Business Studies - A Level

The course will focus on the ever-changing nature of business and how it is affected by national and international issues. Businesses in Wales, the UK and on an international platform are considered and students are required, for both AS and A2, to keep up to date with current affairs as part of the course. Wherever possible, real life business examples will be investigated, analysed and evaluated bringing meaning to the theory studied in the syllabus. In addition to formal teaching, students will also take part in role plays, class discussions, group and individual work.

In year 1, students will study two modules. The first module, will provide students with an introduction to the scope of Business Studies within the context of an entrepreneur, starting a new business. They will be expected to have an understanding of the range of activities involved in setting up a small business, for example researching the market, deciding the legal structure of the business and sourcing finance. In the second module students will examine how to measure the effectiveness of a larger business through the four main functions of a business: Marketing – effectively communicating with the customer; Finance – planning, monitoring and assessing the finances of the business; Operations Management – how efficiently the business transforms raw materials into the finished product or service; and Human Resources – methods used to ensure workers are organised and managed to work as productively and efficiently as possible.

In year 2, students will build on their knowledge gained in year 1 through two further modules, where they will consider the operations of business on a national and global perspective, at a strategic level. The emphasis in the first module is on understanding and using analytical techniques and developing appropriate business strategies, for example through using decision making models. The second module focuses on how businesses adapt to succeed in a dynamic external environment, through understanding how a range of external factors can affect day to day activities, decision making and strategy. There is more focus on analysis and evaluation and the learner’s ability to show a higher level of knowledge and understanding. Students will take more responsibility for their own learning at this level, reading around the subject areas and keeping their current affairs knowledge up to date.

There is no course work, however learners will have to complete essays and reports at A2 level.