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International Home Study

International A Level Business Course

This International A Level Business is designed to engage students through topics and issues that are relevant in today’s society – they will study key contemporary developments such as digital technology and business ethics, and globalisation is covered throughout the topics.

Students will develop the knowledge and skills needed to analyse data, think critically about issues and make informed decisions – all skills that are needed for further study and employment.

a-level-business-international

Enrolment Fee:

£395.00

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Description

This 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. You will also find this course extremely valuable if you are looking for a progression route for further training whilst employed.

Our courses at International Home Study allow our students to work at their own pace and we work to ensure all our student’s needs are met. Our resources will cover the requirements of the course making sure you stay on track with the subject you choose.

Support

The course will be delivered online including Tutor Support for two years. All assignments are marked by one of our professional Tutors who will offer regular feedback and guide you through your course. Postal assignments cannot be accepted without prior permission from the tutor and you must have access to email in order to contact your Tutor.

You will be provided with the telephone number for your dedicated Student Support Team who will be available for any other queries that you may have whilst completing your course. You can be assured that you will receive unlimited support for your home study course, so there is no need to struggle or feel isolated during your studies.

Assessment

The course contains a number of assignments which your tutor will mark and give you valuable feedback on. You will also have access to a range of online resources.

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations at an approved centre when an examination forms part of the course. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

Whats included?

Students will be provided with logins for the student portal where they will find all the study materials they need to complete their course. They will also be provided with an e-textbook to assist them in completing their assignments.

Students will be provided with a Tutor who will help guide them through their course, and their Tutor will expect them to submit a number of assignments in order that their progress can be monitored. These assignments will be graded for them and feedback provided. You will also be able to ask the Tutor any questions about the course or for more help if needed. Once their course has been completed, they will then be allocated practice exam papers to ensure that they are familiar with the procedure and layout of their exams. Learners will be expected to complete these under exam conditions (i.e.. stick to the time scales allowed and try to find somewhere quiet), their Tutor can then provide them with a grade and feedback. More practice papers can be provided if required.

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. Both exam boards offer a similar specification however different courses can have a different structure. Both the Cambridge and Edexcel courses are full A Level qualifications.

For the sciences, (biology, chemistry and physics) there are some differences between the specifications. With Edexcel all of the specification is taught in theory and as a result you will be assessed by written exam papers, including the practical element. If you sat the sciences with Cambridge, you will have to perform the practical element at a nearby centre, and this is not optional.

Fees

Course fees for payment in full include:

  • Assessment and feedback on all assignments.
  • Access to your personal Tutor via our online portal.
  • Access to a range of online resources, student materials, assessments, assignments, eBooks etc
  • Practice exam papers to prepare you for the real thing.
  • Help with UCAS application if attending University.
  • Tutor references and predicted grades once a satisfactory amount of work has been completed.
  • Help finding an exam centre for you to sit your exam.
 

Cambridge (2022)

Awarding Body: Cambridge

Course Code: 9609

Study Hours:  Recommended 300 – 360 hrs

Exams Available: June & November (also March in India only)


For exams in 2022

The key concepts for Cambridge International AS & A Level Business Studies are:

Change

Change is the only constant. Exciting new enterprises are often created in response to economic, cultural or technological changes. Existing businesses must adapt to change if they are to survive and grow.

Management

Management is relevant to every person in a business. Good leadership, strong motivation in workers, effective systems and clear communication are hallmarks of successful businesses.

Customer focus

Customer focus means a business will design and produce goods and services that people want to buy. Customers provide the revenue which sustains a business. Successful businesses really understand their customers and strive to provide products that their customers love.

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’.

Creating value

Creating value is the core reason why any organisation exists. Effective organisations aim to maximise stakeholder value. For most businesses this will be about maximising shareholder value, but social enterprises will also have other, non-financial, aims. Stakeholders also need to measure the value that is created.

Strategy

Strategy is about knowing where you are, where you want to get to and how you are going to get there. Managers need to think about, decide on and put into action major long term plans – such as buying another business, entering a new market or developing a new technology.

