Doing economics at A level (not having done it at GSCE level)

[iwantavuvezela]

Dd is trying to think around her choices for A level (and because we have to put down some choices when applying for schools)
Drama and Maths are firm contenders
chemistry -was always the third choice - Dd now wondering about this

DD is now thinking of adding something like economics (her school lets them take 4 with the thought of dropping one after 6 weeks or so to see if they like it)

so question is - would economics be the type of subject you could pick up at A level?

Yes. I did it 18 years ago and got an A. That makes me feel very old!

Yep, most schools offer it as an A level without offering it at GCSE. Good mathematical ability and clear writing skills are probably the two most important things to possess in order to be successful; it sounds like your DD has those if she's doing Maths and Drama (which has an essay component).

Yes it’s fine - DS is year 13 doing A-level economics. The school doesn’t offer GCSE so no choice.

There really aren't that many schools that offer economics at GCSE, so it's quite normal to go straight in to the A-level having not done it at GCSE.

Does the school she's looking at doing the A-level at offer it at GCSE? If not then it's likely that pretty much everyone will be starting it fresh.

Yes. You can do an Economics degree without having studied previously too.

DS really enjoyed his economics a level and it was a good balance of essays / analysis.

thank you everyone - actually wasn't aware it probably wasn't a GSCE option so that's even better then

I did this too, and actually less than 2 years because I swapped to Economics from maths (where I was struggling). Main advice is to have an interest in the topic and do extra reading. Unsurprisingly The Economist would be really good to get a subscription too. Makes it much more relevant.