Business A Level
“If you really look closely, most overnight business successes took a long time.” – Steve Jobs
Fancy yourself at the head of a successful business? Got some great ideas for new products or services? Or maybe you want to work for a large company by working in marketing or management. No matter what your vision, Business A Level gives you an incredibly powerful start to launch you on your journey to becoming a business person.
All the key topics of starting and running a business are covered to equip you for the world of work beyond your education. Many successful business people start a business from home; not everybody wants to run a global corporation. A lot of people prefer to start a small business offering an individual service or simply want to work for themselves. Whether you’re selling homemade candles or starting your own e-company, there is still a lot you need to know. What prices to charge? How to promote? And how to get paid? It’s all taught in A Level Business.
The course aims to:
- enable you to focus on the dynamic nature of the contemporary business world.
- provide opportunities for research into topical business issues.
- offer opportunities for the development and application of a full range of academic skills.
Among the many benefits, this new specification is designed to encourage you to:
- explore real business situations
- be practical in the application of business concepts
- understand the role of the entrepreneur and business in society.
Curriculum Intent
To equip students with the knowledge and skills to achieve success in the ever-changing world of work.
What you will study
A Level Business has three papers in total, counting for 35%, 35% and 30% respectively.
Year One
In the first year, you will study two units: ‘Marketing and People’ which includes information on the different types of business structure and an introduction to finance and ‘Managing Business Activities’ which gives you more knowledge on increasing profits, recruiting and managing employees and operations management (including customer service and technology).
Year Two
In the second year, you will build on your solid knowledge base from year one. You will cover ‘Business Decisions and Strategy’, which includes financial strategies to improve profits, strategies to take on the competition, operational strategies to improve products and improving employee relations. The final unit is titled ‘Global Business’. You will learn how businesses deal with the impact of economic, cultural, political and technological changes on an organisation, at home and abroad.
Entry requirements
Five subjects at grade 4 or above, including English and maths.
Why study A Level Business at Windsor Sixth Form?
- Specialist teaching - The Business department at Windsor is extremely well resourced with experienced teachers in a variety of specialisms.
- Employability skills - Studying business gives you an insight into the world of work and increases your employability skills and economic understanding.
- Real life learning - The course is applicable to real life, researching and learning about UK based businesses of your choice with exposure to employers where possible.
- Dedicated teachers -The Business Department is Years 10 to 13 focused department, passionate about their subject and committed to supporting their students.
Other courses that go well with Business A Level
Students who take business often also study accounting, economics, ICT, law, geography, modern languages, English or maths. Students committed to the arts or sciences should also consider taking Business in this cost-centred world.
What you can do after the course
This A Level will get you started in business and give you the skills and knowledge to progress to higher education, an apprenticeship or employment.
After studying A Level Business, you can continue your studies at university as a subject on its own or in combination with associated subjects such as:
- Accounting
- Banking
- Economics
- Law
- Marketing
- Management and personnel
Good problem-solving and analytical skills developed by studying business lend themselves to a variety of different career possibilities such as banking, accountancy, finance, insurance, marketing, personnel, management and sales.
Where do our students progress to after the course?
Students often progress to university taking either a general business course or a business course specialising in a particular area such as finance or marketing. Many students are also able to secure apprenticeships with successful businesses.
Student success stories
- 33% of students went on to complete Apprenticeships with successful businesses including Network Rail.
- 66% of students went on to study Business or Law at university.