Think like an economist.
Write with conviction.
For ambitious students interested in economics, PPE and public policy. Turn a real-world question into a clear, evidence-led argument.
Aim higher. Go deeper. Make your work count.
An ambitious writing target
An opportunity to practise the analytical thinking at the heart of economics: models, evidence, trade-offs and judgement.
What is Marshall Society?
Run by Cambridge’s Marshall Society, the economics essay competition challenges pre-university students to connect theory with the world around them.
Go beyond a confident opinion. Explain the mechanism, check the data and weigh what a policy gains—and what it gives up.
Explore the official competition ↗Two formats. Real teacher support.
Learn at your own pace with personal feedback and accountability, or let a teacher guide you through the entire programme.
20 weeks. Four clear milestones.
Choose a stage to explore its lessons, or view the entire course. The syllabus shows the full teacher-led pathway; supported self-paced includes three one-to-one reviews at the outline, first draft and final draft.
| Lesson | What you learn | Student deliverable · what you complete |
|---|---|---|
| STAGE 1Economic foundations5 lessons · Concept portfolio & commentary | ||
| 01 | Thinking Like an EconomistDiagnose subject knowledge and distinguish explanation, empirical claims and policy judgements. | 300-word diagnostic and personal concept map |
| 02 | Incentives, Markets & WelfareApply opportunity cost, marginal reasoning, market failures and distributional trade-offs. | Two mechanism explanations and an annotated diagram |
| 03 | Macroeconomic Shocks & PolicyTrace inflation, output and employment effects; compare monetary and fiscal responses. | A policy transmission map with stated assumptions |
| 04 | Using Models Without OverclaimingExplain what a model predicts, what it assumes and when it may fail. | Model-assumption table and a real-world application |
| 05 | Reading and Writing Economic CommentaryAnalyse strong essays and turn a current issue into a focused economic explanation. | 400-word commentary and Stage 1 progress report |
| STAGE 2Models & evidence5 lessons · Research brief & evidence plan | ||
| 06 | Selecting the Competition QuestionCompare official prompts for theory fit, data access and manageable scope. | Question comparison and a provisional or confirmed choice |
| 07 | Choosing the Analytical FrameworkSelect the mechanisms, welfare criteria and short- versus long-run distinctions that matter. | Model plan and outline of causal mechanisms |
| 08 | Finding and Checking Economic EvidenceUse official statistics and credible studies; record units, periods, definitions and limitations. | Source register and a labelled data/evidence workbook |
| 09 | Causation, Comparison & CounterfactualsAssess whether evidence supports the claimed mechanism; examine rival explanations. | Evidence-quality audit and counterfactual comparison |
| 10 | Research Brief & Essay DesignState the answer, choose the strongest evidence and allocate a compact word budget. | 500-word brief, detailed outline and Stage 2 reportSELF-PACED 1:1 · OUTLINE |
| STAGE 3Analysis & first draft5 lessons · Complete economics draft | ||
| 11 | Drafting the Theoretical ArgumentExplain a relevant mechanism precisely and connect assumptions to predictions. | Theory section with cited support |
| 12 | Integrating Empirical EvidenceInterpret data or cases and explain how strongly they support the argument. | Evidence section with calculations and source notes |
| 13 | Evaluating Trade-offs and AlternativesCompare affected groups, time horizons, institutions and competing policy options. | Evaluation section and conditional judgement |
| 14 | Completing the First Economics DraftIntegrate theory, evidence and evaluation; answer the chosen question directly. | Complete first draft, references and word-count recordSELF-PACED 1:1 · FIRST DRAFT |
| 15 | Full Review I: Economic LogicIdentify faulty mechanisms, unsupported jumps and sections that do not advance the answer. | Written review, revision plan and Stage 3 reportLIVE ZOOM · WRITTEN FULL REVIEW |
| STAGE 4Test & refine5 lessons · Final essay & evidence audit | ||
| 16 | Testing Evidence and AssumptionsRecheck data, test alternative explanations and identify conclusions sensitive to assumptions. | Verified evidence workbook and rewritten weak sections |
| 17 | Full Review II: Depth and JudgementStrengthen the independent insight and calibrate conclusions to the evidence. | Second written review and revised full manuscriptLIVE ZOOM · WRITTEN FULL REVIEW |
| 18 | Writing Concisely Within the LimitCut background and repetition; improve analytical density and English precision. | Student-edited essay and final word-budget sheet |
| 19 | Full Review III: Accuracy and AttributionAudit numbers, sources, bibliography, format and all required assistance declarations. | Third written review and submission candidateLIVE ZOOM · WRITTEN FULL REVIEW |
| 20 | Final Defence & Submission PreparationExplain the model and evidence; check eligibility, exclusivity, file and submission form. | Final essay, submission pack and Stage 4 reportSELF-PACED 1:1 · FINAL DRAFT |
Every lesson ends with work you can show. Complete the task and reading summary. Get a progress report at each stage.