Key Info:

Modules for AS Level:

1.Business and environment

  • Enterprise
  • Business structure
  • Size of business
  • Business objectives
  • Stakeholders in a business
  1. People in organisations
  • Management and leadership
  • Motivation
  • Human resource management
  1. Marketing
  • What is marketing?
  • Market research
  • The marketing mix
  1. Operations and project management
  • The nature of operations
  • Operations planning
  • Inventory management
  1. Finance and accounting
  • The need for business finance
  • Sources of finance
  • Costs
  • Accounting fundamentals
  • Forecasting cash flows and managing working capital

A Level Candidates also study these additional topics:

1.Business and environment

  • External influences on business activity
  1. People In organisations
  • Organisational structure
  • Business communication
  1. Marketing
  • Marketing planning
  • Globalisation and international marketing
  1. Operations and project management
  • Capacity utilisation
  • Lean production and quality management
  • Project management
  1. Finance and accounting
  • Budgets
  • Contents of published accounts
  • Analysis of published accounts
  • Investment appraisal
  1. Strategic management
  • What is strategic management?
  • Strategic analysis
  • Strategic choice
  • Strategic implementation

Exam Papers:

Paper 1

Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

Short answer and essay

40 Marks

Paper 2

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Two data response

60 Marks

Paper 3

Time: 3 hours

Five questions and one essay (from a choice of two) based on a case study, based on the additional A Level syllabus content and also assumes knowledge and understanding of the AS Level syllabus content

100 marks

Cambridge (from 2023)

Awarding Body: Cambridge

Course Code: 9609

Study Hours:  Recommended 360 hrs

Exams Available: June & November (also March in India only)


For exams in  2023- 2025

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.

Key Info:

Modules for AS Level:

1.Business and its environment

  • Enterprise
  • 2 Business structure
  • 3 Size of business
  • 4 Business objectives
  • 5 Stakeholders in a business

2.Human resource management

  • Human resource management
  • Motivation
  • Management

3.Marketing

  • The nature of marketing
  • Market research
  • The marketing mix

4.Operations management

  • The nature of operations
  • Inventory management
  • Capacity utilisation and outsourcing

5.Finance and accounting

  • Business finance
  • Sources of finance
  • Forecasting and managing cash flows
  • Costs
  • Budgets

A Level Candidates also study these additional topics:

6.Business and its environment

  • External influences on business activity
  • Business strategy

7.Human resource management

  • Organisational structure
  • Business communication
  • Leadership
  • Human resource management strategy

8.Marketing

  • Marketing analysis
  • Marketing strategy

9.Operations management

  • Location and scale
  • Quality management
  • Operations strategy

10.Finance and accounting

  • Financial statements
  • Analysis of published accounts
  • Forecasting and managing cash flows
  • Investment appraisal
  • Finance and accounting strategy

Exam Papers:

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.

40 Marks

Paper 2

Time: 1 hour 30 minutes

Two data response questions. There are six parts to each question.

60 Marks

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.

60 marks

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.

40 marks.

Edexcel

Awarding Body: Edexcel 

Course Codes: XBS11/YBS11

Study Hours:  Recommended 300 – 360 hrs

Exams Available: January, June & October 


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.

Key Info:

Modules for AS Level:

1.Marketing and people

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

2.Managing business activities

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

A Level Candidates also study these additional topics:

  1. Business decisions and strategy
  • Business objectives and strategy
  • Business growth
  • Decision-making techniques
  • Influences on business decisions
  • Assessing competitiveness
  • Managing change
  1. Global business
  • Globalisation
  • Global markets and business expansion
  • Global marketing
  • Global industries and companies (multinational corporations)

Exam Papers:

Paper 1: Marketing and People

Time: 2 hours

Availability: January, June and October

Assessment overview:

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).

80 Marks

Paper 2: Managing Business Activities

Time: 2 hours

Availability: January, June and October

Assessment Overview:

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).

80 Marks

Paper 3: Business decisions and strategy

Time: 2 hours

Availability: January, June and October

Assessment Overview:

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).

