Full Time A2 Level Business

A2 Level Business

Why should I study A2 Level Business?
This course will provide learners with the opportunity to develop their AS qualification into the full "Advanced Level" qualification. It will widen the depth of business understanding and insight, and will enable students to progress

• to Higher Education on a business related degree.
• to employment in the business or retailing sectors, at the management trainee level.

What will be studied on the course?
Learners will study 2 inter-related modules, which are as follows:

Unit 3: Strategies for Success. This is adding to the basic features of AS Units 1 and 2 with issues such as understanding and interpreting business accounts through Ratio Analysis, Trading, Profit and Loss Accounts and Balance Sheets. Also developing techniques to judge investment opportunities, and analysing marketing strategy; operations strategies and human resource strategies.

Unit 4:The Business Environment and Managing Change. This final module covers business in the wider context of corporate aims and objectives. Changes in the business environment including economic, political, social and ethical issues and managing these changes within a corporate culture.

Outside speakers may be arranged to give an overview of higher education opportunities, whilst you may also be given an opportunity to spend a week abroad, visiting businesses in a major European city.

When does the course start and how long does it last?
This is the second year of the full 'A' Level programme, starting in September, and lasting for the full academic year, to end in June.

What qualifications are needed to do the course?
You need to have successfully achieved the AS Business studies award, ideally to a minimum grade "D" standard.

How will the learner be assessed?
Unit 3: Exam of 1 hour 45 minutes on an unseen case study.
Unit 4: Exam of 1 hour 45 minutes based partly on prior research questions
and partly on a choice of essay titles.

How much will the course cost?
Set texts will be made available during class time, and the Learning Resource Centre is well stocked with appropriate titles. However you may wish to purchase revision guides at up to £20 approx. to add breadth to your study. You may be asked to cover the cost of transport for any visits arranged during the course, and if you choose to go on a business trip abroad, you will be expected to cover most, if not all, of the costs involved.

What progression routes are available?
On successful completion of this course learners could progress to

• the first year of a Higher Education Business Degree ie. BA (HONS) Business Studies or a related specialist degree in Marketing, Accounting, Human Resource Management etc.
• employment in the business or retail sectors at a management trainee level.