Business Studies A Level

Applications Open - 1st November 2025

Applications Close - 15th December 2025

Entry Requirements - Candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 35 points from their best six GCSE subjects or equivalent (in the view of the School).

• Points will be on a 1-9 point scale, where Grade 1=1 and 2=2 etc.

• Candidates must also obtain at least a Grade 5 in English and Maths at GCSE or equivalent (in the view of the School).

Candidates must meet the specific requirements for each A Level course they wish to study as published in the 2025 Sixth Form Prospectus, which will be available on the website.

How to Apply - Do not apply through Kent Choices. Please apply via Cranbrook School Website using the following link: https://www.cranbrookschool.co.uk/admissions/sixth-form-admissions/

A level Business is taught using a dynamic and inclusive teaching style that is designed to stretch most able while supporting the whole cohort. As an A level returning to the school following a short period of absence, Business will once again give Cranbrook students the choice between studying something more heavily theoretical, namely Economics, and something inherently more practical. The A level in Business gives students the opportunity to examine and analyse how businesses both large and small are managed in a range of contexts.

The aims and objectives of the GCE A level in Business are to enable students to: develop an enthusiasm for studying business, gain a holistic understanding of business in a range of contexts and develop a critical understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society’s needs and wants. We also consider enterprising and creative approaches to business opportunities, problems and issues faced and the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals. Lastly, students will acquire a range of relevant business and generic skills, including decision making, problem solving, the challenging of assumptions and critical analysis while also applying numerical skills in a range of business contexts.

Theme 1: Marketing and people

Students will develop an understanding of:

• 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;

• 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;

• globalisation

• global markets and business expansion

• global marketing

• global industries and companies (multinational corporations).

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Business is structured into four themes and consists of three externally examined papers, taken at the end of the course. Students are encouraged to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of business, to understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives and to challenge assumptions.

Minimum Grade 6 in GCSE Maths and English

This course could lead onto higher education or apprenticeship pathways in areas of Economics, Business Studies, Accounting, Marketing or more general higher education courses. With further training, you could open doors to careers in Economics, Business, Marketing, Finance and Accounting, human resources and public relations.