Business

‘Business is a subject that is centred in the world around you: in the news, in the choices you face when shopping and when searching for, or working in, a job or when running your own business’.

Skills Required

During the A Level course you will be introduced to a number of business theories and models, and you will be expected to apply them to real world examples and case studies. You will require a range of skills including decision making and problem solving and where appropriate, the quantification and management of information. You will be expected to read around the subject matter, and to build up a portfolio of examples of current business behaviour.

The ability to construct logical arguments and to write essays will necessitate sound analytical and evaluate skills. The mathematical and data handling aspects of the course require no more than a competent performance at GCSE Mathematics.

Course Overview

The provision of this course should enable you to develop a critical understanding of the internal workings of a business, and of its role in the economy and broader external environment. You will become aware of the effects of business behaviour from a range of perspectives and a variety of organisations.

The course being followed is the AQA Business Specification (7132). During the course, we will cover: ‘what is business?’, managers, leadership, decision making to improve marketing performance, operational performance, financial performance and human resource performance. We will also look at analysing the strategic position of a business, choosing strategic direction, managing strategies change, strategic methods and how to pursue strategies.

The material studied in the Business course will be suitable preparation for a range of degree courses and careers, especially those related to the worlds of finance and business.

Business draws material from a range of academic disciplines and with its emphasis on applying knowledge to the real world it adopts a more practical approach than many subjects. The subject has a relevance to our lives that make its study both accessible and useful.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be required to sit three papers, which cover all aspects of the course content.

Paper 1 2 hours Multiple-choice questions, short answer questions and two essays from a choice of four titles.

Paper 2 2 hours Data response questions.

Paper 3 2 hours Questions based on a business case study.