AS/A Level Business Studies

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  • Start Date: 01/09/2026
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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A-Level Business is aimed at those who wish to explore how a business runs and the activities within it.

The course specifically looks at key functional areas Human Resources, Operation, Finance and Marketing.

Students will explore key characteristics of each functional area and learn the key benefits and limitations of anything from Marketing to Global Business which then support further analysis. 

The course is split into two years and in Year 1 students will cover:

  • Theme 1 – Marketing and People
  • Theme 2 – Managing Business Activities

Year 13 covers:

  • Theme 3 – Business Decision and Strategy
  • Theme 4 – Global Business as well as a research theme.

This course would be suitable for those looking for a career in Finance, HR, Law, Accountancy and Marketing.

Year 1 – AS Level:

Theme 1 – Marketing and People

You will develop an understanding of:

  • Meeting customer needs
  • The market
  • Marketing mix and strategy
  • Managing people
  • Entrepreneurs and leaders.

Theme 2 – Managing Business Activities

You will develop an understanding of:

  • Raising finance
  • Financial planning
  • Managing finance
  • Resource management
  • External influences

There are two exams at the end of this year.

Year 2 – A Level:

Theme 3: Business Decisions and Strategy

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2. You will develop an understanding of:

  • Business objectives and strategy
  • Business growth
  • Decision-making techniques
  • Influences on business decisions
  • Assessing competitiveness
  • Managing change

Theme 4: Global Business

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1. You will develop an understanding of:

  • Globalisation
  • Global markets and business expansion
  • Global marketing
  • Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)

There are three exams at the end of year 2.

They will cover all themes studied over the two years including one exam paper which is based around a research theme.

Required Entry Qualifications

In order to study A-levels with us, all students need to obtain a strong GCSE grade profile, averaging 6 x Grade 6s, including a Grade 6 in English Language or another Humanities subject, and a Grade 6 in maths.

However, if you do not meet this profile, please still come to one of our enrolment events to discuss all of your options with a member of our A-level team.

In addition to exams, your skills and knowledge will be assessed by:

  • Frequent topic tests
  • Mock assessments
  • Practical assessments

Each level lasts one year, so you’ll spend a year studing AS Level and a year studying A Level.

Once you’ve completed two years, you’ll have a good range of skills that are useful in a range of degree courses including:

  • Marketing
  • Public relations
  • Sociology
  • Law.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH A QUALIFICATION IN AS/A LEVEL BUSINESS STUDIES?

  • Business and Financial Project Management Professionals
  • Public Relations Professionals
  • Actuaries, Economists and Statisticians
  • Management Consultants and Business Analysts
  • Marketing, Sales, and Advertising Directors
  • Financial Managers and Directors

Knowledge

Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Median Salary
£49,772

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Communications and Media: Knowledge of media production, communication, and dissemination techniques and methods. This includes alternative ways to inform and entertain via written, oral, and visual media.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Median Salary
£34,923

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Median Salary
£40,101

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Clerical: Knowledge of administrative and clerical procedures and systems such as word processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office procedures and terminology.

Computers and Electronics: Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Median Salary
£49,267

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Sales and Marketing: Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Customer and Personal Service: Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Median Salary
£64,522

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Knowledge

Economics and Accounting: Knowledge of economic and accounting principles and practices, the financial markets, banking and the analysis and reporting of financial data.

Administration and Management: Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modelling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

English Language: Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Mathematics: Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.

Personnel and Human Resources: Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labour relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

Median Salary
£46,840

Average Qualifications
Honours, Bachelor's degree

Find Out More

Pathways

Mathematics and Social Sciences
People in these occupations study mathematical methods, apply mathematics to solve problems, and study and describe human society.
Business Management
People in these occupations manage organisations and operations, formulate business strategies, and consult on policy.
Marketing and Sales
People in these occupations conduct market research, create advertising content, sell goods, services, or property, and provide customer support.
Accounting and Finance
People in these occupations prepare and record accounts of financial dealings within businesses and provide financial analysis, banking, credit, and investment services.

Pathways

Mathematics and Social Sciences
People in these occupations study mathematical methods, apply mathematics to solve problems, and study and describe human society.
Business Management
People in these occupations manage organisations and operations, formulate business strategies, and consult on policy.
Marketing and Sales
People in these occupations conduct market research, create advertising content, sell goods, services, or property, and provide customer support.
Accounting and Finance
People in these occupations prepare and record accounts of financial dealings within businesses and provide financial analysis, banking, credit, and investment services.

Pathways

Mathematics and Social Sciences
People in these occupations study mathematical methods, apply mathematics to solve problems, and study and describe human society.
Business Management
People in these occupations manage organisations and operations, formulate business strategies, and consult on policy.
Marketing and Sales
People in these occupations conduct market research, create advertising content, sell goods, services, or property, and provide customer support.
Accounting and Finance
People in these occupations prepare and record accounts of financial dealings within businesses and provide financial analysis, banking, credit, and investment services.

Pathways

Mathematics and Social Sciences
People in these occupations study mathematical methods, apply mathematics to solve problems, and study and describe human society.
Business Management
People in these occupations manage organisations and operations, formulate business strategies, and consult on policy.
Marketing and Sales
People in these occupations conduct market research, create advertising content, sell goods, services, or property, and provide customer support.
Accounting and Finance
People in these occupations prepare and record accounts of financial dealings within businesses and provide financial analysis, banking, credit, and investment services.

Skills

Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
View More About This Career

Skills

Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
View More About This Career

Skills

Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
View More About This Career

Skills

Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
View More About This Career

Skills

Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
View More About This Career

Skills

Active Listening
Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Active Learning
Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
Reading Comprehension
Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Writing
Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
Mathematics
Using mathematics to solve problems.
Speaking
Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Learning Strategies
Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
Science
Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
View More About This Career
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