Business Studies

Course summary

This is the ideal course for anyone that aspires to open their own business or anyone that plans to work for a company. WHAT IS BUSINESS? Business looks at how and why companies are started, how they are run and what happens when they go wrong. This subject explores the role of businesses within society, how businesses interact with one another, with governments and with society as a whole. The course considers the differences between small independent businesses, large, incorporated companies, third sector companies and the public sector. The similarities and differences between these different types of firm are explored, for example, the similarities and differences in how they promote their goods and services, differences in the management of money and in the strategic goals of each type of organisation. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW, OR BE ABLE TO DO, BEFORE TAKING THIS COURSE? No prior knowledge of Business is necessary to start this course, although a GCSE in Business or Economics may provide you with a small advantage in the first year of this course. Some confidence in reading case studies and analysing numerical data would be advantageous. WHAT WILL I LEARN? The course is divided into ten topics, each explores a different aspect of business activity: What is business? Managers, leadership and decision making Marketing management Operational management Financial management Human resource management Analysing strategic position of a business Choosing strategic direction Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies 10 Managing strategic change SKILLS DEVELOPED DURING THE COURSE Business A Level helps students to develop a range of quantitative and qualitative skills. The ability to analyse quantitative and qualitative data is developed through the study of examples of regional, national and global business activity. Problem solving is developed through the application of business theory to real and hypothetical scenarios. Leadership skills and creativity are developed through participation in the Young Enterprise Companies programme. IS THIS THE RIGHT SUBJECT FOR ME? Business is a useful subject if you plan to start your own business. It gives you a good grounding in skills such as the management of people and money. This is also a useful subject if you aspire to a higher managerial role within an existing business. You learn about areas such as strategy and marketing that will provide a good grounding for undergraduate study and apprenticeships. Even if you don’t want to set up or run a business, this subject is very useful. You will have a job throughout most of your life – this course covers vital knowledge such as employment rights. You will also be a consumer of goods and services – and this course will help you understand your legal rights as a buyer and user of goods and services. OPPORTUNITIES AFTER THE COURSE Business A Level is good preparation for an undergraduate degree in Business Studies. Many universities offer either a three-year undergraduate degree in Business Studies or a four year undergraduate degree which includes a year spent on work placement, although this tends to require higher A Level grades. Business A Level is also a good route into a number of excellent degree level apprenticeships in areas such as management consultancy, accountancy, marketing, retail management and data science. Business A-Level can be good preparation for a diverse range of careers, including management, accountancy, teaching and research.