BUSINESS (Edexcel 9BS0) A Level

BUSINESS (AQA 7132)

Course Overview

The Business course focuses on the objectives and different functions of business, e.g. marketing, accounting and finance, operations and human resources, along with the challenges facing business from the wider competitive environment. Those who study Business will inevitably meet some areas of Economics because all businesses are affected by what happens in our economy.

You will be introduced to the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. The key internal functions of businesses are then explored along with how the management of these functions can assist in improving the effectiveness and performance of a business. Finally, you will examine business strategy and how businesses might best respond to change in today’s fast moving commercial environment, both domestically and internationally..

The A Level course comprises three papers:

Paper 1: Marketing, people and global businesses (Written exam: 2hrs, 35% of A Level)

Meeting customer needs, the market, marketing mix and strategy, managing people, entrepreneurs and leaders, globalisation, global markets and business expansion, global marketing, global industries and companies (multinational corporations). Questions will cover local, national and global contexts.

Paper 2: Business activities, decisions and strategy (Written exam: 2hrs, 35% of A Level)

Raising finance, financial planning, managing finance, resource management, external influences, business objectives and strategy, business growth, decision-making techniques, influences on business decisions, assessing competitiveness, managing change. Questions will cover local, national and global contexts.

Paper 3: Investigating business in a competitive environment (Written exam: 2hrs, 30% of A Level)

Based on a pre-released context, usually a specific industry or individual market. Questions will cover the content already covered in Papers 1 and 2.

Links to other subjects

Business is closely related to Economics and has particular links to Mathematics, Psychology, Geography and Design & Technology.

Links to HE courses and beyond

An A Level in Business would be considered valuable preparation for degree level study in the fields of Business Management, Accountancy and Finance, Marketing, Corporate Law, Economics and Quantity Surveying, whilst providing a solid foundation for any student looking to run their own, or somebody else’s, business.

Academically, it is expected that students entering Birkdale’s Sixth Form will have achieved a minimum of 5 passes (9 to 5) at GCSE, with at least 4 at grade 6 or higher; we would expect 6 or higher GCSE grades in those subjects being studied to A level. A grade 6 is required to study A Level English and Mathematics, although a grade 7 is preferred in Mathematics. Prospective Further Mathematicians should achieve a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics although a grade 8 is preferred. In addition at Birkdale we look beyond the academic and would wish applicants to become fully involved in the life of the school, offering their skills and abilities in one or more of a number of areas (e.g. drama, sport, music, clubs and societies, etc).