A Level Business Studies

Please refer to EN's Entry Requirements Guide for specific advice on our Admissions Policy. This guide is supplied at interview to prospective students and is also available to Schools & Careers Advisers.

Business is a great choice for anyone interested in the world of commerce and entrepreneurship. It's a good way to prepare for a profession or university courses in the fields of business and management, and to equip yourself with the know-how to start up your own business or follow a career in finance, accounting, marketing or management post university.

Through Business Studies A-level, you will engage with the world of business through the context of current business developments and real business situations. You will learn how management, leadership and decision-making can improve performance in marketing, operational, financial and human resources. You can also explore the interrelated nature of business activities and how they affect businesses, be they large or small, UK or internationally focused and in different sectors such as service or manufacturing.

You will learn how to analyse competitive environments and markets; assess how ethical, environmental and technological factors influence decision making; use a range of quantitative and non-quantitative data to evaluate strategic and functional options; and identify how decisions made affect stakeholders, the wider community and how they will respond.

The approach behind this AS & A level Business course gives students the chance to integrate their knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject, to encourage students to join the dots and make connections.

This will be backed by up-to-date case studies and independent research to bring the subject to life.

The AS content includes the following topics:

Theme 1: Marketing and people, where you will study:

- Meeting customer needs

- The market

- Marketing mix and strategy

- Entrepreneurs and leaders

Theme 2: Managing business activities, where you will study:

- Raising finance

- Financial planning

- Managing finance

- Resource management

- External influences

The A-level incorporates themes one and two plus two further themes:

Theme 3:

- Business objectives and strategy

- Business growth

- Decision-making techniques

- Influences on business decisions

- Assessing competitiveness

- Managing change.

Theme 4: Global business:

- Globalisation

- Global markets and business expansion

- Global industries and companies.

- You will need to demonstrate knowledge of terms and concepts, then apply your knowledge and understanding to various business contexts to show how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to issues.

You will analyse issues within business, showing an understanding of the impact on individuals and organisations. Helping to evaluate and propose informed answers to real world issues.

Exam - 100%

Grade 4 in GCSE English and Maths and a minimum average GCSE score of 5.20.

Assessment is 100% exam based, consisting of short answer questions, data response questions and evaluative short essay questions. The A level is a two year course with all exams taken at the end. The AS is a one year course with two 1 ½ hour exams on Theme 1 and 2. The AS exams do not count towards the A level qualification.

Possible career choices with A-level business studies include management, marketing, finance, accounting, banking, retailing, manufacturing and local government. Most universities accept Business as an A-level when applying for courses such as Economics, Business Studies and many other options.

There is also a growing number of students that apply for higher level apprenticeships or trainee positions after completing their A Level in Business.