Business

Why study A Level Business?

Explore how real businesses thrive in a changing world. With a refreshed AQA specification for 2026, you’ll study cutting-edge topics like AI, sustainability, and employee wellbeing, alongside essential business functions. New, clearer assessments offer accessible entry points for all learners—supporting your confidence and success. Whether you see yourself in management, marketing, or running your own business, this course gets you ready.

How will I be assessed?

1. Clearer structure & focus

• Each paper will target specific content, rather than full overlap across all assessment papers.
• The structure of each exam will remain consistent—students learn the layout and question flow, which builds confidence.

2. Simpler, clearer command words

• AQA is refining the language of questions so the demand of each command word (e.g. “analyse”, “evaluate”) is clearer and more consistent.
• There will be fewer, more predictable command words, reducing ambiguity about what the examiner expects.
• The highest-mark question in each paper is being capped (so students are not overwhelmed by extremely long essay demands).
• Quantitative skills will be assessed in realistic business contexts, not just abstract calculations.

3. Familiarity lowers stress, supports success

• Because all papers share a consistent format, students know what to expect and can prepare more confidently.
• The alignment between what is taught and what is assessed is more precise, reducing surprises.

entry requirements

In addition to the entry requirements to attend KES Sixth Form, a minimum of a Grade 4 in English and Mathematics at GCSE is required. Business at GCSE isn’t a requirement to study Business at A Level, however if you have studied Business at GCSE, a minimum of a Grade 5 must have been achieved.

What skills will I gain from studying Business?

Students will develop a broad understanding of the range of activities businesses undertake to compete and be successful in a wide range of business organisations. In addition, students will learn to analyse a multitude of business scenarios, identify the key issues facing each and making recommendations as to what approach the business should take to achieve its objectives

Where can Business lead?

Students completing A Level Business go on to study a range of subjects at university (currently over 80% of students that study Business, Economics or Accounting at King Edward VI go on to follow a business related course at university) or go directly into employment. Business A Level can lead directly on to a Business degree course and in addition it is common for entry onto university subjects such as Accountancy, Law, Management, Economics and International Finance. Alternatively, A Level Business will give students a good grounding and the relevant skills essential for the successful transition into the world of work.

Staff

The following members of staff form the Business, Economics and Accounting department at King Edwards: