Examining Board:  AQA

Head of Department: Mr D Wellings

David.Wellings@portland-place.co.uk

Aims:

To develop a knowledge and understanding of the language, concepts and decision making techniques used in a business environment.  

To promote an understanding of different types of business organisation and the markets they serve.

To create an understanding of the internal workings and management of organisations.  

To make students aware that business behaviour should be studied from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders including customers, managers, owners and employees.

To promote an understanding of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity.  

Assessment:

All the five of the areas above are tested in four exams, two AS exams in the first year and two A2 papers in the second,  All four are between one and one and a half hours long and include case studies, multiple choice sections and essay questions.  The key difference between the two years is that the AS exams assess subject knowledge, and A2 exams focus on the skills of analysis and evaluation.  As the first year represents a general introduction to the subject, it is possible to take the A-level without already taken the GCSE in Business Studies.  

Career Choices:

Business Studies A-level gives students an understanding of Business concepts and ideas which are relevant to a range of occupations and degrees.  It will also help students if they are considering degrees in any business related subject.