why more students than ever are choosing economics at kes
The latest national figures for 2026 confirm that Economics continues to be one of the fastest growing and most popular A Level subjects in England. This remarkable growth has propelled Economics into the top five most popular A Level subjects nationally for the first time.
Against this positive national backdrop, King Edward’s School has experienced particularly encouraging levels of interest in Economics. During our 2026 Year 10 Futures Day, the subject attracted significant engagement and enquiry from prospective pupils, reflecting a wider national trend towards greater awareness of Economics as a valuable, relevant and intellectually stimulating discipline.
Furthermore, Sixth Form recruitment over the past three years has reached levels that Mr Butterworth, Head of Economics, has not previously seen during his fifteen-year tenure as Head of Department. Pupil interest remains strong across a broad range of academic pathways, with Economics proving attractive not only to those pursuing STEM-related programmes but also to students whose interests lie in the humanities and social sciences.
One particularly encouraging trend at King Edward’s has been our success in attracting female students to the subject. Nationally, fewer than 30% of A Level Economics entries are from girls, a figure that has remained stubbornly low for many years. However, KES has outpaced these statistics in the recent cohort, placing us above the national average. This reflects the department’s ongoing commitment to presenting Economics as an inclusive and accessible discipline for all pupils. The subject offers powerful insights into many of the most pressing challenges facing the world today while equipping young people with the analytical tools needed to evaluate policy choices and develop solutions that can have a meaningful social impact.
As a department, we remain committed to maintaining and improving this balance. We actively promote Economics as a subject that welcomes diverse perspectives and interests. While many pupils combine Economics with Mathematics, Further Mathematics and the sciences, an increasing number also study it alongside subjects such as History, Politics, Geography and English. For these pupils, Economics serves as an ideal bridge between academic disciplines, connecting the social sciences with real-world decision-making and providing insight into areas such as public policy, development economics, environmental economics, behavioural economics and international relations.
Beyond the classroom, pupils benefit from a vast programme of enrichment opportunities that deepen their understanding of economics and expose them to leading academic and professional perspectives. The department regularly participates in events including the Bristol Festival of Economics, visits and outreach activities with the University of Warwick, the highly regarded Economics in Action lecture series, and the Tutor2U A-Level Grade Booster Conference. These experiences allow pupils to engage with contemporary economic debates, hear from leading economists, policymakers and academics, and gain a broader appreciation of how economic theory is applied to real-world issues.
The strength and breadth of our provision are reflected in the destinations secured by our students. In recent years, pupils have progressed to Economics and related degree programmes at universities including Exeter, Leeds, the London School of Economics (LSE), Warwick and York, alongside a range of other highly regarded institutions.
Pupils who choose A Level Economics at King Edward’s benefit from a remarkably diverse range of university and career pathways. While many progress to study Economics itself, developing advanced analytical, quantitative and policy evaluation skills, the subject is equally valued as preparation for a wide variety of interdisciplinary degrees. Increasing numbers of pupils go on to study courses such as Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), Politics and Economics, International Relations, Geography with Economics and Business Economics. These degrees are particularly attractive to students whose strengths and interests lie within the humanities and social sciences, combining economic analysis with political decision-making, ethical debate and the study of contemporary global challenges.
Economics therefore occupies a unique position within the Sixth Form curriculum. It provides the analytical rigour sought by universities and employers while encouraging pupils to engage with some of the most important issues facing society, from inequality and environmental sustainability to public policy, economic development and international relations.
The continued national growth of Economics demonstrates that young people are increasingly seeking to understand the economic forces shaping their lives, societies and futures. At KES, we are proud to be part of this success story. Strong recruitment, sustained student enthusiasm, a vibrant programme of enrichment, excellent university destinations and above-average female participation place the department in a strong position as we continue to develop Economics as a dynamic, challenging and inclusive subject for the next generation of pupils.
Mr Butterworth, Head of Economics and Business Studies
