A Level Business

Applications Open - 1st November 2026

Applications Close - 12th February 2027

Entry Requirements - Please refer to the Sixth Form Course Directory via the website www.knoleacademy.org

Option blocks and detailed subject information can be found in our course directory on our website www.knoleacademy.org

How to Apply - Via Kent Choices https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login

Level 3 Courses - select a minimum of 3 courses to study

Level 2 Courses - select 1 course only as each course is studied on a full time basis.

A level Business studies is an excellent option for anyone looking to either continue into higher education or gain commercial understanding for future careers.

This course aims to encourage students to develop an enthusiasm for studying business and to gain a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts. Students will develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants, while recognising that business behaviour can be studied from a variety of perspectives. They will generate enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems and issues, and become aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by both organisations and individuals.

You will study a wide range of topics which will give you insight into many careers and areas of academic study.

Unit 3.1 - What is business? Managing marketing and finance

• Business and objectives

• Forms of business and stakeholders

• Marketing management

• Financial management

Unit 3.2 - Managing people and operations

• People management

• Operations management

• Managing business culture

Unit 3.3 - Business and society, business and the external environment, and business strategy

• Business and society

• Business and the external environment

• Strategy

• Change

Assessment is linear with all three exams at the end of year 13

Paper 1 assesses Unit 3.1

Paper 2 assesses Unit 3.2, with links to unit 3.1

Paper 3 assesses Unit 3.3, with links to both unit 3.1 and 3.2

Each paper is a 2 hour written exam worth 95 marks and 33.3% of the A level

In each paper there are two case studies, followed by five compulsory questions worth 45 marks.

Minimum of 5 9-5 grades in GCSE examinations including English and Maths

• Business Management

• Accounting and Finance

• Marketing

• International Business

• Human Resource Management

• Retail Management

• Banking

• Project Management