A level Business will interest budding entrepreneurs as you develop your knowledge of how businesses are organised, structured, financed and operated. You will learn the theories behind successful businesses and explore companies such as Google, Apple and Tesco and will examine real business situations, making use of a range of information sources and personal research. Business is a dynamic combination of economics, marketing, accountancy, administration and law. In the classroom there is plenty of debate and discussion. You will learn about starting up a business, the risks and rewards, budgeting and cash flow through to how to manage strategic changes within multinational businesses. You will also address the four functional areas within business – marketing, finance, human resources and managing operations.

• GCSE English Language grade 4 or above
• GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or above

There are four themes covering marketing & people which considers the market the business operates in, marketing strategies a business may use and investigates entrepreneurs and leaders. This leads onto looking at marketing techniques and strategy at a global level. The course also explores how businesses manage resources including their financial planning and cashflow. Culminating in using decision making techniques, objectives, and strategy to enable business growth and improve competitiveness.

Paper 1 – Marketing, people & global business

Questions drawn from Theme 1 & Theme 4
2 hours written examination 100 marks – 35%
Section A: one data response question, including one extended open-response question
Section B: one data response question, including one extended open-response question

Paper 2 – Paper 2 – Business activities, decisions, and strategy

Questions drawn from Theme 2 & Theme 3
2 hours written examination 100 marks – 35%
Section A: one data response question, including one extended open-response question
Section B: one data response question, including one extended open-response question
2 hours written examination

Paper 3 – Investigating business in a competitive environment

Questions drawn from all themes
2 hours written examination 100 marks – 30%
Two data response questions broken down into a number of parts, each including one extended open response question. This paper has a pre-released context to enable students to investigate an industry or market in which businesses operate.

This course provides a suitable basis for entry to degree courses in business, accounting, law, environmental studies, marketing and management. Careers are possible in any area of business and many of our students go on to study at university in business-related degrees. Learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers.