What's A level Business about?
A-Level Business is a course that introduces students to the principles, concepts, and practices of running and managing a business. A popular and fascinating A level it covers a wide range of topics related to business operations, strategy, decision-making, and external influences on businesses.
Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2, where they develop knowledge of core business concepts and learn to apply them to specific business contexts. By studying aspects of marketing, finance, operations, and human resources, students develop a broad understanding of how businesses actually work.
The breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding are then developed in Themes 3 and 4. Here, students are required to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues. They are taught how to measure corporate performance and analyse changing external influences on businesses, including technology, competition, the economy, and globalization. Comparing how different businesses manage change is key.
Analysis is conducted through real-life business case studies, such as Apple, Uber, and Spotify, necessitating calculations and comparisons of business performance. Students may be required to analyse, for example, the impact of Trump’s tariffs on German motor manufacturers' strategy or study the threat of new technology on traditional working practices from companies such as DeepSeek.
Students are encouraged to use an enquiring, critical, and thoughtful approach to the study of business, to understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives, and to challenge assumptions.
What background knowledge is needed?
No previous knowledge of business is required. Students should have at least a 5/4 grade in GCSE-level Maths, as this will make the financial and numerical elements more accessible. Given that the assessment includes some essay-style questions, students will need at least a Level 5 in English Language. Above all else, students should be interested in what current businesses are doing to tackle the ever-changing threats and opportunities facing industries today.
It is possible to take the subject in a year, but this best suits students with a mature approach who are prepared to read around the subject to better absorb and apply business concepts quickly and effectively.
How is it assessed?
The two most popular exam boards are Pearson and AQA. The core content of Business is similar across the main exam boards. They all assess the same core skills, helping students acquire a range of relevant business skills, including decision-making, problem-solving, challenging assumptions, and critical analysis.
Pearson assesses different parts of the specification in different exam papers, allowing for more focused revision. It also enables students to study a specific industry in more detail. This industry is set by the exam board, ensuring that students are studying areas of business that are both topical and in a state of flux. Questions range from short answers and calculations through data response to full essays.
AQA covers similar material but examines all of the content across all of the papers and does not have a single industry-focused exam paper. Questions range from multiple-choice and calculations through data response to full essays.
Where can it lead?
A-Level Business is a well-regarded and practical option. Students can use it to apply to a wide range of degree courses, including business-related disciplines such as marketing or finance, as well as a range of humanities and social sciences. It is often seen as a strong third or fourth A-Level, allowing students to develop both breadth and depth while injecting real-world knowledge into their studies.
Former Business students at our college have gone on to work in a huge range of disciplines, including finance, accounting, and media. Excitingly a number of students have embraced the concept of entrepreneurship and have gone on to set up their own successful businesses in industries ranging from advertising and PR to commercial catering and events.
Ann Freeman
Head of Economics and Business
Collingham College
