Business Studies

Introduction to A level Business Studies video

CIE

An A level Business Studies course provides a thorough grounding in marketing, human resources, operations management, finance & accounting, strategic management and the external and macroeconomic forces on business activity all within an international context.

This is a subject which offers students opportunities to apply what they have learned to businesses in the real world be they multinationals or small local sole traders. At both AS and A2 level it focuses on the skills of knowledge and application with an emphasis on the higher order skills of analysis and evaluation. This subject lends itself to internationalism which is a school-wide focus.

SUBJECT COMBINATION AND PROGRESSION

Business Studies is particularly appropriate for students wishing to pursue a career in marketing, human resource planning, accounting and management, covering as it does a range of appropriate skills.  It provides a background of information and skills appropriate to students going on to follow either Economics or Business and Management courses.  The course requires no prior knowledge although those students who have taken IGCSE business studies will be at an advantage, as they have already laid the foundations for a number of topics. Literacy and numeracy skills are needed to succeed.

COURSE OVERVIEW

The Cambridge International Examinations syllabus 9609 is studied. This is a linear course with two examinations at the end of AS level and two examinations at the end of the A2 level.

  AS Level

Paper 1: Short answer essay (Core)

40% of total AS

Written Exam - 1 hour 15 minutes

Paper 2: Data response (Core)

60% of total AS

Written Exam - 1 hour 30 minutes

A2 Level

Case Study (Extended)

50% of total A2

Paper 3

Written Exam - 1 hour 45 minutes

30% of total A2

Paper 4

Written Exam - 1 hour 15 minutes

20% of total A2

* If the course is continued beyond AS level then the marks attained in Paper 1 and Paper 2 will contribute 50% weighting to the overall A level.

CAN I STUDY BUSINESS STUDIES?

If you have the ability to think and write clearly, to link theory with existing businesses and find interest in the topics within Business Studies, you can go ahead with confidence and study the subject.

 Sophie Bowerbank – Curriculum Leader, Humanities