Business Studies

Course Content

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Business is structured into four themes and consists of three externally examined papers. Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. Breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, with applications to a wider range of contexts and more complex business information, are developed in Themes 3 and 4, requiring students to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues.

Students will develop an understanding of:

Theme 1: Marketing and People

  • Meeting customer needs
  • The market
  • Marketing mix and strategy
  • Managing people
  • Entrepreneurs and leaders

Theme 2: Managing Business Activities

Students will develop an understanding of:

  • Raising finance
  • Financial planning
  • Managing finance
  • Resource management
  • External influences

Theme 3: Business Decisions and Strategy

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2. Students will develop an understanding of:

  • Business objectives and strategy
  • Business growth
  • Decision-making techniques
  • Influences on business decisions
  • Assessing competitiveness
  • Managing change

Theme 4: Global Business

This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1. Students will develop an understanding of:

  • Globalisation
  • Global markets and business expansion
  • Global marketing
  • Global industries and companies (multinational companies)

Lesson Structure

Students are encouraged to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of business, understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives and challenge assumptions.

Assessment Pattern

A level Examinations
June of second academic year, three exams, each 2 hours in length.

Paper 1
Content: Themes 1 and 4, 100 marks, 35% of A level

Paper 2
Content: Themes 2 and 3, 100 marks, 35% of A level

Paper 3
Content: Themes 1-4 based on a pre-released context, 100 marks, 30% of A level

Extra Information

GCE Business leads into many different pathways, from apprenticeships with multi-national corporations to degree courses in Business Management, Accountancy, Economics, etc.