A Level Business Studies

What will you study and other information about A Level Business Studies

• What will I study?
  • Theme 1 – Marketing and People Have you ever looked at the likes of Richard Branson, Bill Gates or Karen Brady and wished that you had their success? In this theme, you will explore what makes an entrepreneur a success and how to turn a simple idea into a commercial success through looking at the importance of market research, deciding on a target audience to creating an effective marketing plan. You will then act as business leaders and look at the best ways to motivate your staff and the importance of keeping them happy.
  • Theme 2 – Managing Business Activities Have you ever wondered how Coca Cola can make 1.8 billion drinks a day or what led to the collapse of some of our most loved brands like Woolworths and Toys R Us? In this theme, you will explore the importance of finance and whether a bank loan is the best source of finance to why some businesses decide to create a mass amount of products at a time whereas others only create a select number.
  • Theme 3 – Business Decision and Strategy Have you ever stopped and thought about the brands that you wear/buy and think ‘where did this come from?’ You will be surprised just how many brands have a bit of a ‘dark side’ to them. From Primark and the poor health and safety of workers to Nike and their use of sweatshops. In this theme, you will look at what makes an ethical business, the methods business use to help decide on their next strategy and the importance of managing your workforce to help achieve your strategic aim.
  • Theme 4 – Global Business Ever wondered how Apple, Google, Ford and many other massive companies achieved their global success? In this theme, you will explore those avenues from the targeting of growing economies around the world, to China becoming the global manufacturer for many of the goods we buy today. You will also look at how governments are trying to take back a bit of control where you will look at BREXIT and whether Donald Trump’s policies will have any effect on making America great again.
• Equipment and Financial contributions

  The Business and IT department runs several trips and educational visits throughout the year to enhance the experience of studying subjects within the department. There may be other non-essential educational visits that students can access during the two-year course, such as visits to universities, conferences, businesses and many more.

  Students are requested to purchase a non scientific calculator (as mobile phones are not permitted to be used as calculators within lessons and exams)

  Students are encouraged to buy this textbook:

  • Hodder Edexcel A Level Business – My Revision Notes – A great revision book containing all content from all 4 themes for Business. Includes a handy revision checklist and small questions as student’s make their way through. CAN BE PURCHASED FROM COLLEGE FOR £10 (RRP is £20).
  • Tutor2u Calculation Book – A book testing you on all quantitative skills that can be tested in the final exam. (£5 from college)
  • Tutor2u Knowledge Book – A book testing your knowledge of all topics from all themes. (£5 from college)
• Field trips, projects and employability opportunities

  Throughout your two years studying Business, you will have plenty of opportunities to immerse yourself in the subject. We offer a range of international and UK-based trips which include a trip to New York City, where you will experience the major landmarks that have made the city one of the biggest business districts in the world. We offer you the chance to interact with real-life business people and gain insight into the challenges they have faced and how they built up their businesses. In the past, this has included former Dragons Den Investor Piers Linney, who gave a well-received talk on his business successes and the hurdles he had to overcome to get to where he is today.

  As a department, we also offer a range of employability opportunities to enhance your skills to gain the career you want to aim for. This includes the Career Ready programme which is a national program designed to match you up with business mentors and gain work experience with national and international companies to further develop your aspirations for the future. We work in partnership with UCLAN, Lancaster University, and UA92 as well as businesses such as Blackpool and Wyre Council, Victrex, and BAE to offer a variety of support to achieve your next steps.