Description
The International A Level Business is ideal for anyone wishing to gain a knowledge and understanding of this subject or for anyone who wishes to study at a higher level at University and gain UCAS points.
This business course will cover activities such as the production, distribution, and sale of goods and services with the aim of making a profit. You will also learn about the different types of business organisations along with marketing and human resources.
Difference between Cambridge & Edexcel Exam Boards
Cambridge and Edexcel A Levels are international qualifications. Cambridge A-Levels can be taken worldwide including the United Kingdom, whereas Edexcel A-Levels can only be taken outside of the United Kingdom.
We can offer Cambridge (CIE) or Edexcel awarding bodies for this course and whilst they are very similar, you may want to look at the modules and assessments involved for each as they differ slightly. Another consideration that may help with your decision are the location of the exam centres or the exam series on offer.
Progression
The International A Level in Business will provide the necessary skills to support progression to higher education or further study in Business, as well as to a wide range of other subjects. If you are selecting more than one A Level, other subjects that compliment Business include Economics, Accounting, Law and many more.
Cambridge Specification
Awarding Body: Cambridge
Course Code: 9609
Study Hours: Recommended 360 hrs
Exams Available: June & November (also March in India only)
Cambridge International Exams (CIE)
Cambridge International AS & A Level Business allows students to experience the diverse and dynamic world within which businesses exist. With a focus on how decisions are made, students will gain the knowledge to understand how businesses operate within real contexts, analyse alternative courses of action and develop the ability to make justified recommendations. These transferable skills are essential for anybody working in a business environment and can facilitate further study within business related areas.
How will I benefit from the International A Level Business Cambridge course?
The course will enable students to:
- understand and appreciate the role of enterprise and the contribution of business to society – locally, nationally and internationally
- develop critical understanding of business organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value
- evaluate business behaviour from the perspective of a range of stakeholders and consider their relative influence on business organisations
- develop an awareness of the political, economic, social, technological, legal, environmental and ethical issues that influence or may be influenced by business activity
- apply quantitative, problem-solving, decision-making and communication skills
- develop skills and knowledge needed for further study or employment in business.
Key concepts
The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Business are:
Change
Change is the only constant. New enterprises and opportunities are created in response to change in the external environment. Change can also happen within a business, leading to success when change is handled correctly.
Context
Context is the basis for every business decision. What might be a suitable solution in one situation may be unsuitable in another. Businesses must understand and research their context to be able to make good decisions.
Decision-making
Decision-making affects all levels in a business. Stakeholders in businesses use their knowledge, apply it to a scenario, analyse the data, evaluate the arguments and then come to a decision.
Enterprise
Enterprise is the ability to seek out and successfully develop business opportunities.
Innovation
Innovation enables a business to re-invent itself and stay ahead of the competition. The business world is dynamic and companies must seek to innovate through product development, more efficient processes and finding better ways to do business.
Strategy
Strategy is about knowing where you are, where you want to get to and how you are going to get there. Being able to analyse a business situation, make choices given relevant data and then implement this effectively is key to running a successful business.
Cambridge Business Content Overview
IAS Level Topics (Year 1)
Business and its environment
- Enterprise
- Business structure
- Size of business
- Business objectives
- Stakeholders in a business
Human resource management
- Human resource management
- Motivation
- Management
Marketing
- The nature of marketing
- Market research
- The marketing mix
Operations management
- The nature of operations
- Inventory management
- Capacity utilisation and outsourcing
Finance and accounting
- Business finance
- Sources of finance
- Forecasting and managing cash flows
- Costs
- Budgets
IA2 Topics (Year 2)
Business and its environment
- External influences on business activity
- Business strategy
Human resource management
- Organisational structure
- Business communication
- Leadership
- Human resource management strategy
Marketing
- Marketing analysis
- Marketing strategy
Operations management
- Location and scale
- Quality management
- Operations strategy
Finance and accounting
- Financial statements
- Analysis of published accounts
- Forecasting and managing cash flows
- Investment appraisal
- Finance and accounting strategy
Cambridge Assessment
There are three routes learners can take when completing exams for the Business course with Cambridge
- AS Level Qualification only – Learners take all AS exam papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) in one exam sitting.