Choose your support →Why prepare with ACE Achievers?
Learn to read critically, ask sharper questions and explain a defensible argument.
Four stages, four concrete outputs. See what you need to finish before taking the next step.
Lesson tasks and reading summaries are checked, with personal feedback at the key moments.
Build skills in a deliberate sequence, from evaluating a source to producing a sustained piece of scholarship.
Start from November 2026
Choose the rhythm that works for you. Keep the same ambitious target.
| Your course | When & how | Teacher support | Course fee | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supported self-paced20 online lessons | Study at your paceAccess arrangements confirmed at enrolment | 3 one-to-one reviewsPlus lesson-task and reading-summary checks | A$798 | Choose self-paced |
| Teacher-led Zoom4 students per group | November 2026 intake20 × 90 minutes · 20 weeks | Guidance throughoutLive teaching, discussion and manuscript feedback | A$1,998 | Join November |
Zoom session dates, times and time zone will be confirmed with your group. Independent study: 5–7 hours a week; 7–9 for evidence checks and draft revision.
The supplied 2026 framework uses a 1,500-word limit, excluding bibliography and data tables. Other text, including footnotes, counts. Prepare an original PDF answering one official question.
Keep an assistance record. The 2026 baseline requires an exclusive Marshall entry: do not enter the same essay in another competition. Check the new rules before submission.
The 2026 competition has concluded. 2027 questions and deadlines are not yet announced. Start with economic foundations; align the final essay with the next official cycle.
Official rules & entry information ↗Information checked 5 October 2026. Use the new cycle’s confirmed rules for your final entry.
Before you begin
20 lessons, guided reading, human checks of lesson tasks and reading summaries, and three one-to-one teacher feedback sessions at the outline, first draft and final draft. A$798.
Four students, 20 weekly sessions of 90 minutes, teacher guidance throughout, three written full-work reviews and four stage progress reports. A$1,998. Starts from November 2026; exact group dates and times are confirmed before payment.
A concise economics essay, evidence workbook, research dossier and checked submission pack.
5–7 hours a week; 7–9 for evidence checks and draft revision.
The 2026 competition has concluded. 2027 questions and deadlines are not yet announced. Start with economic foundations; align the final essay with the next official cycle.
Keep an assistance record. The 2026 baseline requires an exclusive Marshall entry: do not enter the same essay in another competition. Check the new rules before submission.
We discuss readiness and confirm the teaching arrangements before payment. Course fees cover ACE teaching and support. Any organiser charges are separate. Awards and university admission decisions remain with the relevant institutions.
A bigger goal starts here
Choose your course. Bring your curiosity.
Start building work you can be proud of.
Request enrolment now. We’ll confirm arrangements before payment.
ACE Achievers is an independent education provider. Students complete their own research and writing. Organiser names and imagery identify the competition. ACE Achievers is not affiliated with or endorsed by the organiser.
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