Business Studies

• Course Overview
• Assessment & Examination
• Resources
• Prior Knowledge
• Beyond The Course
• Entry Requirements

Course Overview

In studying A Level Business, you will explore a variety of contexts to better understand the purpose of business, its different forms and the factors that influence their activities. In year one, you will study different types of management and leadership styles and look at how good decision-making can improve performance in the four main functional areas of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. In year two, you begin to look at the strategic management of businesses, analyse their strategic position, and evaluate their strategic direction before exploring strategies for pursuing business objectives.

The topics lend themselves to studying and engaging with the business world and the specification and assessment encourages you to follow business developments and think critically about contemporary business issues.

Assessment & Examination

Entry Requirements: You will sit three 2 hour examinations at the end of your two years of study, each being worth 100 marks, 33% of the A Level.

Paper 1 - a synoptic paper with no case study material. Contains 15 multiple choice questions, 35 marks worth of short quantitative and qualitative questions and two essay questions worth 25 marks.

Paper 2 - a synoptic paper with three short case studies each followed by a series of general and contextualised questions ranging from calculations to essays.

Paper 3 - a synoptic paper with one large case study followed by a series of contextualised questions.

Resources

You will only need basic stationery and a non-scientific calculator. There are, however, a number of academic text books which are recommended reading, and we would encourage you to purchase copies.

Prior Knowledge

There is no expectation that you have any prior knowledge of business studies. It is preferable, however, that you are already active in engaging with contemporary business and economic news stories, across a wide range of media sources.

Beyond The Course

The reformed A Level in Business Studies is well respected as a strong foundation for careers in a wide range of business and management roles. It is also useful for students who might wish to run their own business in the future.

The qualification will help you to access university courses in a wide range of disciplines, including accountancy, economics, business management and marketing.

Entry Requirements

GCSE Level 6 in either Business Studies, Economics, Geography or History.

Entry to Sixth Form also requires:

• GCSE Level 5 in English Language or English Literature;
• GCSE Level 5 in Maths;
• Four other GCSEs at Level 5, in addition to English and Maths.