Business Studies A Level
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Gain a deeper knowledge of current commercial trends and an appreciation of the demands of the UK business environment. Develop a wide range of important problem-solving and decision-making business skills. You’ll cover topics such as marketing, accounting, finance and legal aspects of business. You’ll also find out more about the management of people and operations, external influences affecting business and the importance of objectives and strategies.
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Further Details
Pre-requisites
None
Qualification
‘A’ Level in Business Studies
Specification
AQA A-Level Business Studies (2130)
Support and benefits
Flexible terms times
Stepped learning approach
Access to a dedicated tutor and student advisors to guide you through your studies
Access to the ICS online Student Community, allowing you to interact with other students and browse our resource library
A Level Business Studies Key topics
Unit 1 - Planning and Financing a Business
Unit 2 - Managing a Business
Unit 3 - Strategies for Success
Unit 4 - The Business Environment and Managing Change
Unit 1 – Planning and Financing a Business
In the study of this unit you will examine the topic areas below in relation to the two core themes: Starting a Business and Financial Planning.
a) Starting a Business
This section provides you with an introduction to the scope of Business Studies within the context of starting a new business. You will be expected to have an understanding of the following range of activities involved in setting up a small business:
Enterprise
Generating and Protecting Business Ideas
Transforming Resources into Goods and Services
Developing Business Plans
Conducting Start-up Market Research
Understanding Markets
Choosing the Right Legal Structure for the Business
Raising Finance
Locating the Business
Employing People
b) Financial Planning
This section provides you with an understanding of key financial concepts essential for the planning of small businesses. You will be expected to carry out calculations and to be able to interpret their results.
Calculating Costs, Revenues and Profits
Using Break-Even Analysis to Make Decisions
Using Cash Flow Forecasting
Setting Budgets
Assessing Business Start-ups
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Unit 2 - Managing a Business
In the study of this unit of the AQA A Level Business Studies Course, you will examine the topic areas below in relation to the core theme of improving the effectiveness of a business. You will be able to calculate and be able to interpret data measuring the effectiveness of the business. These measurements should include: profitability, labour productivity, labour turnover, unit costs and market share.
a) Finance
This section introduces you to the importance of the management of finance. You will understand that financial measures can be used to indicate how well a business is managed and will understand actions that can be taken to improve financial performance. You will be expected to carry out calculations and to be able to interpret their results. This section builds upon ‘Financial Planning’ in Unit One.
Using Budgets
Improving Cash Flow
Measuring ad Increasing Profit
b) People in Business
This section considers the issues that managers face in relation to managing the human element to make a business more effective. You will appreciate the value of these techniques in tactical decision-making.
Improving Organisational Structures
Measuring the Effectiveness of the Workforce
Developing an Effective Workforce: Recruitment, Selection, Training
Developing and Retaining an Effective Workforce: Motivating Employees
c) Operations Management
This section should promote understanding of the importance of operational decisions in managing a business in tertiary, secondary and primary sectors. You will understand how operations management can help a business to be more effective, and the role that can be played in this by technology.
Making Operational Decisions
Developing Effective Operations: Quality
Developing Effective Operations: Customer Service
Working with Suppliers
Using Technology in Operations
d) Marketing and the Competitive Environment
In this section you will understand the importance of marketing to businesses and issues affecting their competitiveness. The study of marketing at AS Level should focus on using the results of market research and developing an appropriate and integrated marketing mix. Consideration should be given to how information technology might be used to assist marketing.
Effective Marketing
Designing and Effective Marketing Mix
Using the Marketing Mix: Product
Using the Marketing Mix: Promotion
Using the Marketing Mix: Pricing
Using the Marketing Mix: Place
Marketing and Competitiveness
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Unit 3 - Strategies for Success
In the study of this unit you will examine the topic areas below in relation to the core themes of setting objectives, measuring performance and devising strategy. The assessment for this unit will draw upon AS material which you should use to respond to A2 questions.
a) Functional Objectives and Strategies
This section introduces you to functional objectives and strategies, and examines their appropriateness in the context of corporate objectives.
