Lessons
What is Business Studies?
Business Studies is about understanding how businesses are set up and how to make successful decisions in a changing business world. We are all affected by the decisions businesses make and Business Studies is about learning how important it is to: control costs and maximise sales; employ the right people; make excellent products; ensure we know our markets and make our customers aware of our products. From the beginning of a business start-up, to the challenges faced by large multinational corporations, the course is applied to the real world today and the products we buy.
Your Business A-Level will help you answer questions such as: What makes a successful business? How ethical and environmentally friendly is big business? How are British business people meeting the challenges of globalisation and competition? How do you find a really good business idea? Why are there relatively few women in top management? What difference is modern technology making to working patterns? How will businesses be affected by 'Brexit'?
Lessons will involve discussions of current and topical business issues, group decision making and research exercises, role-play and presentations to the class, individual problem solving and the study of business techniques.
Year 1
Studying & Assessment - AS Level
AQA
The AQA Business AS Level includes studying:
- What is business?
- Managers, leadership and decision making
- Decision making to improve marketing performance
- Decision making to improve operational performance
- Decision making to improve financial performance
- Decision making to improve human resource performance
At the end of the year you'll be assessed by two exams which are both worth 50% of your final grade.
OCR
OCR Business Studies AS is made up of six units of study:
- Business objectives and strategic decisions
- External influences facing businesses
- Marketing and marketing strategies
- Operational strategy
- Human resources
- Accounting and financial considerations
After the end of Lower Sixth you'll take two exams both worth 50% of your final grade. Both exams assess content from all six modules.
Edexcel
The Edexcel Business Studies AS consists of two examined papers both of which are worth 50% of your final grade. Each are based around a theme, the two themes being:
Marketing and people
- meeting customer needs
- the market
- marketing mix and strategy
- managing people
- entrepreneurs and leaders
Managing business activities
- raising finance
- financial planning
- managing finance
- resource management
- external influences
Year 2
Studying & Assessment - A Level
AQA
The AQA Biology A-Level is made up of 10 areas of core content:
- What is business?
- Managers, leadership and decision making
- Decision making to improve marketing performance
- Decision making 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
At the end of Upper Sixth you'll be assessed via three exams all worth a third of your final grade.
OCR
OCR Biology A-Level is made up of 7 modules:
- Business objectives and strategic decisions
- External influences facing businesses
- Marketing and marketing strategies
- Operational strategy
- Human resources
- Accounting and financial considerations
- The global environment of business
You'll be assessed via three exams which will take place at the end of Upper Sixth all of which are worth a third of your final grade.
Edexcel
The Edexcel Business Studies A-Level consists of three papers taken at the end of Upper Sixth. Marketing, people and global businesses and business activities, decisions and strategy are both worth 35% of your final grade and examine those aspects specifically. Investigating business in a competitive environment assesses content across all the themes and is worth 30% of your final grade.
Marketing and people
- meeting customer needs
- the market
- marketing mix and strategy
- managing people
- entrepreneurs and leaders
Managing business activities
- raising finance
- financial planning
- managing finance
- resource management
- external influences
Business decisions and strategy
- business objectives and strategy
- business growth
- decision-making techniques
- influences on business decisions
- assessing competitiveness
- managing change
Global business
- globalisation
- global markets and business expansion
- global marketing
- global industries and companies (multinational corporations)
Assessment
Exams
Business studies is a linear qualification so you'll take exams at the end of your second year of study if you do the A-level. Your exam will be made up of multiple choice questions, short answer questions, essays, data response questions and case studies.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
The grades that you'll need to get onto the course will depend on your college, however it's likely that you'll need at least a grade 5 in GCSE mathematics, as there is significant numerical work and at least a grade 4 in English language.
What's Next
Next Steps
If you enjoyed your business studies A-level you might look to doing something similar at university such as management or business. However, in combination with other A-levels it can take you onto practically any degree, and is also great dual degree choice for example French and Business. Just remember that if you choose to go to a top university you'll need two facilitating subjects along with this A-level.
If you are looking to enter the workplace or undertake an apprenticeship after your A-Levels Business Studies is a great stepping stone.
Skills
Skills
- Business acumen - a practical understanding of business concepts
- Data analysis - the ability to manipulate data in a variety of forms and to interpret results
- Presenting - the ability to present arguments, making judgements and justified recommendations
- Problem solving - using appropriate business tools and methods
- Teamwork - the ability to work with others
- Research - into a specific theme in preparation for one or more tasks
Resources
Resources
Online Courses
Revision
Podcasts
Journals
Other Subjects
What should I study Business Studies alongside?
Business studies is of value whichever subjects you are doing as everyone will encounter the commercial aspects of their job at some point in their career. For those keen to pursue a career in business, accounting, languages and mathematics are popular choices, but remember that if you want to go to a top university you'll need two facilitating subjects along with this A-level.
Suggested Reading
Suggested Reading
There are loads of great popular business books out there and the best way to find them is to pop to your local bookshop and get browsing. If you wish to study business or a business-related subject at university we recommend highlighting or post-it noting pages which interest you so you have something to talk about in your interview and UCAS form.
You might find some of your lessons a bit dry, and you might find these books inspiring in your quest for a career in business:
- Jack: Straight from the Gut by Jack Welsh
- 'Zero to One' by Peter Thiel
- Start With Why by Simon Sinek
- The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
- Originals by Adam Grant
- Grit by Angela Duckworth
- What They Teach You at Harvard Business School by Philip Delves Broughton
