
Economics courses cover such topics as macro- and micro-economics, economic theory, how the economy works, how markets work, and financial affairs.
Business Studies courses include more specific topics, such as setting up a business, business operations, marketing, finance and tax, people in business, monitoring progress.
Economics and Business Studies courses aim to develop students' ability to investigate, and to select and apply their knowledge and understanding of concepts, and then to communicate in an effective way, using charts and diagrams as well as words.
Contact with local businesses will be a boon but these can be enhanced with visits to important institutions – like Parliament, the Bank of England, and the Stock Exchange. Often these institutions have museums, give guided tours and offer workshops. Contact their Education Departments for more information (contact details to be found in their respective SchoolTripsAdvisor listings).
Many schools encourage groups to attend local council meetings, political meetings, while some actually organise the visits to combine listening to speakers with behind-the-scenes experiences.
Main organisations:
Institute of Economic Affairs
PSHE Association (link is external)
Inclusion: NASEN (link is external)
Thought of visiting?
Houses of Parliament
Scottish Parliament
Welsh Assembly
Northern Ireland Assembly
The Stock Exchange
The Bank of England