How much do your A-Levels/GCSEs affect getting a placement? Do people who currently do/have done economics have a higher chance?

Having better grades is definitely helpful in securing placements however it is not the be all, end all. The grades are almost like a foundation, if the grades are weaker or less relevant to your desired field you may need to do more to comapensate. For example, taking some courses online or virtual work experiences/ insight days. This shows a genuine interest and desire to learn which can't be taught. In the case of economics, I think it will give you a higher chance so long as you also take the other steps to making yourself a strong [link removed] to cut a long story short, I would say that your A-levels and GCSE'S have an effect on your chances of getting a placement but there are also other important factors. These include the amount of applications you've made, amount of relevant experience/ knowledge and the overall strength of your CV and cover letter in relation to the job spec.