Business Studies

AS and A Level

Why choose Business Studies?

If you choose Business Studies you will gain a good understanding of:

The internal functions of contemporary business organisations of all types.

The dynamic external environment within which businesses operate and the effects this can have upon decision-making within a business.

Major topical issues that can generate change for business organisations and the ways in which businesses respond to these issues.

The range of stakeholder perspectives that can be taken on business activities.

You will also gain a range of important and transferable skills:

Data skills – you will be expected to manipulate data in a variety of forms and to interpret their results.

Presenting arguments and making judgments and justified recommendations on the basis of the available evidence.

Recognising the nature of problems, solving problems and making decisions using appropriate business tools and methods.

Planning work, taking into account the demands of the task and the time available to complete it.

Conducting research into a specific theme in preparation for one or more tasks.

Challenging your own assumptions using evidence that has become available.

Specification: AQA Business Studies   AS 1131 A 2131
Click here to download the current specification for this A level course.

AS
At AS Level, this specification introduces candidates to the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. It then focuses on how established businesses might improve their effectiveness by making tactical decisions at a functional level.

The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business

Topic list
Starting a Business - The challenges and issues of starting a business; enterprise; entrepreneurs.
Financial Planning - Essential financial concepts needed to start a business including: calculating costs, revenues, profits; using a break-even analysis and cash-flow forecasting.

Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 15 minutes (60 marks)
Weighting: 40% of total AS marks/ 20% of total A Level marks
Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study.

Unit 2: Managing a Business

Topic list
Finance - budgets, improving cash flow and profits.
People in Business - organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation.
Operations Management - operational decisions, quality, customer service, suppliers, technology.
Marketing and Competition- designing and using an effective marketing mix, market conditions and competitiveness.

Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting: 60% of total AS marks / 30% of the total A Level marks
Compulsory, multi-part data response questions.

A2
At A2, this specification considers strategies for larger businesses and how managers might measure the performance of the business. Finally, it considers the effects that external factors can have on businesses and how a business can plan for and manage change, including leadership style and change in business culture.

The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Strategies for Success

Topic list
Functional Objectives and Strategies - examining their appropriateness in the context of corporate objectives.
Financial Strategies and Accounts - making investment information, measuring performance, financial decisions.
Marketing Strategies - analysing markets, and selecting successful marketing strategies, developing marketing plans.
Operations Strategies - operational issues, location, innovation, improving operational efficiency.
Human Resource Strategies - workforce planning, adapting organisational structures, successful employee relations.

Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks
Questions requiring extended answers drawing upon AS materials. The focus will be on measuring business performance and assessing appropriate functional strategies to achieve success.
Unseen case study with a range of numerical data.

Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change

Topic list
Corporate Aims and Objectives - purpose and nature of corporate strategies, stakeholder perspectives.
Assessing Change in the Business Environment - the effects of changes in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations.
Managing Change - planning for change, leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions, decision making.

Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks
A two part paper - Section A will contain questions based upon prior research. Recent topics have been “The Global Economy” and “Businesses response to the recession”.
Section B will be a choice of essay titles from which the candidate will select one. This will be a synoptic paper and draw on all the specification.