Business Studies (A Level) - Subjects

Curriculum Leader

Mrs Lindsey Scott

Awarding Body

AQA

Entry Requirements

5 GCSEs passes at level 4 or above including Level 6 or above in English (Language/Literature) and Level 6 or above in Maths.

Why choose A-level Business Studies?

A level Business introduces students to the fundamental principles of all business, enabling them to assess for example why a company like Zara became a multinational success at a time when other clothes retailers like Jaeger and American Apparel were disappearing from the high street. Students will cover a wide range of business topics from leadership, finance, marketing, production, managing strategic change and many more. The subject is designed to engage students through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society.

What will I learn in Y12 and how will I be assessed?

In Y12 students will learn the following
What is business?
Managers, leadership and decision making
Decision making to improve marketing performance
Decision making to improve operational performance
Decision making to improve financial performance
Decision making to improve human resource performance

Exam: Paper 1 and Paper 2
What’s assessed: Unit 1 – 6
Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes • 80 marks in total • 50% of AS

What will I learn in Y13 and how will I be assessed?

In Y13 you will study
Analysing the strategic position of a business (A-level only)
Choosing strategic direction (A-level only)
Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies (A-level only)
Managing strategic change (A-level only)

Exam: Paper 1, Paper 2 and Paper 3
What’s assessed: Unit 1 – 10
Written exam: 2 hours • 100 marks in total • 33.3% of A-level

How will I learn?

You will learn through opportunities to:
• Discuss key concepts in pairs and groups
• Independently read around the topics
• Apply learning through case studies
• Work independently on written tasks
• Practice exam style questions
• Question visiting speaker

Many Business Studies students go on to study the subject at university. Others have chosen to specialise in key aspects of the course such as Accountancy and Finance, Human Resources Management, Marketing, Economics, international Business or other related fields.

Many different career paths are open to students of this subject including Business and International Management, Accountancy, Law, Retail Management and Banking.