80 Marks

Paper 4: Global business

Time: 2 hours

Availability: January, June and October

Assessment Overview:

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).

80 Marks

Q & A

You do not need any prior learning knowledge or experience to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone who wishes to take part in a highly rewarding home study course, although you would be expected to have a reasonable standard of literacy.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 2 years from initial registration with the full support of your Tutor. You do not have to wait until September, when a traditional school starts. 

Once you enrol, you will have access to our online portal 24/7. Here you will find study materials that have been specially prepared by your tutor, there will be assessments, study notes, eBooks and assignments all relating to your course. Everything in this course is structured to follow the course specification, so all topics and units cover everything you need to learn. Your tutor will mark your work and give you written feedback on areas you need to improve or explain what you have done well. You can also ask your tutor questions if you get stuck on a topic or need something explaining a little more. 

When you approach the exams, your tutor will set you a series of practise exam papers so that you can know what to expect in your exam, and you can go into them feeling confident.

You will be provided with eBooks for this course. If you want to purchase physical books in addition, then we can provide you with the book ISBN numbers.

Students will be required to arrange and pay for their examinations (including any practicals they wish to take) at an approved centre. We can provide an extensive list of these centres for you.

Most of our A Levels are available internationally. We offer A Levels with three different awarding bodies, AQA, Cambridge and Edexcel. If the course is only available via the AQA awarding body then of course you can still take our course, however the exams must be taken in the UK.

Cambridge, and Edexcel both have international exam centres, so you may be able to take the exams locally to you. Should you need any help, then please do get in touch and we can assist you on this. 

We recommend that you are able to dedicate between 300 and 360 hours’ study time, plus additional time for completing assignments.

Yes, you can work at your own pace to complete this course. Despite having 24 months Tutor Support, once you enrol you will be asked when you wish to complete, and your tutor can work along side you to achieve this.

For example, any A-Level course undertaken has a recommended 360 guided learning hours. Breaking down a 360 hour course into 12 weeks, you would need to be able to commit to 30 hours per week of studying. It is entirely up to you the amount of time you can commit to studying. But with online learning, having the flexibility is a real advantage. This allows you to set the pace. Take your time or Fast-track, get the qualification when you need it.

Yes you will gain UCAS points and these depend on your final grade once you have completed your exams. 

For more information about UCAS points click here

All of our A Level awarding bodies will give you a full A Level qualification. There will be slight differences between the specifications and what you will actually learn. 

For the Science courses (Biology, Chemistry, and Physics), there would be a difference in how you sit practical elements. 

AQA offers practicals but they are optional.

With the Cambridge exam board, you will be expected to perform the practical elements, they are compulsory. Which means finding an exam centre that has a lab for you to complete this. 

With Edexcel, the practical elements are all taught in theory and are assessed via a written exam, therefore you can sit your full exam at a typical Edexcel approved exam centre. 

More information about science practicals can be found here

In most cases yes, what we would ask is for the course codes that you have taken in sixth form/college and we will see if we can match them up. 

In most cases you can, If you go to the individual course page you should be able to see if this option is available for you. 

It is recommended that you aim to book your examinations 4/6 month prior to sitting them to avoid late entry fee charges.  Additionally, we would advise that you contact a few exam centres and find out the best price, as they can fluctuate greatly. 

You will sit the same exam as thousands of students across the country in an exam centre, and achieve the same qualification as everyone else. A-Level qualifications are recognised by the world’s best universities and employers, giving students a wide range of options in their education and career.

Just like sitting your A Levels in a school, your tutor will be able to provide you with predicted grades, and references for university applications. 

Of course, all of our courses are tailored to cover the entire specification and are split into topics. You will have assignments to complete on every topic where your tutor will give you feedback. If you are struggling with an aspect then you can message your tutor and they can provide more information for you.

As your exams approach, your tutor will set a series of exam papers for you to take, so you can get a feel for the real thing.

If you complete all of your assignments, and your practise exam papers then there is no reason why you shouldn’t achieve a top grade.