A Level Business

A-level Business introduces you to all you need to know about working in business and/or providing a solid foundation for further study. With a focus on helping you to become a good decision maker, you’ll learn essential managerial skills, alongside techniques to help you become an analytical problem solver. These skills are all highly sought after and valued in a wide range of careers. We closely follow the news and use real-life business examples to give relevant context and aid student understanding of how businesses behave and what informs their decision making.

Course Information

A level Business 7132 AQA – https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business/as-and-a-level/business-7131-7132

Topics

Year one – What is business, decision making in business, functional areas of business including marketing, human resources, operations and finance.

Year 2 – Analysing strategic position, strategic direction, strategic methods and managing strategic change.

Assessment

A-level assessment consists of three x 2 hour written exams taken at the end of the two year course. Each exam will be worth a third of the A-level. All three papers will draw on material from the whole course, and will feature a range of question styles including multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essay questions, data response questions and case studies.

 

Trips

In March 2019, a group of A level Business and Economics students ventured to Brussels for a three day visit to explore the culture, business and financial sectors at the centre of the European Union. One of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities and home to both the EU and NATO, Brussels also has a wealth of international trade and financial institutions. During our stay we visited the Coca Cola Education and Distribution Centre, Stella Artois, Grand Place, National Bank of Belgium Museum and Concept Chocolaterie; one of the finest producers of Belgian chocolates in the country!  Students thoroughly enjoyed the trip and the opportunity to apply business and economic theory learned in the classroom, to reality.  This is a trip we hope to offer again in the future, once Covid-restrictions have lifted.

Student views

‘Business is easy to understand as it’s all around us and all links together’

‘It’s interesting as we get to look at businesses in the news and explore issues and decisions made by real life firms’

‘There is a lot to learn but it’s help by the fact we need to not just learn facts but apply them to different business scenarios.

Progression information

If you’d like to study business, finance or management at university or in an apprenticeship, A-level Business provides an excellent foundation. The skills you learn are transferable across a broad range of subjects and careers. Whatever you choose to do in the future, you’ll find that the things you learn in this course will help. For example, you’ll probably work with lots of different people, so knowledge of motivational theory will help you to work well with others and help them achieve their potential. You might have ambitious plans to start your own business. If that’s the case, you’ll find the marketing and finance topics particularly useful.

Person Specification

  • Ability to retain information such as the many management and leadership theories included in the course content
  • Ability to apply theory learned to ‘real-life’ business situations
  • Act as a business consultant who can give specific advice and guidance to business’ as to how they should make decisions/adopt their strategy
  • Use basic mathematical calculations (percentage change, use of index numbers) to manipulate and make use of data
  • Use financial figures to calculate profitability, liquidity, gearing and efficiency of business’
  • Ability to work both independently and as a team
  • Have an avid interest in following the world of business in the news
  • Literacy skills from which to build on and refine written skills of analysis, application and evaluation

Entry requirements

Previous study of GCSE Business or Economics is not essential however it is essential to have GCSE English Language (4 or above) and GCSE Maths (4 or above).

 

Business is a very popular option at A level and provides students with essential knowledge and skills that will prepare them for apprenticeships, further education and/or the work place.

If you would like further information on any aspect of AS or A level Business Studies, please contact Mrs Birch, Head of Department.