Why study Business Studies?
Business is a contemporary and engaging subject that allows students to develop an understanding of how businesses operate, compete and make decisions in an increasingly global and changing environment. Students will explore how businesses respond to changes in technology, consumer behaviour, competition, economic conditions and government policy.
The course encourages students to think critically about real business situations and to consider the opportunities and challenges faced by businesses of different sizes and in different markets. Students will develop their ability to analyse information, interpret data, solve problems, make reasoned decisions and evaluate the likely impact of different business strategies.
Edexcel A Level Business is ideal for students who enjoy applying their knowledge to real-world situations and who are interested in areas such as marketing, finance, human resources, operations, strategy and entrepreneurship. Students will be expected to use contemporary examples of businesses and current affairs to support their understanding of the subject.
Extra-curricular aspects of the course
There is an expectation that students will bring real examples of the business world into the classroom environment. This could be through first-hand work experience and/or through keeping up to date with current affairs, business news and developments in the media.
Students will be encouraged to investigate businesses and apply the theories and concepts studied in lessons to real organisations. A variety of trips and other enrichment opportunities are envisaged over the two-year course, allowing students to see business theory in practice and develop a greater understanding of how organisations operate.
Students will also develop their ability to interpret quantitative and qualitative information and use evidence to support business decisions.
Entry Requirements
Students who have studied GCSE Business are required to have achieved a grade 6. However, there is not a prerequisite to have studied Business at GCSE level to consider studying A Level Business Studies. Where students have not studied GCSE Business, a grade 6 is desired in Mathematics and English.
Higher Education and Careers
Business is a versatile A Level that can lead to a wide range of university courses, higher and degree apprenticeships and career opportunities. It can be studied as a stand-alone degree or combined with other subjects such as Economics, Mathematics, Languages, Law or Computing.
The knowledge and skills developed through A Level Business can be particularly valuable for careers in areas such as Marketing, Finance, Accounting, Human Resources, Management, Retail, Sales, Entrepreneurship and Business Consultancy.
Students who enjoy analysing financial information may wish to progress towards careers in Accounting, Finance or Banking. Those with a creative interest may enjoy Marketing, Advertising or Brand Management, while students interested in leadership and decision-making may wish to explore Management or Entrepreneurship.
Whether your interest is in Higher Education, an Apprenticeship or progressing directly into the world of work, A Level Business develops a broad range of transferable skills, including communication, problem solving, numerical analysis, research, decision-making and critical evaluation.
Equipment required for the course
Students will create a combination of handwritten and word-processed documentation. As such, please ensure you have an A4 lever arch folder, lined paper, plastic wallets and page dividers.
Students will be assessed in both text and numerical formats. In addition to pens, please ensure you have a calculator, ruler and pencil.
Assessment - A-Level
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Paper 1
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Paper 2
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Paper 3
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Marketing, People and Global Businesses
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Business Activities, Decisions and Strategy
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Investigating Business in a Competitive Environment
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Written Exam: 2 hours
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Written Exam: 2 hours
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Written Exam: 2 hours
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100 marks in total
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100 marks in total
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100 marks in total
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35% of A Level
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35% of A Level
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30% of A Level
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Questions draw on Themes 1 and 4
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Questions draw on Themes 2 and 3
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Questions draw on Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4
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Two sections, each containing a data response question broken down into a number of parts, including an extended open-response question.
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Two sections, each containing a data response question broken down into a number of parts, including an extended open-response question.
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Two sections, each containing a data response question, including an extended open-response question.
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Questions may use local, national or global business contexts.
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Questions may use local, national or global business contexts.
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Section A focuses on the broad context provided in the pre-released material. Section B focuses on at least one strand within that context.
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Students apply knowledge and understanding of marketing, people and global business issues to business situations.
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Students apply knowledge and understanding of business activities, decisions and strategy to business situations.
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Students apply knowledge from all four themes to unfamiliar quantitative and qualitative business evidence.
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The four themes studied across the course include:
- Theme 1 – Marketing and People: meeting customer needs, market research, market positioning, marketing mix, managing people, recruitment, training, leadership and organisational structures.
- Theme 2 – Managing Business Activities: raising finance, financial planning, managing finance, resource management, external influences and business operations.
- Theme 3 – Business Decisions and Strategy: business objectives and strategy, decision-making techniques, influences on business decisions, assessing competitiveness and managing change.
- Theme 4 – Global Business: globalisation, international markets, multinational businesses, protectionism, emerging economies and the impact of global developments on business.
Across all three papers, students are expected to apply their knowledge to business contexts and use quantitative and qualitative information to analyse problems and make supported judgements. Pearson's assessment guidance places particular emphasis on application, analysis and evaluation of the evidence provided in business contexts.
For more information about this course please email
Mr mason
j.mason@bthcc.org
