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Business Studies A Level

Overview

IMPORTANT
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This course can be studied alongside 2 A Levels or 1 A Level and 1 vocational course (as part of our 2+1 offer).

Having an understanding of business is becoming increasingly important in a fast-paced, technological world.

This course will provide the grounding needed to cope with today's business environments. You will focus on the issues involved in a business start-up and look at how established businesses can improve effectiveness. You will also use mathematical skills to interpret quantitative data.

What does it combine with?

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What will I study?

In the first year you will start by studying businesses in a variety of contexts focussing on the issues involved in a business start-up in relation to decision making. Consideration needs to be given to research, raising finance, employing people, leadership and budgeting, as well as the factors that determine success. You will follow this by focussing on how an established business with marketing, operations, human resource and finance departments is able to improve its effectiveness. You will look at the importance of decision making in many different contexts for businesses such as technological impact, stakeholders influence and use of quantitative and qualitative data.

In the second year you will build on your knowledge base by considering more complex business scenarios. You will focus on larger businesses which may be trading in international markets and how managers might measure the performance of the business and make strategic decisions. You will study external factors such as the economic, political and technological environments and assess how they act as catalysts for change in relation to a range of real life businesses. You will also look at how firms are influenced by issues such as Corporate Social Responsibility.

Throughout both years of the course you will carry out calculations, interpret and analyse data, apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations, develop arguments and make judgements and decisions.

  • Entry requirements
    • GCSE English Language grade 5-9
    • Four GCSEs grade 4-9 including GCSE Maths
    • An overall average of a grade 4*.

    *To work out your grade average, add all of your grades together and divide by the number of GCSEs you've taken. If you need help, please contact our Enquiries Team on 0808 100 3626 or via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

  • Assessment

    This course is assessed solely by examination, with exams scheduled for May/June at the end of the second year.

  • Progression

    Further study at university-level* in a range of subject areas including economics, management and enterprise, accountancy, project management, law-related degrees and finance-related degrees.

    *As we are a partner college of Nottingham Trent University (NTU), you may qualify for various benefits should you choose to apply to NTU after completing your college course. This could include a Progress NTU offer, where you would receive an offer one grade below their standard offer. For instance, a typical offer for one of their courses might require 128 UCAS tariff points. With Progress NTU, your requirements would be 120 UCAS tariff points. For further details, please call us on 0808 100 3626.

  • Careers

    Careers are often pursued as an accountant, analyst, advertising media buyer, business advisor, franchise owner, marketing professional and more.

  • Qualifications gained
    • GCE A Level in Business
    • AQA
  • Studying A Levels at WNC

    Discover what it is really like to study with us. Explore the full range of courses available, hear from our students, see the facilities you will train in, and discover the employer partners you could work with.

    You can also browse galleries and get a real feel for college life before you apply.

    Visit the subject area page

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.

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