Business
Why study A-level Business?
This course takes a holistic approach to the subject of business. It demonstrates the interrelated nature of business using business models, theories and techniques to support analysis of contemporary business issues and situations. This study will allow you to live, work or undertake further study with a better understanding of today’s fast moving competitive world. You will be engaged through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society – they will study key contemporary developments such as digital technology, impact of business on the environment, business ethics, modern workplace practices and globalisation is covered throughout the topics
- Qualification
- A-level
- Course length
- Two years
- Exam board
- AQA
- Assessment
- Three exams
Course introduction
- Course Title
Business
- Examination Board
AQA
- Linear Qualification?
Yes
- Course Webpage
- Specification.pdf
Entry requirements
Grade 5 in English
language or English literature and a Grade 5 in mathematics. Grade 5 in
business studies if studied at GCSE level.
Course content
AQA Business is a linear course with three terminal examinations at the end of the two year A-level course.
The specification has divided the course content into three foci, which are each examined by a 2 hour paper at the end of the course.
Year 12:
Focus 1: What is business, managing marketing and finance
- Business and objective
- Forms of business and stakeholders
- Marketing management
- Financial management
Focus 2: Managing operations and people
- Operations management
- People management
- Managing business culture
Year 13: Focus 3: Business and society, business and the external environment, and business strategy
- Business and society
- Business and the external environment
- Strategy
- Change
Assessment
The course is examined with 3 papers each 33% of A-level (90 marks)
Each paper will be made up of 2 case studies with real world context and issues. Each case study will be followed by 5 questions.(45 marks for each case study). 270 marks in total across the 3 papers.
The questions will be made up of a mix of short-answer questions, calculations and questions requiring extended writing which draw from a number of issues and topics from the focus.
Aims
It is our aim that students studying A-level business will
- develop an enthusiasm for studying business
- gain 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
- generate enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems and issues
- be aware of the environmental and ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals
- acquire a range of relevant business and generic skills, including decision-making, problem-solving, the challenging of assumptions and critical analysis
- apply numerical skills in a range of business contexts.
Future pathways
This A-Level will get you started in business… and give you the skills and knowledge to progress to higher education. You could work for a corporation - we are proud of our business alumni now in graduate roles with companies such as Fujitsu, Morgan Stanley, GlaxoSmith Kline, Bentley and Amazon or maybe a management consultancy such as Ernst and Young. All businesses (and other organisations like charities and hospitals) need sound business skills behind them. Students who take Business often also study Computing, Economics, Modern Languages, or Maths. But students committed to the arts or sciences should also consider business in this cost-centred world.
Contact the subject team
Ask questions about the course and discuss your choices with us.
Mrs G Buckley: gbuckley@wilmslowhigh.com