Why study A Level Business?

This course focuses on a problem solving approach to business designed to help students understand the nature and working of business organisations. The aim is to encourage students to develop a critical understanding of different businesses, the context in which they operate, the markets they serve, and ultimately recommend actions that businesses should take to be successful. Much of the learning is based around business case studies and focusing on how students can use their business knowledge to determine the success of a business.

How will I be assessed?

This is course examined by three separate exam papers each two hours long.

Unit 1 consists of multiple choice questions and longer written answers based around an unseen case study of a ‘small’ business.

Unit 2 consists of short response questions and longer written answers based around an unseen case study of a UK ‘national’ business.

Unit 3 is based around the case study of a ‘global’ business and includes both data response questions as well as longer written answers.

All exams are sat at the end of Year 13.

Prerequisites

Business at GCSE is not a requirement to study Business at A Level. However, if you have studied Business at GCSE, a minimum of a Grade 5 must have been achieved. In addition, a minimum of a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics at GCSE is also required.

What skills will I gain from studying Business?

Students will develop a broad understanding of the range of activities businesses undertake to compete and be successful in the local, national and global economy. In addition, students will learn to analyse various business scenarios, identify the key issues facing different businesses and make recommendations as to what approach the business should take to achieve its objectives.

Where can Business lead?

Students completing A Level Business go on to study a range of subjects at university (currently over 80% of students that study Business, Economics or Accounting at King Edward VI go on to follow a business related course at university) or go directly into employment. Business A Level can lead directly on to a Business degree course and in addition it is common for entry onto university subjects such as Accountancy, Law, Management, Economics and International Finance. Alternatively, A Level Business will give students a good grounding and the relevant skills essential for the successful transition into the world of work.

Additional Comment

The Business Department has a consistent record of outstanding achievement across all three A Level subjects (ie Accounting, Business and Economics), which is based on the combination of excellent teaching, engagement in the subject and hard work and commitment from both teachers and students.

What will I study?

Topics at A Level will include

• Business Ownership
• The Functions of Business including Finance, Marketing, People and Operations Management
• Business Finances
• Business Objectives and Strategy

• Managing Change
• Business Investment Decisions
• Business and International Trade
• External Influences on Business

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