A Level Business Studies

You are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. Breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, with applications to a wider range of contexts and more complex business information, are developed in Themes 3 and 4, requiring you to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues. You will need to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of business, to understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives and to challenge assumptions.

Aims:

• Develop an enthusiasm for studying business
• gain a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts
• develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants
• understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives

The Edexcel A Level Business course is structured into four themes and consists of three externally examined papers.

The course content is divided into 4 themes

Theme 1: Marketing and people

Theme 2: Managing business activities

Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy

Theme 4: Global business

Assessment consists of 3 externally set exams which are externally assessed.

Paper 1: Marketing, people and global businesses - 35% of the total qualification

Written examination.

The paper comprises two sections.

Students answer all questions from both sections.

Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question.

Duration: 2 hours.

100 marks available.

Paper 2: Business activities, decisions and strategy - 35% of the total qualification

Written examination.

The paper comprises two sections.

Students answer all questions from both sections.

Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question.

Duration: 2 hours.

100 marks available.

Paper 3: Investigating business in a competitive environment - 30% of the total qualification

Written examination.

The paper comprises two sections.

Students answer all questions from both sections.

Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question.

Duration: 2 hours.

100 marks available.

GCSE Business Studies minimum Grade 4 and Maths and English at Grade 4

Or

Maths and English minimum Grade 5

This qualification will provide you with the skills, knowledge and understanding to progress into Higher Education on a business related programme such as Business, Business Management, Marketing, Business and Finance, Business and Economics and Accounting at degree level.

Business careers are available in every sector of business you can think of. All industries need managers and good leaders but this course can also open up roles in advertising, marketing, banking and roles in human resources or consultancy work. It will also provide you with the knowledge and skillset to set up your own business.