What does the Higher Economics assignment ask you to do, and how is it marked?
The Higher Economics assignment: an independent research report on a current economic topic, applying economic theory to evidence, reaching a conclusion, and how it is assessed.
An SQA Higher Economics overview of the assignment, the coursework component in which a candidate researches a current economic topic, applies relevant economic theory to gathered evidence, analyses it and reaches a conclusion in a report, plus how the assignment is structured and assessed.
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What this component is
The assignment is the coursework part of Higher Economics, set and marked by the SQA. It is an independent research report in which you choose a current economic topic, gather and reference evidence, apply relevant economic theory, analyse the evidence and reach a conclusion. It is produced under the SQA's conditions of assessment and contributes to the overall graded award alongside the question paper. This page is a single overview of the assignment; the detail of what to do is in the marked stages below.
What the assignment asks you to do
The topic can come from any area of the course. Good choices are specific and current, for example the effect of a change in interest rates, a new tax or subsidy, a tariff, or a labour-market policy, because a narrow aim is easier to evidence, analyse and conclude than a broad theme.
How it is assessed
The assignment is marked on the whole report, rewarding each stage of the process: a focused topic and aim; relevant, well-referenced evidence; accurate application of economic theory; genuine analysis (using data, comparison and reasoning); and a supported conclusion that answers the aim. Clear structure and presentation matter throughout. The assignment assesses the same research, analysis and judgement skills examined in the question paper, but in depth and on a topic of your choosing, and it is completed under the SQA's conditions of assessment.
Worked example: planning an assignment
Why the assignment matters
The assignment is your chance to apply the whole course to a real issue and to show the research, analysis and judgement that universities and employers value. Because it is marked on the quality of your economic reasoning, not on memorising a model answer, it rewards genuine understanding of the concepts from all three areas of the course, the same skills the question paper tests under exam conditions.
Try this
Q1. State two things the assignment rewards in the use of evidence. [2 marks]
- Cue. Any two of: gathering relevant evidence from a range of reliable sources; referencing the sources accurately; using the evidence to support analysis and the conclusion rather than just describing it.
Q2. Explain why a narrow, current topic is a better choice than a broad theme for the assignment. [2 marks]
- Cue. A narrow, current topic (one policy, market or event) can be researched in depth, evidenced precisely and concluded clearly, whereas a broad theme is hard to evidence fully and tends to produce description rather than focused analysis.
Exam-style practice questions
Practice questions written in the style of SQA exam questions on this dot point, with worked answer explainers. The year tag is the paper they imitate, not the source.
SQA Higher (assignment)10 marksWhat does the assignment reward in the way it presents and uses evidence?Show worked answer →
The assignment is marked on the whole report, not on a single exam answer, so think in terms of the marked stages.
Choosing and researching a topic. Marks reward a clearly focused current economic topic with a precise aim or question, and the gathering of relevant evidence from a range of reliable sources (statistics, reports, articles), correctly referenced.
Applying theory and analysing. Marks reward applying the relevant economic theory from the course (for example demand and supply, elasticity, government policy or trade) to the evidence, and analysing it, explaining what the data show, comparing viewpoints and using economic reasoning rather than just describing.
Concluding. Marks reward a clear conclusion that answers the aim and is supported by the evidence and analysis, showing economic judgement. Presenting the report logically, with appropriate data and references, earns the remaining marks.
SQA Higher (assignment)10 marksHow should a candidate choose a suitable topic and structure the report?Show worked answer →
Treat this as guidance on planning the assignment to maximise the marks.
Choosing the topic. Pick a current, real economic issue narrow enough to research in depth (for example the effect of an interest rate change, a tax, a tariff, or a labour market policy). A focused aim or question is easier to evidence and conclude than a broad theme.
Structuring the report. A strong report states the aim, presents and references the evidence gathered, applies the relevant economic theory to that evidence, analyses it (with data, comparison and reasoning), and ends with a conclusion that directly answers the aim. Clear structure, relevant data and accurate referencing throughout are what the markers reward, alongside genuine economic analysis rather than description.
Related dot points
- Economic skills and decision making: interpreting and processing economic data, applying theory to evidence, making reasoned economic judgements, and answering the question paper's command words.
An SQA Higher Economics guide to the analytical skills examined in the question paper: interpreting and processing economic data (percentages, index numbers, graphs), applying economic theory to evidence, making and justifying economic decisions, and answering command words such as describe, explain, analyse and evaluate.
- Government policies: fiscal policy, monetary policy and supply-side policy, how each works to influence the macroeconomic aims, and their limitations.
An SQA Higher Economics answer on government policies, covering fiscal policy (taxation and spending), monetary policy (interest rates and the money supply, set by the Bank of England), and supply-side policy (raising productive capacity), how each affects the macroeconomic aims, and the limitations of each.
- Understanding global trade: the reasons countries trade and the gains from specialisation and comparative advantage, free trade versus protectionism, and the methods and effects of protection.
An SQA Higher Economics answer on global trade, covering why countries trade, the gains from specialisation and comparative advantage, the case for free trade and globalisation, the arguments for protectionism, and the methods of protection (tariffs, quotas and subsidies) with their effects.
- Market failure and intervention: the causes of market failure (externalities, public goods, merit and demerit goods, monopoly power, information failure) and the ways government intervenes to correct it.
An SQA Higher Economics answer on market failure and intervention, covering negative and positive externalities, public goods, merit and demerit goods, monopoly power and information failure, and the government responses of taxes, subsidies, regulation, provision and information campaigns, with their limitations.
Sources & how we know this
- Higher Economics Course Specification and Coursework Assessment Task — SQA (Qualifications Scotland) (2024)