A-level Business Studies
A-Level Business will help to develop a range of important and transferable skills such as presenting arguments and making recommendations on the basis of the available evidence, and problem-solving. Whilst learning online, you can utilise our unlimited tutor support as you work towards a fulfilling career in the world of business. If you have ambitions one day of running your own company, this course can be the ideal launch pad.
- Fast Track
- In a rush? You can complete this course under a year at no extra charge
- 98% Pass Rate
- Students have enjoyed a 98% pass rate
- Exam Pass Guarantee
- If you don't pass first time, we'll support you for free until your next exams
- Online Learning
- Study on your own terms with our learning platform, MyOxbridge™
- Unlimited Tutor Support™
- Get as much help as you want from your expert personal tutor
Course Introduction
Want to become an entrepreneur? Find marketing fascinating? Great with numbers? Whether you see yourself becoming the next Elon Musk or the Chancellor of the Exchequer, our AQA-accredited A-level Business course will give you the skills you need to blossom in the business world!
In this engaging A-level Business online course, you’ll develop a critical understanding of different business forms, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. You’ll gain the tools and information required to understand how businesses are founded, managed and become successful. This course will also benefit anyone wishing to start their own company or become a leader in an organisation, or progress to a business-related degree.
Such is the versality of an A-level qualification in Business, you will have the opportunity to pursue business-related degrees or gain important knowledge that can give you a strong start in your journey towards a rewarding career. Learn all about different business environments and give yourself the best chance to be a success.
Course Info
- Duration
- Study Hours
- Difficulty
- Outcome
- UCAS Points
- Syllabus Code
- Units
-
9 to 24 months
(Fast Track available)
-
300
-
Level 3
-
AQA
-
56
-
7132
-
11 units (view units)
Awarding Body: AQA
AQA qualifications are internationally recognised and taught in 30 countries worldwide, highly valued and recognised by employers and universities and enable you to progress to the next stage of your life. AQA qualifications suit a range of abilities and include GCSE courses, IGCSE courses and A-level courses.
UCAS
This course carries UCAS points. This means that it can be used to gain direct access to university courses and other higher education qualifications, through the UCAS system.
What you will learn
Below is an outline of the course material you will study:
Unit 1: What is Business?
- Different types of business
- Mission statements
- Business and the external environment
- Environmental issues and fair trade
- Cost and demand
Unit 2: Managers, Leadership and Decision Making
- Difference between managers and leaders
- Types of management and leadership styles
- Influences on the styles of management and leaders
- The types of decisions a business makes
- Stakeholders
Unit 3: Decision Making to Improve Marketing Performance
- The purpose of marketing
- Marketing objectives
- Ethical and environmental marketing object objectives
- Types of market research
- Qualitative market research
- Quantitative market research
- Market mapping
- Understanding extrapolation
- Interpretation of price and income elasticities of demand
- Segmentation, targeting and positioning
- The marketing mix
- The promotional mix
- The product life cycle
- Types of distribution channel
- Digital marketing and E-commerce
Unit 4: Decision Making to Improve Operational Performance
- Setting operational objectives
- Analysing operational performance
- Increasing efficiency and productivity
- Managing quality
- Managing inventory and supply chains
Unit 5: Decision Making to Improve Financial Performance
- Types of financial objective
- Return on investment
- The distinction between cash flow and profit
- Gross profit, operating profit, and profit for the year
- Types of budget
- Value of budgeting
- How to analyse profitability
- Different sources of finance
- Improving cash flow and profits
Unit 6: Decision Making to Improve Human Resource Performance
- Human resource objectives
- Maintaining good employer and employee relations
- Internal and external influences on HR objectives and decisions
- Organisational structures and influences
- Recruitment
- Human resource / workforce planning
- Importance of effective recruitment and selection
- Training
- Redeployment
- Redundancy
- Theories of motivation
- Methods of employee representation
Unit 7: Analysing the Strategic Position of a Business
- Mission corporate objectives and strategy
- The distinction between strategy and tactics
- SWOT Analyses
- The value of a SWOT Analysis
- Analysing balance sheets
- Classifying business expenditure
