This subject covers a wide range of business areas. The focus is on the following topics: marketing, accountancy and finance, people, operations management, and external influences.

Factsheet

Who is This Course For?

This course is suitable for school leavers as well as those returning to study after a break. It is suitable for those who wish to build on what they studied at GCSE, though GCSE Business is not a prerequisite. It provides a foundation for further study in business or related areas at university, and is also useful for students intending to pursue careers in any areas of business.

Entry Requirements

You should have a minimum of 5 appropriate GCSEs at grades A*-C, including English Language at grade B or higher.  If you have a grade C in English you will be asked to sit an entrance test to confirm you are suitable for the course. A GCSE in your home or first language, other than English, cannot be counted as one of the 5 qualifying GCSEs.

About the course

The A Level programme includes weekly group tutorials and regular one-to-one tutorials with your personal tutor. All students will have functional skills sessions or critical thinking sessions.

You will develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value, the internal workings and management of organisations, and the process of decision-making in a dynamic external environment. You will also be encouraged to develop and awareness of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, and social issues associated with business activity.

AS Units Edexcel 8BS01 

• Unit 1 - Marketing, accounting, and finance. The processes of identifying, targeting, and satisfying customers; marketing objectives, strategy and tactics. Use of accounting and financial information as an aid to decision making and financial control.
• Unit 2 - People in organisations and operations management. The significance of various management and organisational structures; opportunities and constraints in relation to people in organisations created by the business’s legal environment. How organisations use inputs and manage business processes to satisfy customers.
• Unit 3 - External influences, objectives and strategy. How business provides opportunities and imposes constraints on the pursuit of short-term and long-term objectives. A2 Units

A2 Units Edexcel 9BS01

• Unit 4 - Marketing and accountancy, finance and people operations management. Objectives, strategy, and the need for data upon which to base decisions; strategic tactics enabling businesses to adapt to changing market opportunities. Cash flow, gearing, liquidity, and how profit is affected by external factors.
• Unit 5 - People and operations management. Theories of communication, employer/ employee relations, and human resource management. Use of operations management tools to enhance decision-making, improve efficiency and quality.
• Unit 6 - External influences, objectives and strategy. External business influences which affect decision making and the ability of organisations to meet their objectives.

How will I be assessed?

There is no coursework requirement for this syllabus. Units are externally examined as follows:

• Unit 1: Two stimulus-response questions lasting 1¼ hours, 30% of AS grade.
• Unit 2: Two stimulus-response questions lasting 1¼ hours, 30% of AS grade.
• Unit 3: Case study lasting 1½ hours, 40% of AS grade.
• Unit 4: Decision-making case study, 15% of total A Level grade.
• Unit 5: Coursework selected from given list, 3000 words, 15% of total A Level grade.
• Unit 6: Case study, 20% of total A Level grade.

Where next?

Most of our A Level students apply to and are offered places at university.

How to apply?

You cannot apply online for this individual A Level course. To apply, please go to the A Level Business Pathway Factsheet and click on Apply Now. You will then be asked to select up to 4 A Level subjects as part of a full-time programme of study. You may be able to change your A Level pathway and subject options when you enrol.