- Full A Level over 2 years – At the end of year 1, learners take all AS exam papers (Paper 1 & Paper 2) in one exam sitting. In a separate exam sitting at the end of year 2, learners then take all A2 papers (Paper 3 & Paper 4). If learners achieve a pass in all four papers, they will be awarded their Full A Level in Accounting.
- Full A Level – Learners take all papers for AS and A2 in one sitting (Papers 1, Paper 2, Paper 3 & Paper 4).
Exam Papers
Exam papers are structured as follows:
- Paper 1 – Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Section A: four short answer questions. There are two parts to the first three questions.
Section B: one essay from a choice of two. There are two parts to each essay.
- Paper 2 – Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Two data response questions. There are six parts to each question.
- Paper 3 – Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
Five questions based on a case study. Questions are based on the A Level subject content; knowledge of material from the AS Level subject content is assumed.
- Paper 4 – Time: 1 hour 15 mins
Two essay questions based on a case study. Questions are based on the A Level subject content; knowledge of material from the AS Level subject content is assumed.
Edexcel Specification
Awarding Body: Edexcel
Course Codes: XBS11/YBS11
Study Hours: Recommended 300 – 360 hrs
Exams Available: January, June & October
Pearson Edexcel
The Edexcel International A’ Level Business Course will help you develop an enthusiasm for studying business and allow you to gain a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts. You will develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants.
How will I benefit from the International A Level Business Edexcel course?
The aims and objectives of this qualification is to enable students to:
- develop an enthusiasm for studying business
- gain an holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts
- develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants
- understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives
- generate enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems and issues
- be aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals
- acquire a range of relevant business and generic skills, including decision making, problem solving, the challenging of assumptions and critical analysis
- apply numerical skills in a range of business contexts.
Key concepts
Reflects today’s global world
Students develop an understanding of current global issues that impact on business, preparing them for their next steps in today’s global world.
Development of quantitative skills
Students develop these skills throughout the content of the course and are required to apply these skills to relevant business contexts within the assessment.
Helps develop a holistic understanding of business
The assessment culminates with a final paper that draws on the knowledge and skills students developed from Units 1, 2 and 3.
Provides a real business focus
The content encourages students to contextualise the theory and respond to real-life international business case studies and evidence in the assessments.
Edexcel Business Content Overview
IAS Level Topics (Year 1)
Marketing and people
- Meeting customer needs
- The market
- Marketing mix and strategy
- Managing people
- Entrepreneurs and leaders
Managing business activities
- Planning a business and raising finance
- Financial planning
- Managing finance
- Resource management
- External influences
IA2 Topics (Year 2)
Business decisions and strategy
- Business objectives and strategy
- Business growth
- Decision-making techniques
- Influences on business decisions
- Assessing competitiveness
- Managing change
Global business
- Globalisation
- Global markets and business expansion
- Global marketing
- Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)
Edexcel Assessment
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Subsidiary in Business
This qualification consists of two externally-examined units. The International Advanced Subsidiary is the first half of the International Advanced Level qualification and consists of two IAS units, Units 1 and 2. This qualification may be awarded as a qualification on it’s own or may contribute 50 per cent towards the International Advanced Level qualification.
Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level in Business
This qualification consists of four externally-examined units. The International Advanced Level consists of the two IAS units (Units 1 and 2) plus two IA2 units (Units 3 and 4). Students wishing to take the International Advanced Level must, therefore, complete all four units.
Exam Papers
Exam papers are structured as follows:
- Paper 1: Marketing and People – Time: 2 hours
Section A: Short- and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks). Section B: Same format as Section A, based on different sources (30 marks). Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
- Paper 2: Managing Business Activities – Time: 2 hours
Section A: Short- and extended-response questions based on sources (30 marks). Section B: Same format as Section A, based on different sources (30 marks). Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
- Paper 3: Business decisions and strategy – Time: 2 hours
Section A: Short and extended-response questions, based on sources (40 marks). Section B: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks). Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
- Paper 4: Global business – Time: 2 hours
Section A: Short and extended-response questions, based on sources (40 marks). Section B: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks). Section C: One 20-mark essay question, based on one or more sources (20 marks).