- Profitability and performance ratios
- Financial performance indicators
- Political and legal change
- Economic change and Gross Domestic Product (GDP)
- Social and technological change
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) reporting
- Competitive environment
Unit 8: Choosing Strategic Direction
- The factors influencing which markets to compete in and which products to offer
- Ansoff’s Matrix
- Competitive advantage
Unit 9: Strategic Methods: How to Pursue Strategies
- The differences between organic and external growth
- Issues involved with managing growth
- The experience curve
- Greiner’s Model of Growth
- Assessing innovation
- Assessing internationalisation
- The pressures to adopt digital technology
- Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP)
Unit 10: Managing Strategic Change
- Causes of and pressures for change
- The value of change
- The value of a flexible organisation
- Organic structures vs mechanistic structures
- Managing information and knowledge
- Kotter and Schlesinger’s Four Reasons for Resistance to Change
- The importance of organisational culture
- The influences on organisational culture
- Managing strategic implementation
- Planned vs emergent strategy
- The value of strategic planning
- The value of contingency planning
Unit 11: Preparing for the examinations
- Paper 1
- Paper 2
- Paper 3
Course Outcome
Upon successful completion of this home learning course, you will receive an A-level in Business (7132), issued by AQA, the leading awarding body. Your certificate is identical to that issued to students at any other school, college or university.
A qualification from Oxbridge is the same as any other educational institution. Feel confident about your post-studying options after achieving a highly valued A-level.
Progression Routes
Studying A-Level Business lets students venture in management, finance, economics, marketing, and entrepreneurship. You will gain a deeper understanding of the global state of business, and you will also be adequately prepped for further education.
Examinations and Assessments
You’ll be required to complete three standard A-level written exams:
- Paper 1: 2 hours, 33.3% of A-level, 100 marks.
- Paper 2: 2 hours, 33.3% of A-level, 100 marks.
- Paper 3: 2 hours, 33.3% of A-level, 100 marks.
These exams contain a mixture of short and long answer questions and extended response questions.
Exam FAQs
Are exams required to pass the course?
For A-levels and GCSEs you will need to sit an exam. You can purchase your exams when you enrol on a course, or you can book them later via MyOxbridge. Either way, once you're on board with us, your tutor will guide you through the process.
Where are the exams held?
Exams will require attendance at a physical exam centre, with detailed information available on our Exam Centres page. We offer guaranteed exam spaces at our partnership centres across the UK, or you can register as a private candidate at a centre of your choice, keeping in mind that fees may vary by location.
When do exams take place - are there set dates?
Exam dates are set nationally and cannot be changed, so it's important to plan accordingly. They are usually late spring to early summer. For example, forthcoming A-level exams are scheduled from 1st March to 31st May 2025, while GCSE exams will run from 5th May to 25th June 2025.
Can exams be taken online?
For A-level and GCSE courses, exams must be taken in person at a designated exam centre.
Are mock exams available? Are they compulsory?
Yes, we offer both compulsory Internal Mocks in the autumn (included in your course fees and delivered online) and optional External Mocks in the spring (for an additional fee, taken at an exam centre). Mock exams are a great way to prepare for the real thing, and we encourage you to take advantage of them.
How and when do I register for exams?
Exam registration opens in the autumn before the summer exam period, so if you plan to take exams next summer, you should register by November of the preceding year. You can complete the exam registration form in your student portal, and our Student Support team is available to help with the process.
Can you take exams outside of the UK?
While our MyOxbridge learning portal is accessible worldwide, most exams must be taken within the UK. Check with us for specific exam requirements to avoid any surprises.
Do I have to buy the exam from Oxbridge in order to study with you?
No, you are not obligated to purchase your exam through Oxbridge. You can either book your own exam centre independently, or take advantage of our partnerships with exam centres for a more streamlined process.
Entry Requirements
A general education up to GCSE level or equivalent is recommended for this Business A-levels course. This is an online course, so you will also need access to the Internet. This course is a difficulty level three: the equivalent difficulty of an A-level or BTEC, usually suitable for most learners of all ages.