Business Studies (A-level)

This A-level Business course uses real-world industry projects to teach you essential topics like marketing and finance while building your problem-solving and leadership skills.

Why Study A-Level Business?

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’ll 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 becoming a leader in the future. We’ll explore theories and concepts through current events, learning about how business impacts everything from your daily life to global trends.

You’ll 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!

Course Specifics

What you’ll learn

The Edexcel A-level Business course is structured around four core themes that provide a comprehensive understanding of business operations, strategy, and context.

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.

How will I be assessed?

Exam board: Pearsons Edexcel

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

A-level Headlines

20%

A*- A

37%

A*- B

73%

A*- C

More results

Where will this take me?

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 include:

Business Information Systems (BIS) / Information Systems (IS)

Business Management with Computing / Digital Business

Computer Science with Business / Management

Data Science / Business Analytics, Digital Marketing / E-commerce

Business qualifications also provide valuable skills for a range of tech careers, focusing on the commercial and strategic aspects of the industry such as:

Early career examples:

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.

Key links / reading lists / website links:

Access recommended reading lists, essential websites, and primary sources for Business.

Access here

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

Apply for september 2026