Business

Business

Qualification

AS & A2

Results

A* - A grade: 37%

Awarding Body

WJEC

This course introduces learners to the dynamic business environment and the importance of entrepreneurial activity in creating business opportunities and sustaining business growth. Learners will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of essential skills required for higher education and employment. Learners will have the opportunity to develop awareness of contemporary business issues relevant to the Welsh business environment.

The specification focuses on different types of organisations in various business sectors and environments and recognises that they face varying degrees of competition.

AS Level (year 1)

Unit 1: Business Opportunities (written exam)
This unit focuses on new business start-ups, and small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The content in this section is based around the concept of starting a new business and the issues that surround the process of planning a new business.

Unit 2: Business Functions (written exam)
This unit broadens the context for learners and will include all types of business organisations, ranging from recently formed small businesses to well-established multinational companies. Learners need to understand that, in order to succeed in a competitive market, all businesses have to consider the core functions of business.

A2 Level (year 2)

Unit 3: Business Analysis and Strategy (written exam)
The emphasis in this unit is on understanding and using analytical techniques and developing appropriate business strategies. Learners need to develop analytical skills to investigate business opportunities and problems in a number of different contexts and evaluate a range of quantitative and qualitative data to suggest possible strategic responses from businesses.

Unit 4: Business in a Changing World (written exam)
This unit focuses on how businesses adapt to succeed in a dynamic external environment. Learners need to understand that the business world never stands still and there are continuous opportunities and threats to businesses of all sizes. Regardless of size, businesses now operate in a global marketplace and students need to consider a wide range of external factors that affect their day-to-day activities, decision-making and strategy.

The full A Level in Business provides the basis for students who wish to proceed to Higher Education to study law, business management, marketing, accountancy, finance, and banking.

6 grades C’s at GCSE, including a grade C in GCSE Maths and a grade C in GCSE English.

A grade C in a discursive subject like History, Religious Studies or English Literature can be used as an alternative for English.