Course Leader:

Ms E Benjamin – ebenjamin@sackvilleschool.org.uk

Exam board: Pearson Edexcel

Guidance: Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above with maths and English language at grade 5. Previous study of business at GCSE is not essential.

Course length: 2 Years

Course description

The course focuses on a problem-solving approach to business that is designed to help students understand the nature and working of organisations. Much of the learning is based around real-life case studies.
A Level Business is a modern subject that enables students to engage with, explore and understand business behaviour and develop a critical understanding of what business is and does.
In this A Level there is a greater focus on digital technology and e-commerce, international business, globalisation and business ethics than previously.

Studying this subject will enable you to:

• Show an understanding of how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to business issues.
• Apply knowledge and understanding to various business contexts to show how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to issues.
• Analyse issues within business, showing an understanding of the impact on individuals and organisations of external and internal influences.
• Evaluate quantitative and qualitative information to make informed judgements and propose evidence-based solutions to business issues.

Course units

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Business is structured into four themes and consists of three externally examined papers.

Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work.  Breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, with applications to a wider range of contexts and more complex business information, are developed in Themes 3 and 4, requiring you to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues.

You are encouraged to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of business, to understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives and to challenge assumptions.

Theme 1: Marketing and People

You will develop an understanding of:

• Meeting customer needs
• The market
• Marketing mix and strategy
• Managing people
• Entrepreneurs and leaders.

Theme 2: Managing Business Activities

You will develop an understanding of:

• Raising finance
• Financial planning
• Managing finance
• Resource management
• External influences.

Theme 3: Business Decisions and Strategy

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2.

You will develop an understanding of:

• Business objectives and strategy
• Business growth
• Decision-making techniques
• Influences on business decisions
• Assessing competitiveness
• Managing change.

Theme 4: Global Business

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1.

You will develop an understanding of:

• Globalisation
• Global markets and business expansion
• Global marketing
• Global industries and companies (multinational corporations).

 

(Click here for course specification)

Assessment

Paper 1: Written paper (2hrs) consisting of data response questions and one extended open-response question, based on Themes 1 & 4.
Paper 2: Written paper (2hrs) consisting of data response questions and one extended open-response question, based on Themes 2 & 3.
Paper 3: Written paper (2hrs) based on all four themes.
The exams assess quantitative skills, making up a minimum of 10% of the overall marks. The skills tested include ratios, averages, fractions, percentages and calculation of profit and loss. Students taking A Level Business therefore require a good level of mathematical ability.

What can I do with this qualification?

Business studies students are very employable. After developing skills involving the analysis and evaluation of data together with the development and application of knowledge linked to a particular context, students can pursue careers in small to medium enterprises or multinational corporations in the City, the media, in marketing, human resources or ICT. It can also provide many exciting opportunities to study and work abroad.