Political Sciences
Economics - A Level
Qualifications to start the course
Minimum entry requirements for all A-Level courses are a minimum of 8 GCSE subjects, with an average grade of 6 (legacy grade B) or above, including at least a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language (or Literature) and GCSE mathematics and a grade 6 or above in GCSE Science.
To study this subject, you will also need a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language and Maths.
Description of the subject
Economics is a wide ranging subject which touches on every aspect of commercial life.
As a result, study of Economics will broaden your understanding of the business, political and real world, encouraging you to evaluate some of the consequences of business and government decisions. Study of Economics is useful to those intending to enter the business and commercial world since it is included as a core subject in the examinations of all the professional bodies.
Economics is a difficult subject to summarise in a few lines and is probably unlike many of the subjects you will have studied at school. It is an academic subject which provides a good link between science and arts subjects. It is scientific in its investigative nature and requires good logical and analytical skills, together with the ability to produce convincing written argument.
If you study Economics you will discover, as with any subjects concerned with human behaviour, moral issues and that there is often more than one way of interpreting the observed facts. You will study the theories which try to explain economic behaviour, and will be free to weigh up the alternative arguments and draw your own conclusions.
The subject is ideal to study alongside Mathematics, Biology/Physics/Chemistry, Government & Politics, History, Sociology, Geography, Business and English. Economics is a subject that is intertwined with many A-Level subjects.
What you will do
During the Economics course you will consider issues such as:
- What are the effects of taxation policy?
- Why do political leaders always mention the economy?
- Why do exchange rates change and does a trade deficit matter?
- Is there enough money to go around? Some footballers earn in a week what a doctor, a person who saves lives, does in a year, why?
- Is it possible to reduce regional differences in unemployment?
- What influences the purchasing patterns of consumers and can a business predict these?
- Analysing public transport efficiency and ways to reduce road congestion.
- How can governments promote better care of the environment?
- What are the arguments for the cancellation of developing countries’ debt?
- What is the impact on the Eurozone in light of some member states’ budget deficits?
- The causes and consequences of globalisation.
Future prospects
Economics students have excellent career opportunities open to them across a range of employment sectors. Some will choose to pursue a career as an economist, but many will enter other graduate roles in private and public sector organisations. Some of our SJC Economics alumni have gone on to become accountants, investment bankers and traders.
Just a few of the roles which can be pursued include:
Certified Accountant, Economist, Management Consultant, Finance & Investment Analyst, Investment Banker, Tax Consultant, Computer Programmer, Advertising and Marketing, Officer in The Armed Forces, Language Assistant.
Government and Politics
Qualifications to start the course
Minimum entry requirements for all A Level courses are minimum of 8 GCSE subjects, with an average grade of 6 (legacy grade B) or above; including at least a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language (or Literature) and GCSE mathematics and a grade 6 or above in GCSE Science.
In addition, to study this subject you must have a grade 6 or above in English Language.
Description of the subject
A Level Government and Politics provides an excellent introduction to the study of politics. It looks at how the UK is governed, both at home and within the context of the European Union, and considers the changing nature of the UK political system.
- Interested in learning how the country is governed?
- Intrigued by political systems and how they work?
What you will do
- Deepen your general understanding of politics and its significance in the modern world
- Think about and evaluate issues in a balanced and logical way
- Understand that politics is central to the developments and processes that are shaping our society and personal lives today
- Stimulate your interest in different areas of the subject.
- Develop the ability to interpret and apply evidence from different sources and reach appropriate and credible conclusions
- Encourage you to consider the strengths and limitations of different political systems, and how specific systems might be improved
- Demonstrate the importance of studying different perspectives in order to appreciate the complexity of issues and the difficulty of reaching definitive conclusions.
Future prospects
A variety of occupations in the fields of Politics, Education, Public and Civil Services and so forth.
Law
Qualifications to start the course
Minimum entry requirements for all A Level courses are minimum of 8 GCSE subjects, with an average grade of 6 (legacy grade B) or above; including at least a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language (or Literature) and GCSE mathematics and a grade 6 or above in GCSE Science.
In addition, to study this subject you must have a grade 6 or above in GCSE English Language.
Description of the subject
A level law will enable learners to develop an understanding of both public and private law within the law of England and Wales, and develop skills, which will prepare them for further undergraduate study and future careers. This subject will enable learners to develop their ability to analyse both legal rules and principles and factual issues and enable learners to construct persuasive legal arguments and to evaluate the strength of such arguments. It will also enable learners to develop the ability to think critically about the role of law in society.
What you will do
- Develop knowledge and understanding of the English legal system and areas of both private and public law within the law of England and Wales
- Develop an understanding of legal method and reasoning as used by lawyers and the judiciary
- Develop and apply the techniques of legal method and reasoning to analyse and offer answers to problems, based on legal principles, legislation and case law
- Develop the ability to construct conclusions and communicate legal arguments by reference to appropriate legal authorities
- develop the ability to communicate persuasive legal arguments by reference to appropriate legal authorities
- Demonstrate critical awareness of the influence and operation of the law in society.
Future prospects
A Level Law can lead to the study of Law at degree level which can lead to careers in the Legal Profession. However, A Level Law is not only for those who want to do a Law degree. It is a useful foundation for many university courses including Humanities, Social Sciences, Politics, Business and Management.
