A Level Business

A-level Business examines how firms make strategic decisions across key functional areas in order to achieve corporate objectives. Students will explore how firms adapt corporate strategies when analysing the competitive environment, social and ethical considerations, political and legal developments and technological innovation.

A-level Business demonstrates the inter-related nature of local and global corporate environments using models, theories and techniques. Evidence-based decision-making is analysed across the key functional areas of Human Resources, Marketing, Operations and Finance in Year 12, before moving on to wider strategic analysis in Year 13.

A-level Business students will be assessed on their ability to:

• demonstrate knowledge of core business theories and terminology and their application to both hypothetical and real-world business contexts
• analyse evidence in order to show understanding of short and long-term effects of corporate decision-making
• evaluate quantitative and qualitative data in order to make informed judgements weighing up potential risks and benefits of proposed solutions to business issues

Real-world case studies will be used wherever possible, in order to increase opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge and skills gained throughout the delivery of the course.

The course is assessed via three examinations, each carrying an equal weight of a third of the final grade. Each exam covers the entire course.

Paper 1: 2 hour written examination featuring multiple choice, short answer and essay responses

Paper 2: 2 hour written examination featuring 3 data response multi-part questions

Paper 3: 2 hour written examination featuring one case study followed by approximately 6 questions

The minimum requirement is 7 GCSE or equivalent passes at grades 9-4 in an appropriate range of subjects, including Maths at grade 5 or above and English Language at grade 4 or above.

The college will accept one BTEC at Merit level as one GCSE equivalent.

Subject Specific:
For Business we would normally recommend students to have achieved a GCSE grade 5 or above in Maths.

A-level Business complements a wide range of other advanced level subjects leading towards undergraduate study in a variety of fields. High quality apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships relevant to Business are also increasingly being offered as potential options beyond A-level studies.