Business Studies
Business Studies aims to open students’ eyes to the world of business. Students explore the purpose and nature of business, as well as the functional areas of business.
They will learn about the latest business theories and concepts and consider the practical application in the ‘real world’. Students will also learn the importance of external influences on business and how businesses change in response to these influences. To support students’ understanding of the subject, they have the opportunity to attend a number of conferences and trips.
Examination Board: AQA
Course Description
In A Level Business Studies students study business in a variety of contexts and consider the importance of that context in relation to decision making. They will explore the interrelated nature of business, the environments in which they operate and use a variety of business models, theories and techniques to analyse business issues and strategic decisions.
Students will study topics that are relevant to businesses in today’s society, such as Corporate Social Responsibility, ethical and environmental issues and examine the impact of contemporary
developments, such as digital technology and globalisation. Current case studies are used throughout the course to enable the application of the theory to ‘real life’ business questions.
In Year 12, students have the opportunity to take part in a business trip. In the past these have included the BMW mini plant in Oxford, a trip which focuses on production processes, and Cotswold Wildlife Park, a trip which focuses specifically on marketing.
At the end of Year 12 students will attend our Business and Economics conference. This is an opportunity for students to listen to past students talk about the routes they followed after A Levels – university or apprenticeship – and the careers that this has led to. We also invite a guest Business Leader. Last year this was Steven Northam, who students may have seen on George Clark’s Amazing Spaces.
Assessment
This is a linear course. This means that students opting for this subject will be committing to a two-year linear course, with all units examined at the end of Year 13.
Students will sit three written papers that will cover the full content of the course.
- Paper 1: Three sections: Multiple Choice Questions (15 marks), Short Answer Questions (35 marks), Two Essay Questions (25 marks each). (2 hours, worth 33.3% of qualification)
- Paper 2: Three Data Response Questions (33 marks each). (2 hours, worth 33.3% of qualification)
- Paper 3: Case Study Questions (2 hours, worth 33.3% of qualification)
Entry Requirements
Business Studies GCSE or Enterprise BTEC is not a requirement, but where students have completed the GCSE course, a Grade 5 or higher is required and where students have completed the Enterprise BTEC, a Merit is required.
Where might it lead?
A Level Business Studies can help open doors to careers:
- Accountant
- Actuary
- Business Adviser
- Business Analyst
- Business Development Manager
- Chartered Management Accountant
- Civil Service
- Corporate Investment Banker
- Data Analyst
- Data Scientist
- Entrepreneur
- Human Resource Manager
- Insurance Underwriter
- Management Consultant
- Marketing
- Operational Researcher
- Project Manager
- Risk Manager
- Stockbroker
- Supply Chain Manager
- Teacher
Student Destinations
Mariya Gomzyakova
2024 Offers from:
- University of Portsmouth – Law with Business
- University of Reading – International Business and Management with a Modern Language
- Royal Holloway, University of London – Management with International Business
- University of Southampton – Business Management
Jake Hall
2024 Offers from:
- University of the West of England – International Business
- Oxford Brookes University – International Business Management
- University of Portsmouth – International Business
- University of Surrey – International Business Management with Foundation Year
