A-Level Business Course Structure and Teaching Approach

Exam Boards: AQA, OCR, Edexcel

Course Structure

The A-Level Business course dives deep into the strategies, challenges, and operations of businesses in dynamic environments. It equips students with analytical, evaluative, and decision-making skills needed to excel in exams and develop business acumen for higher education or career opportunities.

Topics Covered (Aligned with Exam Boards)

Core Topics (Common to AQA, OCR, and Edexcel):

• Business Fundamentals (10 hours)
  • What is Business? Objectives, Ownership, and Stakeholders.
  • Business Environments: Legal, Economic, Social, and Technological Factors.
• Marketing and Market Research (20 hours)
  • Market Positioning and Competitive Advantage.
  • The Marketing Mix: Product, Price, Place, Promotion.
  • Market Research Methods and Data Analysis.
• Operations Management (20 hours)
  • Production Methods: Lean Production, Quality Management.
  • Supply Chain and Inventory Management.
  • Technology and Innovation in Operations.
• Finance and Accounting (25 hours)
  • Sources of Finance: Equity, Debt, and Internal Sources.
  • Financial Statements: Income Statements, Balance Sheets, and Cash Flow Forecasts.
  • Ratio Analysis: Liquidity, Profitability, Efficiency, and Gearing.
• Human Resource Management (20 hours)
  • Organizational Design: Hierarchical, Matrix, and Flat Structures.
  • Workforce Planning and Recruitment Strategies.
  • Motivation Theories (Maslow, Herzberg, Taylor).
• Strategic Decision Making (30 hours)
  • SWOT and PESTLE Analysis.
  • Strategic Models: Ansoff Matrix, Porter’s Five Forces, Boston Matrix.
  • Managing Change: Lewin's Force Field Analysis, Kotter’s Change Model.
• Global Business (15 hours)
  • Globalization and International Markets.
  • Multinational Corporations and Trade Barriers.
  • Ethics and Sustainability in Global Business.
• Examination Preparation (10 hours)
  • Structuring Responses: Data Response and Essay Writing.
  • Case Study Analysis and Application of Theory.

Exam Board-Specific Emphasis:

• AQA: Emphasis on quantitative skills and the ability to analyze and evaluate real-world business scenarios.
• OCR: A focus on contemporary issues, such as technology, globalization, and ethical considerations.
• Edexcel: Strong integration of international business perspectives and advanced strategic models.

Teaching Approach

• Interactive and Practical Learning: Real-life case studies from businesses like Amazon, Apple, and Tesla to contextualize theories. Group projects, such as creating business plans or conducting market research.
• Exam-Focused Preparation: Weekly practice tests with a focus on past papers. Mastery of long-answer questions requiring analysis, evaluation, and justification.
• Step-by-Step Concept Mastery: Breaking down complex concepts into digestible sections. Clear explanations of key business models and frameworks.
• Engaging Resources: Board-specific notes and summaries tailored to AQA, OCR, or Edexcel. Visual aids like diagrams, flowcharts, and videos.
• Personalized Feedback: Regular feedback on assignments and practice essays. Individualized support to address weak areas.

Completion Time

The course is designed to be completed in 140-150 hours, depending on the exam board and student pace.

• Weekly Schedule: 3-4 hours per week (10-12 months).
• Intensive Option: 6-7 hours per week (6-8 months).

Additional Support

• Trial Classes: A free or discounted 1-hour session to introduce students to the course.
• Flexible Payment Options: Weekly or monthly payments. Upfront payment discount of 5-10%.
• Revision and Crash Courses: Intensive revision during holidays or prior to exams.
• University and Career Guidance: Assistance with UCAS applications and personal statements for business-related courses.
• Entrepreneurship Coaching (Optional): Workshops on developing and pitching business ideas.