Exam board: Pearsons Edexcel
Why study this course?
“Business is the creation of a customer; in other words, creating a product or service that people will pay enough for to generate profit.”
Peter Drucker
Ever wondered how your favourite brands got so big, or what it takes to launch a cool new product? A-level Business offers a dynamic insight into how the world works, from local start-ups to global corporations. It’s not just about textbooks – our curriculum helps you connect big ideas to real-life situations; making abstract terms relevant to the world around you.
You will get an insight into business concepts from marketing tricks and managing money, to building awesome teams and keeping operations running smoothly. This hands-on approach helps you sharpen essential skills like problem-solving, communicating clearly, and even start to think about how to become a leader in the future. We will explore theories and concepts through current events, learning about how business impacts everything from your daily life to global trends.
You will get unique chances to explore how business really works through our industry-led projects with businesses like King games, Bank of America and PA Consulting, as well as masterclasses with some of our corporate partners, giving you a real taste of what’s out there. Studying Business at Ada is more than just a stepping stone; this course is invaluable for understanding the economy, fostering entrepreneurial spirit and a solid launchpad for whatever you choose to do next, whether that is university or jumping straight into a fantastic career!
What will you learn?
The Edexcel A-level Business course is structured around four core themes that provide a comprehensive understanding of business operations, strategy, and context. It is assessed through three equally weighted written examinations.
Course Themes:
- Marketing and People: Explores how businesses identify and meet customer needs through market research and the marketing mix, alongside effective human resource management, including motivation, leadership, and entrepreneurial roles.
- Managing Business Activities: Focuses on the financial and operational aspects of a business, covering topics like raising and managing finance, production processes, resource management, and the impact of external influences (e.g., economic, legal).
- Business Decisions and Strategy: Delves into how businesses set objectives, make strategic decisions for growth (e.g., mergers, organic growth), and use various decision-making techniques and tools. It also examines corporate culture, ethics, and stakeholder influences.
- Global Business: Broadens the perspective to international markets, exploring globalisation, international trade, global marketing strategies, and the impact of multinational corporations.
Assessment:
The qualification is assessed through three 2-hour written examination papers,
- Paper 1 (35%): Marketing, People & Global Businesses
- Paper 2 (35%): Business Activities, Decisions & Strategy
- Paper 3 (30%): Investigating Business in a Competitive Environment
Possible Career Options Linked to Tech Industries:
Business qualification provides valuable skills for a range of tech careers, focusing on the commercial and strategic aspects of the industry such as:
- Product & Project Management: Understanding market needs, strategy, and operations is crucial for developing and delivering tech products.
- Business Analysis & Strategy: Analyzing market trends and business models to guide tech solutions and company direction.
- Digital Marketing & Sales: Applying marketing principles to promote tech products and services, and managing client relationships in the digital sector.
- Operations & Finance in Tech: Managing resources, budgets, and efficient workflows within technology companies.
- General Business Acumen: Providing a holistic view of the tech industry’s economic and competitive landscape, essential for various support and leadership roles.
Further Study & Career Opportunities:
Students with A-levels in both Business and Computing are well-positioned for a variety of university degrees that bridge the gap between technology and commerce. These qualifications provide a unique blend of technical understanding and business acumen, highly valued in today’s digital economy. Examples of further study options include:
- Business Information Systems (BIS) / Information Systems (IS):
- Business Management with Computing / Digital Busines
- Computer Science with Business / Management
- Data Science / Business Analytics
- Digital Marketing / E-commerce
Key links/ reading list / website links
Web:
Essential Business News Sources:
- The Financial Times (FT): For more in-depth analysis of global finance, economics, and business. While some content is behind a paywall, reading headlines and selected articles can be highly beneficial.
- The Economist: Offers weekly global news and analysis on politics, international relations, economics, and business. Its articles are excellent for developing analytical and evaluative skills.
- City A.M.: Focuses on business, economics, and financial news, particularly with a UK and London focus.
Wider Reading (classic & contemporary business books):
These books offer deeper insights into business concepts, leadership, and entrepreneurship, helping to broaden your understanding beyond the syllabus.
- “Shoe Dog: A Memoir by the Creator of NIKE” by Phil Knight: An engaging autobiography that chronicles the entrepreneurial journey and growth of Nike.
- “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People” by Stephen R. Covey: A classic on personal and professional effectiveness, with principles applicable to leadership and management.
- “Like A Virgin: Secrets They Won’t Teach You at Business School” by Sir Richard Branson: Provides an entrepreneurial perspective from a renowned business leader.
- “The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference” by Malcolm Gladwell: Explores how ideas, products, and behaviours spread, offering insights into marketing and consumer trends.
- “Quiet Leadership” by Carlo Ancelotti: Offers a different perspective on leadership from the world of football management, with transferable lessons for business.
Something to follow
YouTube Channels:
- Tutor2u Business: Offers a wide range of videos, including live revision sessions and explanations of key concepts for A-Level Business.
- TakingTheBiz: Provides tutorials and revision resources for both GCSE and A-Level Business, often breaking down topics into easily digestible videos.
Something to watch
- Dragons Den
- The Apprentice
- The Profit
- Dirty money
- Inside the factory