Using Objectives and Strategies
b) Financial Strategies and Accounts
This section examines the financial objectives of larger businesses, the ways in which financial performance might be measured and the strategies they may deploy. It builds upon AS Finance material.
Understanding Financial Objectives
Using Financial Data to Measure and Assess Performance
Interpreting Published Accounts
Selecting Financial Strategies
Making Investment Decisions
c) Marketing Strategies
This section considers the development of marketing strategies for larger businesses through a scientific approach to decision making. It builds upon AS Marketing materials.
Understanding Marketing Objectives
Analysing Markets and Marketing
Selecting Marketing Strategies
Developing and Implementing Marketing Plans
d) Operational Strategies
This section considers the operational objectives and strategies that a business may use to achieve success in its particular market. It builds upon AS Operations materials.
Understanding Operational Objectives
Operational Strategies: Scale and Resource Mix
Operational Strategies: Innovation
Operational Strategies: Location
Operational Strategies: Lean Production
e) Human Resource Strategies
This section considers the strategies available to businesses in managing their human resources. It builds upon AS Human Resources materials.
Understanding HR Objectives and Strategies
Developing and Implementing Workforce Plans
Competitive Organisational Structures
Effective Employer/Employee Relations
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Unit 4 - The Business Environment and Managing Change
This unit is designed to be synoptic and draws upon all other units of the specification including the AS units.
It considers the relationship between businesses and external factors. It examines how external factors can impact upon businesses, and the responses they may take. The unit also examines a number of themes which are important in the strategic management of businesses, for example, leadership and corporate culture.
You will consider how businesses can manage change successfully.
This unit should be studied through a variety of real business contexts to allow you to understand how the impact and response to change varies.
a) Corporate Aims and Objectives
This section considers what the organisation is attempting to achieve, and how this helps to determine its strategies.
Understanding Mission, Aims and Objectives
b) Assessing Changes in the Business Environment
This section examines the relationships between organisations and their external environment. You will understand the opportunities and threats created by changes in the contemporary business environment. The importance of acquiring and managing information and of communicating effectively should be considered throughout.
The Relationship between Businesses ad the Economic Environment
The Relationship between Businesses and the Political and Legal Environment
The Relationship between Businesses and the Social Environment
The Relationship between Businesses and the Technological Environment
The Relationship between Businesses and the Competitive Environment
c) Managing Change
Organisations operate in a changing environment and change creates opportunities and threats.
You will understand how businesses plan for and manage change, and how external and internal change is linked.
Internal Causes of Change
Planning for Change
Key Influences on the Change Process: Leadership
Key Influences on the Change Process: Culture
Making Strategic Decisions
Implementing and Managing Change
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A Level Business Studies Course Code
H04
Technical Requirements
None
ICS Support Period
18 months
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A Level Business Studies Outline
You’ll complete six formative assessments and six exams during your course.
Assessment Breakdown
AS Units – AS Award 1131
AS Examinations
Unit 1 – BUSS1 Planning and Financing a Business
40% of AS, 20% of A Level
1 hour 15 minutes examination
60 marks
Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study.
Available January and June
Unit 2 – BUSS2 Managing a Business
60% of AS, 30% of A Level
1 hour 30 minutes examination
80 marks
Compulsory, multi-part data response questions.
Available January and June
A2 Units – A2 Award 2131A2 Examinations
Unit 3 – BUSS3 Strategies for Success
25% of A Level
1 hour 45 minutes examination
80 marks
Questions requiring extended answers based on an unseen case study drawing upon knowledge from AS units.
Available January and June
Unit 4 – BUSS4 The Business Environment and Managing Change
25% of A Level
1 hour 45 minutes examination
80 marks
Pre-release research tasks leading to the first section of a two section examination. Second section will consist of choice of essays. All questions will be essay style and synoptic therefore drawing upon knowledge from all four units.
Available January and June
Notes
Formative assessments are intended to help both you and your tutor measure your progress through the course, highlighting any areas where revision is necessary. Formative assessments do not, however, count towards your final grade.
The case study for Exams 2 and 3 is released prior to the exam. Please note that there is one case study, covering both exams.
The exams are held in January and June of each year. Please note that exam fees are additional to your course fees.
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