Business Studies A Level - Level 3
Overview
High demand, limited places - Apply now for September 2025!
With record-breaking applications in recent years, many courses for September 2024 were already full by spring time. Due to an increasing number of school leavers in our local area, the same high demand is expected for September 2025.
Apply early to secure your place and avoid disappointment!
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?
What our students say
Evie talks to us about the exciting opportunities studying A Levels with us has presented her, including how it differs from school, using the West Notts Travel Pass, and her plans to progress onto university.
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
- Five GCSEs grade 4-9 including GCSE English Language and Maths.
Study programmes - essential skills for employment
If you’re aged 16-18 (or 19-25 with an EHC Plan), we want to make sure you have the best possible chances of landing an awesome job once you finish college.
Therefore, if you do not have GCSE grade 4-9 in either English Language or Maths, you will study one or both of these courses alongside your full-time study programme. If you do have GCSE grade 4-9 in English Language and Maths then you will not be required to undertake these subjects. By doing so, you'll be building a stronger set of skills that will significantly boost your employability in the future.
Think of it as a chance to supercharge your knowledge and abilities. You'll be equipped with the tools necessary to tackle the world beyond college with confidence. Plus, we'll be right here to support you every step of the way.
How long is the course?
Two years.
How will I be assessed?
This course is assessed solely by examination, with exams scheduled for May/June at the end of the second year.
What does the course lead to?
Careers are often pursued as an accountant, advertising media buyer, business advisor, franchise owner, marketing professional and more.
What can I progress onto?
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.
Careers are often pursued as an accountant, analyst, advertising media buyer, business advisor, franchise owner, marketing professional and more.
*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 or discover more about this benefit here.
How do I apply?
You don’t need to apply for each A Level course you are interested in individually.
Once we have received your application form we will invite you into college where we will be able to discuss every aspect of the courses you have chosen as well as any alternatives you may be considering.
You will also have the opportunity to visit the areas of the college used for your course choices.
Apply online