Why Study Economics? Perspectives from 16–19-Year-Old Students

In England and Wales, 16–19-year-old students are given considerable subject choice. Many follow Advanced (or A) level courses in three or four subjects and economics is a popular option. Within a wider study of A level teaching and learning, subject choice was explored. Two questions were considered: (1) Why do students choose to study A level Economics? (2) What skills and knowledge do students expect to gain which will help them when at university or in a job/career? Questionnaires were sent to 16–19-year-old students in a representative sample of 100 schools and colleges following a popular A level Economics course. Eighteen schools and colleges responded, returning 228 questionnaires. Additionally, four students were interviewed in-depth about their experiences. Quantitative analysis revealed that a large majority of students chose A level Economics because they thought they would enjoy it. At least half of the students believed they could gain an understanding of national and international economics which would help them subsequently. Only 15% identified more generic skills, such as decision making, as being of value later in life. The findings offer a useful overview of students' motivations for studying economics in England and Wales.