Exam Board – AQA

Qualification – A Level 7132

Entry requirements – 5 GCSEs at grades 9-4, including a grade 5 in English and a grade 5 in maths

Course specification

Studying business at A Level at Tuxford Academy allows students to study a course that is both varied and interesting using excellent computer facilities. Studying business allows students to actively experience the business environment whilst developing transferable skills that will aid them in the business world such as team working, communication skills and time management in conjunction with developing analysis and evaluation.

“The topics studied are both interesting and enjoyed by students due to the dynamic nature of the course. I would fully recommend undertaking business at Tuxford due to the excellent teaching and facilities as well as how stimulating, yet fascinating, the course is.”

– Student

There are six themes covered in the first year of the A Level Business course.

Theme 1: what is business?

This looks at the nature and purpose of business, understanding different business forms and understanding that businesses operate within an external environment.

Theme 2: managers, leadership and decision making

This considers the roles of management, leadership & decision making and the role and importance of stakeholders.

Theme 3: decision making to improve marketing performance

This looks at how developments in technology are affecting marketing decision making and activities, the ethical and environmental influences on marketing decisions, how marketing
decisions help improve competitiveness and the interrelationship between marketing decisions and other functions.

Theme 4: decision making to improve operational performance

This looks at how decision making and activities are affected by operations due to more online businesses, better links with customers, suppliers and inventory control.

Theme 5: decision making to improve financial performance

This considers how technology is affecting financial decision making and business activities such as crowd funding.

Theme 6: decision making to improve human resources

This considers the changing nature of work, the skills that are required and ways of working such as tele-working.

The full A Level comprises the above plus four additional themes:

  • theme 7: analysing the strategic position of a business
  • theme 8: choosing strategic decision
  • theme 9: strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
  • theme 10: managing strategic change

You will be assessed by three two-hour exams, each worth 33% of your final grade.

What doors does this open up for me?

This course gives a good foundation for higher education or employment opportunities in the business sector; however the skills of analysis and evaluation developed during the course will be valuable for any future routes.