Business Studies

WHY SHOULD I STUDY A-LEVEL BUSINESS STUDIES?

It is a wide and interesting subject that is a perfect accompaniment to any other A Level subject. You will have the opportunity to visit businesses and engage in national competitions such as the Student Investor Challenge. This course enables you to explore business aims and how they achieve these through managing their supply chains, understanding customer behaviour and developing competences to gain a competitive advantage. Any pupil aspiring to a career in management will gain an insight into different schools of leadership and learn how to maximise profits through efficiencies, effective financial management and innovation.

WHAT WILL I LEARN ABOUT?

In your first year of study you will gain a deep and broad understanding of what businesses are and their different facets. You will investigate what a business is, the traits of leadership and the skills of good decision making in business. This will also involve a deeper examination of marketing, operations management, finance and human resources. In the second year, you will study business from a more strategic perspective. This will include analysing business strategies and how these should be implemented.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

The A Level is assessed by three, 2-hour written exams at the end of the course.

• Paper 1: Multiple-choice questions, short answer and two essays.
• Paper 2: Three compulsory data response questions.
• Paper 3: One compulsory case study consisting of six questions.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?

You will develop the ability to:

• Analyse the reasons for business decisions and the strategic thinking behind business news stories.
• Gain a wide appreciation of the challenges involved in running an organisation.
• Create workable solutions to problems in complex situations, involving the management of people and resources.

WHERE COULD THIS SUBJECT TAKE ME IN THE FUTURE?

The course is suitable for anyone aspiring to senior management in business and industry. The A Level course covers the majority of content contained in the first year of a business or management related degree. However, it will also provide a valuable insight into management, leadership and many areas of business that would give any student a head start for any career they intend to pursue.

Exam Board: AQA | Course Code: 7132