Fast Track A Level Business

Fast Track A Level Business Course Content

The whole ‘A’ level has FOUR (4) specific units of study, which are sub-divided into FOUR (4) Units of learning, these are:

Fast Track A Level Business Unit 1 – Marketing and People

In this theme, students are introduced to the market, explore the marketing and people functions and investigate entrepreneurs and business start up. This theme enables students to understand how businesses identify opportunities and to explore how businesses focus on developing a competitive advantage through interacting with customers. Students develop an understanding of how businesses need to adapt their marketing to operate in a dynamic business environment. This theme also considers people, exploring how businesses recruit, train, organise and motivate employees, as well as the role of enterprising individuals and leaders. Students must investigate different types and sizes of organisation in various business sectors and environments, and in local, national and global contexts. To develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in business, students need to have acquired competence in quantitative skills that are relevant to and applied in the context of this theme.

Fast Track A Level Business Unit 2 – Managing Business Activities

In this theme, students explore the finance and operations functions, and investigate external influences on business. This theme enables students to develop an understanding of raising and managing finance, and measuring business performance. The theme outlines the importance of using resources efficiently within a business to ensure that goods or services can be delivered effectively and efficiently, and to a high quality. Students also consider the external influences that have an impact on businesses, including economic and legal factors. Students must investigate different types and sizes of organisation in various business sectors and environments, and in local, national and global contexts. To develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in business, students need to have acquired competence in quantitative skills that are relevant to and applied in the context of this theme.

Fast Track A Level Business Unit 3 – Business Decisions and Strategy

In this theme, students develop their understanding of the concepts introduced in Theme 2 and explore influences on business strategy and decision-making. This theme moves from functions to strategy, enabling students to develop their understanding of the core concepts and to take a strategic view of business opportunities and issues. Students analyse corporate objectives and strategy against financial and non-financial performance measures and how businesses grow, and develop an understanding of the impact of external influences. The theme covers the causes and effects of change and how businesses mitigate risk and uncertainty. Students must investigate different types and sizes of organisation in various business sectors and environments, and in local, national and global contexts. To develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in business, students need to have acquired competence in quantitative skills that are relevant to and applied in the context of this theme.

Fast Track A Level Business Unit 4 – Global Business

In this theme, students develop their understanding of the concepts introduced in Theme 1 and explore business activity in a global context. Students investigate businesses that trade on a global scale and explore their reasons for doing so. Students develop an understanding of the globally competitive environment and consider the ethical and moral dimensions of global business activities. Students must investigate different types and sizes of organisation in various business sectors and environments, and in local, national and global contexts. To develop their knowledge, skills and understanding in business, students need to have acquired competence in quantitative skills that are relevant to and applied in the context of this theme.

Further Reading

Although the course programme is ‘self contained’ the student may wish to obtain further materials in regards to learning. The following materials are in the main useful, but not essential to guide learning: –

Textbooks

Edexcel Business AS/A Textbook J. Jones et-al 2015 Pearson Pub.

Andrew Northedge – The Good Study Guide Open University.

All of the above can also be obtained in an electronic format.

Assessment

Awarding Body Syllabus

The course does not as standard have any ‘course work’ element and is therefore, has an end loaded final assessment by a THREE (3) papers across the four syllabus units of learning, that amount to 6 hours in total examination time, which are divided into TWO (4) units (themes)studied.

To ensure that the four assessment objectives (AOs) are clearly placed and assessed prior to the final examination, the TMA’s are weighted in accordance with these AO statements below:

AO1: Demonstrate knowledge of terms, concepts, theories, methods and models to show an understanding of how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to business issues.

AO2: Apply knowledge and understanding to various business contexts to show how individuals and organisations are affected by and respond to issues.

AO3: Analyse issues within business, showing an understanding of the impact on individuals and organisations of external and internal influences.

AO4: Evaluate qualitative and quantitative evidence to make informed judgements and propose evidence-based solutions to business issues.