Business Studies A Level

Please note that applications to the sixth form close on Wednesday 14th January 2026. If you wish to make an application after this date please contact the sixth form office at office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk or call 01362 696884.

For more information about a place at Dereham Sixth Form College for September 2026, please visit the website - www.dsfc.org.uk

Course Instructions

Most students will choose the equivalent of 3 A Levels but in some circumstances a maximum of 4. These are subjects that will continue for the full two years. Select only one subject from each option block (choosing more than 1 course from the same block will delay your application as courses from each block are timetabled at the same time). All courses are equivalent to 1 A Level except where specified differently below.

Dereham Education & Soccer Academy Including BTEC Diploma in Sport (equivalent to three A Level subjects, no other subject choices required).

If your choice of subjects are not available due to limitations of the blocks, please email us with the details: office@derehamsixthform.norfolk.sch.uk

A Level Business Studies students have access to a wide range of possible careers and Higher Education opportunities due to the diverse nature of the course. Many of our students go on to study the discipline or related subjects at undergraduate level. Alternatively, you can start a career in business armed with an excellent knowledge of how businesses operate. In particular you will have a head start in careers within accountancy, marketing, sales and human resources.

Business Studies has consistently been a popular choice for students studying at the Sixth Form. The department are experienced in delivering the subject and students achieve good results. As part of this course you will be taken to the Bank of England to develop your knowledge and understanding of the impact and role Government institutions have on business and the economy.

For a number of years we have followed the AQA specification which we find provides you with a flexible business course:

• What is business?
• Managers, leadership and decision making
• Decision making to improve marketing performance
• Decision make to improve operational performance
• Decision making to improve financial performance
• Decision making to improve human resource performance
• Analysing the strategic position of a business
• Choosing strategic direction
• Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
• Managing strategic change

Assessment

Paper 1 lasts for 2 hours. It contains three compulsory sections which contain a mixture of multiple choice questions, short response questions and finishes with two essay questions.

Paper 2 lasts for 2 hours. The paper is based upon three data response questions which have different parts to them.

Paper 3 lasts for 2 hours. It has one compulsory case study from which six questions would follow based upon the information which candidates have been given.

Each of the different assessments make up 33.3% of the final A Level grade. All assessments take place at the end of the second year and each paper could focus on any of the topics which have been studied.

Students who wish to pursue careers in any aspect of business, including finance, marketing, customer relations or business strategies will find this course provides a valuable foundation. Equally anyone with an interest in how businesses actually work or who wishes to study Business, Management, Finance, Accounts, Marketing, or Economics individually or in combination at degree level will find this course extremely useful. The material studied would be useful for students intending to pursue careers in any area of business.