When it comes to choosing your A Level subjects, Economics might seem like a daunting prospect. It certainly has a reputation for graphs, data and jargon. Which raises the question: is A Level Economics hard? And is this reputation fair? 

We’re here to give you the full breakdown of what A Level Economics involves, how challenging it is, and how to achieve top grades. We’ll also explore your degree and career options, and the best subjects to pair with A Level Economics. 

While Economics may seem intimidating, it’s an incredibly rewarding subject offering insights into everything from the way markets work to the impact of governments and globalisation.

So if you’re wondering whether A Level Economics is the right choice, read on.

In this article:

Is A Level Economics Hard? Difficulty and Subject Choices

Is A Level Economics hard?

If you’re wondering “Is economics a level tough?”, the short answer is yes. It can be. But how challenging it feels will depend on your strengths and study habits. Like many challenging A Level subjects, Economics combines theory with real-world applications. You’ll need to interpret data, construct arguments and make sense of complex economic principles to succeed.

A Level Economics dives into the big questions that shape societies: Why do prices rise? What causes economic growth? How can governments control the economy? 

While each exam board has its own specification, the subject is generally split into two main areas:

• Microeconomics: Exploring how individuals and businesses make decisions, focusing on market forces like supply and demand, price setting, competition and how resources are allocated.
• Macroeconomics: Where you zoom out to examine the economy as a whole, learning about topics like inflation, unemployment, fiscal policy and globalisation.

Through these topics, you’ll gain a solid grasp of how economies function on different levels, building a knowledge base that can be applied in various degrees and careers. 

But in terms of difficulty, Economics also poses a challenging combination of Maths and English skills.

• Maths: While not at the same level as subjects like Maths or Chemistry, you’ll need to interpret graphs, calculate percentages and understand statistical data. But if you enjoy spotting trends in data and finding logical solutions, the maths involved in Economics is manageable.
• English: Some students find the essay-based nature of Economics exams challenging, as they require factual accuracy and clear, well-supported arguments. Questions ask you to evaluate economic theories and suggest solutions to economic issues, meaning you’ll need to feel confident writing under timed conditions.

So if you’re analytical, enjoy understanding complex systems, and don’t mind a bit of maths, A Level Economics is massively rewarding. With consistent study and practice, top grades are absolutely achievable.

What subjects go well with Economics A Level?

Choosing the right combination of A Levels makes a big difference to your study experience and future options. So, what A Levels go well together? Here are some of the best combinations that work well with Economics:

• Economics, Maths and Further Maths: Ideal if you’re aiming for courses with a quantitative focus, like finance, econometrics, engineering or accounting – where strong Maths skills are essential.
• Economics, Geography and Politics: A great combination if you’re interested in social sciences, international relations, or environmental studies. Geography provides insights into human and environmental systems, while Politics sharpens your understanding of policy impacts.
• Economics, Psychology and Sociology: These subjects let you study human behaviour from multiple angles, great for degrees in social science, psychology or public health. Economics focuses on the financial side, Psychology delves into individual and group behaviour, and Sociology explores societal structures.
• Economics, Business Studies and Maths: This trio is useful for those interested in business, management or entrepreneurship. The Maths component helps with analytical thinking, while Business Studies offers insights into organisational and strategic aspects of the economy.
• Economics, History and Philosophy: Perfect for PPE degrees or careers in law and journalism. Economics builds analytical skills, History offers context and trends, and Philosophy develops critical thinking and ethics – ideal for tackling complex societal issues.

Do universities prefer three or four A Levels?

Three A Levels are sufficient for most universities and undergraduate degree courses. 

Top Russell Group unis like Oxford and Cambridge don’t normally ask for four A Levels. They’re much more interested in your depth of knowledge, grades and passion for your chosen three subjects. So it’s far better to achieve three top grades than spread yourself too thin with four average results.

That said, taking four A Levels can be a good option if you’re aiming for highly competitive programs. Think courses like Medicine or Law at universities like Oxbridge, LSE, UCL or Imperial. St Andrews and Bath University are also extremely competitive, even though they’re not Russell Group members. 

For these universities, a fourth A Level (with excellent grades!) may set you apart from other applicants. But only go for it if you feel confident managing the extra workload.

Is Economics a good A Level to do?

Economics is an excellent A Level choice, offering flexibility and relevance across many fields. Its blend of critical thinking, data analysis and real-world applications makes it valuable whether or not you pursue a degree in Economics. 

What’s more, students seem to enjoy it too!

A Level Economics gives you fascinating insights into how societies operate, the forces driving markets, and the role of policy in shaping economies. Plus, its reputation as a challenging yet accessible subject means it’s well-respected by universities and employers.

Is A Level Economics respected?

Yes, Economics is a strong choice that’s respected by both universities and employers. 

Known for its analytical approach and practical application, Economics builds a highly regarded skillset, especially useful in law, accounting, business and public policy. 

