 10pm: BBC News at Ten  (This includes Faisal Islam’s reports)  

Sunday with Laura Keunsberg BBC1 9am or Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg - BBC iPlayer  

Another  way of doing this, is to complete the project below: 

https://cdn.hillsroad.ac.uk/files/Summer-work/Economics/Economics-Summer-Work.-2024.docx 

Here are the links referred to in the questions:

https://www.hillsroad.ac.uk/study-with-us/summer-work/economics-summer-work 

I’m looking forward to meeting and teaching you in the future!

Ms K J Galvin

Head of Politics and Economics