A Level Business

The A Level Business course covers a wide range of topics, from accounting and finance to marketing and operations management. By studying these areas in depth, you’ll develop a comprehensive understanding of how businesses operate.

This knowledge will be useful whether you’re planning to start your own business, work in a business-related field, or simply want to be more informed about the world around you.

Overall, studying A Level Business can be an excellent way to develop your skills, expand your knowledge, and prepare for your future career.

What skills will I gain?

The A-Level Business course equips students with a wide range of transferable skills applicable in various fields beyond business. These skills include analytical thinking, problem-solving, effective communication, and critical evaluation. Specifically, the course develops skills in data interpretation, decision-making, and understanding business environments.
Throughout the course of study, students will also develop competence in the quantitative skills. There are opportunities for students to develop these skills throughout the content and students are required to apply these skills to relevant business contexts.

What will I learn?

You will explore four themes across the two years:

Year 12

• Theme 1: Marketing and people
• Theme 2: Managing business activities
  

Year 13

• Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy
• Theme 4: Global business

Business is a dynamic subject. You will learn about the diverse nature of business enterprise and the interdependence of the various parts of the business world. You will explore business success and business failure, investigate local, national and global business markets, and understand how businesses need to adapt and respond strategically to the changing environment in which they operate to survive and grow. This constant evolutionary process makes business a fascinating subject. In Theme 1 and Theme 2 you will learn about how businesses work.

You will be introduced to the marketing and people functions before investigating entrepreneurs and business start-ups. You will also explore how business finance and operations work and understand the impact of external influences. Theme 3 and Theme 4 move from functions to strategy. You will explore influences on business strategy and decision-making and understand how businesses mitigate risk and uncertainty. You will also explore global business and the opportunities and issues facing businesses in today’s global world.

What can I do after I have completed the course?

Suitable higher education courses include business management, accountancy and finance, marketing, tourism management and international business. Business students can also progress to a wide range of careers, such as banking, sales, product management and general management, to working in public sector organisations or charities.

Entry requirements

We teach the course with the assumption that you have not studied any business before. A good standard of literacy and numeracy are essential, and we require a minimum of a 7 grade in GCSE English Language and a 7 in Maths.

Reading around the subject is highly recommended for A Level Business, especially if you want to achieve high grades and gain a real understanding of how businesses operate in the real world. While the course content itself provides a strong foundation, going beyond the textbook helps you apply theory more effectively, deepen your insights, and stay informed about current trends and developments in the business world.

The business world is constantly evolving, and topics such as inflation, interest rates, sustainability, and technological change often appear in exams. Reading the news and following industry trends helps you give more current and insightful answers, making your writing stand out.

Examination board: Edexcel

Mr Munir
Head of Department