Business Studies
Why choose business studies?
In an increasingly globalised economy, a business studies course provides insights on international business and the implications of a fast-changing global market. Business Studies offers students the opportunity to explore the world of work before entering into it fully and equips them with an understanding of how to start a business, how larger corporations operate, and how decisions are made and why.
During the course students will study a broad range of topics including Marketing, Finance, Operations and Business Strategy, as well as the business environment in which businesses operate.
What are the aims of the course?
We aim to develop key business skills such as critical analysis, decision-making and problem-solving.
Our students will learn how to analyse competitive environments and markets; assess how ethical, environmental and technological factors influence decision making; use a range of quantitative and non-quantitative data to evaluate strategic and functional options; understand how a decision affects stakeholders and how they will respond.
What study skills do you need?
- A strong interest in business studies and current affairs; curiosity to learn how a business is organised, operates, plans and makes its decisions.
- Teamwork. To be able to listen to other team members and take on board each other’s opinions and ideas.
- A good standard of arithmetic. This course deals with statistics, budgets, and complicated sums.
- Essay skills: writing critically and analytically and being able to sustain an argument.
GCSE requirements
At least a grade 7 in both Mathematics and English Language or Literature. It is not a requirement that you should have studied Business Studies at GCSE in order to take an A Level course in this subject.
Course content
The Business Studies A Level course has been developed specifically for the AQA Business Studies A level qualification.
- What is business?
- Managers, leadership and decision making
- Decision making to improve marketing performance
- Decision makes to improve operational performance
- Decision making to improve financial performance
- Decision making to improve human resource performance
- Analysing the strategic position of a business
- Choosing strategic direction
- Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
- Managing strategic change
Further education and career opportunities
A-level Business Studies opens up many options for students at university, and there are many courses available with permutations of Business/Management/Administration/ Accounting and Finance.
Business and Management graduates typically progress to careers in areas such as business development, marketing, recruitment and banking, although plenty of other options are available.
