Business

A-Level Business investigates the nature and management of organisations including small private firms, large public companies and not-for-profit concerns. 

The course has been designed to provide students with a critical understanding of the internal functions of contemporary organisations of all types and the dynamic external environment within which businesses operate. The principles of management and decision-making are examined and applied to case studies, helping students to understand how organisations face a number of interrelated problems. 

The A-Level Business specification does not require students to have taken GCSE Business but they are expected to follow business developments and think critically about contemporary business issues. 

Much of the assessment material is based on real business situations, examining and thinking critically about them to give students a thorough grounding in what really matters in modern businesses. Students are introduced to the challenges and issues involved in a business such as research and planning, as well as the factors that determine success. 

The course develops skills such as interpreting data, developing an analytical argument and making judgements based on available evidence, which will help students in their other A-Level subjects and at university. By the end of the course, students should have a good understanding of the skills needed for successful business management and will be familiar with problem solving techniques. 

The A-Level examination consists of three written papers, each two hours long. Questions range from multiple choice, short answer and data response to essays. 

A-Level Business is excellent preparation for higher education study in related fields of Business Management and Economics. It can also be linked with another subject to provide a wide range of undergraduate alternatives, e.g. marketing combined with a modern foreign language. 

The department offers students the opportunity to take part in exciting enrichment opportunities such as the GAIN Investment Challenge and Liverpool University’s Start-up School. We have strong links within industry and local universities, while our strong alumni network provides career development opportunities, practical support and advice to make the world of business come alive.