Business

READING LIST

"Business is a broad subject that takes an in-depth look at large organizations and examines the theoretical fundamentals behind their everyday operations. I've examined the influence of marketing, advertising and promotion, the design  of the product itself, and the key features of pricing strategy". - Usman Mohammed, lower sixth student

Qualification

A-Level

Assessment: 100% exam

PAPER 1 – Marketing, people and global businesses (35%)
A two-hour exam comprised of two sections. Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question.  Paper 1 will assess marketing, people and global businesses. Questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 4, and from local, national and global contexts.

PAPER 2 – Business activities, decisions and strategy (35%)
A two-hour exam comprised of two sections. Sections A and B each comprise one data response question broken down into a number of parts, including one extended open-response question.  Paper 2 will assess business finance and operations, business decisions and strategy. Questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 3, and from local, national and global contexts.

PAPER 3 – Investigating business in a competitive environment (30%)
Paper 3 will assess content across all four themes. Questions will be drawn from local, national and global contexts. The context will focus on a broad context, such as an industry or market in which businesses operate. The two-hour exam will be in two sections. Each section will contain unseen stimulus materials comprising quantitative and qualitative evidence. Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding from Themes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and their understanding of the broad context to this evidence.

What do I need to study this course?

You must have a genuine interest in business and be motivated to investigate business issues further. You will need at least a grade 5 in GCSE English Language and a grade 4 in GCSE Maths.

What will I study?

You will study a range of areas including marketing, HR, finance, operational management, the external environment, business decisions and strategy, and global business. The A-level is assessed by three two-hour exams taken at the end of the second year.

What next?

Many of our students progress to study business at university whilst others secure apprenticeships in accountancy, insurance, retail management and other careers. Many career options are accessible from this subject, such as management, accountancy, advertising, banking, marketing and human resources. A wide variety of companies offer management positions and training schemes to business graduates.

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