The Department of Economics offers two first year courses: EC100 and EC102. EC100 (Economics A) is for students who do not have A Level Economics or equivalent, while EC102 (Economics B) is for those students who have A Level Economics or equivalent. This split ensures that the EC100 lecturers cover A Level material in sufficient depth, while EC102 lecturers spend less time on A Level material so as to present a broader view of the topics to students. Neither course requires calculus or heavy use of maths.
Students are automatically assigned to either course depending on whether they have A Level Economics or equivalent; students are not able to choose which course to take themselves.
It is important to note that EC100 and EC102 are equally challenging, and that students will emerge from both courses with the same level of knowledge of core material in order to fully participate in any second year micro (EC201 or EC202) and macroeconomics (EC210) courses.
Economics Qualifications considered A Level equivalent:
- International Baccalaureate, either Higher Level or Standard Level
- Singapore Highers 2
- Cambridge Pre-U Certificate
- Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
- USA Advanced Placement, Micro + Macro
- University of London International Foundation Programme
- University of Warwick International Foundation Programme
- UCL International Preparatory Certificate
- NCEA Level 3 Economics
- HSC Economics (India), Year XI and Year XII (Central Board of Secondary Education)
- HSC Economics (India), Year XI and Year XII (Indian School Certificate Examinations)
- NUS High School Diploma
The following Economics qualifications are NOT considered A Level equivalent. They do not give the necessary theoretical foundations, especially in macroeconomics, and therefore students who have studied one of these qualifications will benefit from placement in EC100:
- Abitur
- French Baccalaureate
- Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher)
- Advanced Scottish Higher (SQA)
- European Baccalaureate
- AS Level Economics
- A Level Economics and Business (now known as Economics B (Edexcel))
- Independent Examinations Board, South Africa, Western Cape
- Victorian Certificate of Education
- New South Wales Higher School Certificate
- British Columbia Year 12 Economics
- All other qualifications not elsewhere specified
We are not able to assign students on the basis of independent study; assignment is done on qualifications awarded from courses or examinations we can assess in detail.
Recognising that the syllabi of Economics qualifications evolve, the Department will consider offering a one-hour examination during Welcome to students who feel strongly that they are misplaced by being assigned to EC100. We continue to underscore the excellence and full value of EC100, and also observe that such a re-assignment is at the student’s own risk.
If you are concerned about your assignment please contact Dr Judith Shapiro, our Departmental Tutor, in the first instance.