A Level Business Studies 2025-26

Students will study business in a variety of different contexts, for example, large and small businesses, UK and global businesses. The topics are engaging and encourage students to think critically about contemporary business issues, based on real business situations. The first year is all about understanding types of businesses and the key functional areas within a business with the second year focusing more on the overall business strategy. Students will take the AS exams at the end of year one and A level exams at the end of year two.

It should be noted also that lots of students are using A-level Business as a stepping stone into another field, perhaps onto a totally unrelated course like Pharmacy. These students have chosen A-level Business Studies because it provides an interesting and alternative A-level to study in addition to their science based choices.

• Managers, leadership and decision making
• Decision making to improve marketing performance
• Decision making to improve operational performance
• Decision making to improve financial performance
• Decision making to improve human resource performance
• Analysing the strategic position of a business
• Choosing strategic direction
• Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
• Managing strategic change

Future career opportunities may include:

• Management
• Marketing
• Human Resources
• Finance and Accounting
• Logistics
• Administration
• Production and International Business

As many Higher Education courses relate to the business world it is no surprise that many A-level Business students continue to take business related courses at University.

Students can take a Business or Management degree course before they specialise or apply for work through the many graduate recruitment schemes offered by large companies.

Alternatively, students can specialise into their chosen field such as Marketing or Accounting by doing a specific course at university.

For A Level Business you will need to have a grade 5 or above in either GCSE Mathematics or English.

For a three A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of five 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics.

For a four A Level programme you will need to have a minimum of six 9-4 grade passes at GCSE which includes English and Mathematics; it is expected that the majority of passes will be at 7-9 grade.

Our entry requirements are in place to support our students in achieving the qualifications they have chosen to study. In addition to the entry requirements, all students will be regularly assessed by East Durham College at an early stage in their study programme. This is to ensure that students are enrolled onto courses which suit their abilities – following assessment, there may be occasions when students are transferred to a relevant course at a higher or lower level in order to ensure they are enrolled on to the right course for them to achieve and progress.

Entry onto any course at EDC may have entry requirements in addition to exam results; this includes but is not limited to DBS checks, references, fitness to practice and at times physical requirements to be capable of achieving the practical elements of the course without assistance. Entry onto any course at East Durham College is subject to final approval from the Assistant Principal.

Written examinations in June. Regular homework and class assessment
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September 2025

Two years, full time.