A-level Business Apply now

Year 1

Theme 1:

Students will develop an understanding of:

• meeting customer needs
• the market
• marketing mix and strategy
• managing people
• entrepreneurs and leaders

Theme 2:

Students will develop an understanding of:

• raising finance
• financial planning
• managing finance
• resource management
• external influences

Year 2

Theme 3:

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2. Students will develop an understanding of:

• business objectives and strategy
• business growth
• decision-making techniques
• influences on business decisions
• assessing competitiveness
• managing change

Theme 4:

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1. Students will develop an understanding of:

• globalisation
• global markets and business expansion
• global marketing
• global industries and companies (multinational corporations)

Teachers adopt an active approach to learning, with students being encouraged to take part in group work, presentations, class discussion and independent research. The course requires students to be able to carry out a number of different types of calculations and students will be required to complete calculation workbooks outside class.

Method of Assessment

The course is wholly exam-based over the two years and there is no coursework.

Qualification

This course leads to an A-level qualification.

Course Combinations

It is not advisable to take both Business and Economics A-levels together, as some universities consider them to be too similar in content to be accepted as two separate subjects.

Teachers use a variety of resources including handouts, online textbooks, newspaper articles, YouTube clips and websites.

The course provides a sound basis for students wishing to go into higher education or into a career in the business environment. Past students have gone on to degree studies in business management, banking, insurance, accountancy, marketing and human resource management.

During the course, students may be charged for printing. All residential and day trips will require students to pay should they wish to participate.

Bursary funding is available.

There will be an opportunity for students to attend an overseas residential trip to find out how business works in practise. Previous visits have included New York, Disneyland Paris, Cadbury World in Birmingham, Fullers Brewery in London and Harry Potter World.