Business
Why study this course?
If you’re interested in the world of business, this course is ideal for you. It prepares you for university studies in business and management, equipping you with skills for starting your own business or pursuing careers in finance, accounting, marketing, or management. Throughout the course, you’ll apply business knowledge to real-life scenarios, analyse case studies, and reflect on current issues affecting modern businesses. This makes it an excellent complement to other A Levels, including STEM and humanities subjects. The course develops your decision-making abilities in a business context. You’ll have the chance to visit various businesses, including the Mini factory and local social enterprises. Additionally, our vibrant Business Society meets weekly to discuss a broad range of issues, where students are encouraged to choose topics of interest and lead discussions. Lastly, you’ll participate in our Investor Challenge and various enterprise challenges, all completed in teams to strengthen your teamwork skills, which are essential for higher education and future employment.
Course Overview
Business is a dynamic subject. You will explore business success and failure, investigate local, national, and global business markets, and understand how businesses need to adapt and respond strategically to their changing environments to survive and grow. This constant evolutionary process makes business a fascinating subject. In Theme 1 and Theme 2, you will learn about how businesses work. You will be introduced to the marketing and people functions before investigating entrepreneurs and business start-ups. You will also explore how business finance and operations work, and understand the impact of external influences. Themes 3 and 4 move from functions to strategy. You will explore influences on business strategy and decision-making, and understand how businesses mitigate risk and uncertainty. You will also examine global business and the opportunities and issues facing businesses in today’s global world.
The course is assessed through three 2 hour exams at the end of the course:
- Paper 1: Marketing, People, and Global Business
- Paper 2: Business Activiti es, Decisions, and Strategy
- Paper 3: Investigating Business in a Competitive Environment
Entry Requirements
(I)GCSE grades 6 or above in English literature or language and mathematics. Where a student has studied business at (I)GCSE, a grade 7 is required.