Some of the key skills it fosters include:

• Analytical thinking: Economics trains you to think logically and critically about data, identify trends and apply theory to real-world issues. These skills are invaluable in professional settings where you’ll be expected to support your ideas with data and analysis.
• Numeracy skills: While you don’t need to be a maths expert, Economics requires basic maths skills – such as calculating percentages, interpreting averages and reading graphs. These foundational skills are highly valued in the workplace and often overlooked in other subjects.
• Problem-solving: Economics is all about finding solutions to issues like inflation, economic growth and budget balancing. Each topic encourages you to approach problems from multiple perspectives, an essential skill for further study.

What are the least respected A Levels?

Every A Level subject has value. However, some, like Media Studies, Leisure Studies, Physical Education and Photography (for example), have a reputation as less academically rigorous, especially in the eyes of top universities.

That said, if you have a passion for a particular subject, go for it! Just because a subject isn’t viewed as “academic” doesn’t mean it won’t serve you well. After all, enthusiasm and interest can take you far!

But if you’re setting your sights on competitive unis and courses, ensure your A Level choices align with the university’s expectations. Carefully consider:

• Niche or vocational subjects: Subjects like Leisure Studies or Home Economics. While they might be fun and engaging, they lack the broad academic foundation that top universities prefer.
• Practical or creative subjects: While A Levels in Art, Photography or Design Technology are fantastic for creative careers, they aren’t great for courses like Law, Sciences or Medicine. That said, if you’re eyeing a field like architecture or fine arts, they’re fantastic!
• Non-preferred subjects: If you’re aiming for a place at a top university, pay attention to “facilitating subjects.” These include traditional subjects like Maths, Sciences, History and English – preferred over newer A Level courses like Media or Business Studies.

Is A Level Economics Hard? Grades and Comparisons

Is it hard to get an A* in A Level Economics?

An A* in A Level Economics is undoubtedly challenging, but with the right approach, it’s well within reach. Around 5-10% of students achieve an A* each year. 

Here’s a breakdown of A*s for the main exam boards:

• AQA: 7.1%
• OCR: 6.95%
• Edexcel (Economics B): 4.6%
• Edexcel (Economics A): 8.3%
• Eduqas: 9.7%

To help you reach the very top grades, keep the following strategies in mind:

• Practise past papers: Working through Economics past papers is the best way to get familiar with question formats and timing. This not only improves your exam technique but helps identify common themes and question structures.
• Review grade boundaries: Explore recent grade boundaries to understand how marks are allocated. Knowing the A* boundary gives you a clear benchmark to aim for and helps you focus on high-impact areas in your revision.
• Master graphs and diagrams: Diagrams are crucial in Economics, helping support your arguments. Practice drawing key graphs, such as supply and demand curves, so you can include these in your essays.
• Stay updated on economic news: Real-world examples are invaluable for demonstrating your understanding of economic concepts. Following economic news (from reputable sources like the BBC or Financial Times) lets you bring fresh, relevant examples into your answers.
• Develop strong essay plans: Crafting well-structured essays is essential for Economics. Practice creating clear, logical essay plans that address the question directly. This will help you build coherent arguments under time pressure and cover key points effectively.

Is it easy to pass Economics A Level?

A Level Economics is relatively easy to pass if you put in the study hours and understand the basics. You’ll still need to confidently answer essay questions, interpret data and apply theories. But a pass grade (i.e. anything above an E) is achievable for the vast majority of students. 

Only 1-2% of pupils fail Economics A Level (receiving a U or “unclassified” grade) each year. 

If you’ve just missed your hoped-for grades, remember GCSE and A Level retakes are possible. Specialist academic coaches and study skills tutors (like us at Academic Coaching!) can also help you overcome roadblocks in your studies.

Is Economics A Level a lot of maths?

While some maths skills are needed, A Level Economics isn’t as intensive as subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Maths or Further Maths. You’ll encounter some algebra, graph analysis and calculations related to things like elasticity, but advanced maths isn’t required.

If you’re aiming to study Economics at a top university, however, expect more maths in your degree. So taking Maths alongside Economics, or working on your core skills, is helpful.

Is Psychology or Economics harder?

Economics and Psychology require different strengths. Economics leans more on analytical skills and includes more maths, while Psychology requires memorising theories, research studies, and experiments. Economics may feel easier if you prefer logic and data, while Psychology might appeal more to students interested in human behaviour and scientific study.

Generally speaking though, Economics has a reputation as the harder subject.

Is Economics A Level harder than Chemistry?

Chemistry and Economics both have their challenges. Chemistry requires in-depth understanding of scientific principles, lab work and lots of memorisation, while Economics demands a blend of theory, data interpretation and critical analysis. If you’re more comfortable with data and graphs than chemical formulas and in-depth calculations, you might find Economics a better fit.

But for most students, Chemistry comes out on top as the harder subject.

Still deciding on your subjects? For more insights into the hardest and easiest A Level subjects, as well as the simplest and most challenging university degrees, don’t miss our in-depth guides.

Want to get more out of your A Level studies?

Economics is a challenging but rewarding subject, opening doors to exciting fields like business, finance, law and beyond. With the right A Level combination, your future options expand even further. 

If you’d like expert guidance on subject choices or need a boost with revision strategies, we’re here to help. Our team offers tailored study skills coaching, university application support and academic life coaching to help you make confident, informed decisions. 

Reach out today and get set up for success!