GCE Business

Why Business?

The opportunities for students of Business, on completion of full-time education, are enormous. There are many possible careers within the Business world and qualifications in Business subjects are acceptable as an entry into many other careers.

The Business course offered is an exciting insight into relevant business theory and concepts supported by vocational examples. It provides an excellent foundation for a broad range of careers and further study in this field.

Course Type: A Level
Exam Board: AQA
Specific Entry Requirements:
Grade 5 Business if studied at GCSE, if not:
Grade 6 in GCSE English and Maths
Course Assessment:
Students will take 3 examinations in Year 2 with each examination having equal weighting of 33.3% each.
Contact Curriculum Leader for more information:
Miss Bladen
Download Course Leaflet
Business students can move on to Higher Education courses and careers in the following areas:
Accountancy, Business, Administration, Education, Retail, Marketing, IT/Computing, Law, Management, Public Relations, Human Resources

Course Outline

AQA Specification 7131 (Year 1), 7132 (Year 2)

Subject content
  1. What is business?
  2. Managers, leadership and decision making
  3. Decision making to improve marketing performance
  4. Decision making to improve operational performance
  5. Decision making to improve financial performance
  6. Decision making to improve human resource performance
  7. Analysing the strategic position of a business (A Level only)
  8. Choosing strategic direction (A Level only)
  9. Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies (A Level only)
  10. Managing strategic change (A Level only)

You will study five Units as follows:

 

Paper 1: Business 1
  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 80 marks in total
  • 50% of Year 1
Three compulsory sections:
  • Section A has 10 multiple choice questions (MCQs) worth 10 marks.
  • Section B has short answer questions worth approximately 20 marks.
  • Section C has two data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 25 marks.
Paper 2: Business 2

1 - 6 above

  • Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • 80 marks in total
  • 50% of AS

One compulsory case study consisting of approximately seven questions.

A Level

Paper 1: Business 1

All content above assessed.

  • Written exam: 2 hour
  • 100 marks in total
  • 33.3% of A Level weighting
Three compulsory sections:
  • Section A has 15 multiple choice questions (MCQs) worth 15 marks.
  • Section B has short answer questions worth 35 marks.
  • Section C has two essay questions (choice of one from two and one from two) each worth 25 marks.
Paper 2: Business 2
All content above assessed.
  • Written exam: 2 hour
  • 100 marks in total
  • 33.3% of A Level weighting

Three data response compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three or four part questions.

Paper 3: Business 3

All content above assessed

  • Written exam: 2 hour
  • 100 marks in total
  • 33.3% of A Level weighting

One compulsory case study followed with approximately six questions.

Sixth Form at Sandwell Academy

Important Documents

Questions or Queries?

Should you have any queries or comments please contact Miss Duncombe (Sixth Form Admissions Officer) by either:

Email: sixthformadmissions@sandwellacademy.com

Or by post:

Sixth Form Admissions Officer,
Sandwell Academy,
Halfords Lane,
West Bromwich,
West Midlands,
B71 4LG.

Please ensure that the correct postage is paid for the size of envelope used.