Economics - Ordinary

Leaving Cert Economics is concerned with understanding the workings of a modern economy from both a Macro and Micro level. The course looks at how we get our incomes, how we use them, the supply of resources and the production and exchange of goods and services. 

Higher Level Course Content:

• 1.1 Economic Concepts
• 1.2 Sustainability
• 2.1 The Market Economy
• 2.2 Elasticity
• 2.3 Costs of Production, Revenue + Profit
• 2.4 Government Intervention
• 3.1 Market Structures
• 3.2 The Labour Market
• 3.3 Market Failure
• 4.1 National Income
• 4.2 Fiscal Policy and the Budget Framework
• 4.3 Employment
• 4.4 Monetary Policy and Price Level
• 4.5 The Financial Sector
• 5.1 Economic Growth and Development
• 5.2 Globalisation
• 5.3 International Trade and Competitiveness
• 6.1 Topical Questions and Statistics
• Research 

Ordinary Level Course Content:

• 1.1 Economics as a way of thinking
• 1.2 The Economic Concepts of Scarcity and Choice
• 1.3 Sustainability
• 2.1 The Market Economy
• 2.2 Elasticity
• 2.3 Costs of Production, Revenue and Profit
• 2.4 Government Intervention
• 3.1 Market Structures
• 3.2 The Labour Market
• 3.3 Market Failure
• 4.1 National income
• 4.2 Fiscal Policy & the Budget Framework
• 4.3 Employment
• 4.4 Monetary Policy & the Price Level
• 4.5 The Financial Sector
• 5.1 Economic Growth & Development
• 5.2 Globalisation
• 5.3 International Trade & Competitiveness
• Acronyms
• Formulas
• Research Project

Assessment

Both Higher and Ordinary levels have two components:

• written examination (80%)
• research study (20%)

The Exam

Both levels have a two-and-a-half hour, one-paper exam. This paper consists of Sections A and B. Section A requires students to answer short answer questions. Section B is made up of long questions.

Research Study

This will be based on a brief released by the SEC, which will outline numerous topics from which students can pick one for their research study. This will be completed in 6th year. Students will research a particular economic issue and apply concepts and theories to make an informed conclusion.

Future Careers with Leaving Certificate Economics

Banking, Finance, Economist, Business, Accountant

Download the Economics Curriculum Specification

Download the Leaving Cert Economics Chief Examiner's Report (2013)