A-Levels: Business - Single Applied

Why study Applied Business?
An Applied Business Award is a two tier qualification containing both AS and A2 standard units. This course offers students flexibility to pursue a qualification which covers key areas of business through completing portfolios and carrying out external assessment.

What do I study?
The AS is made up of three core units, two portfolios and one external assessment. The A2 is made up of two core units, one portfolio and one external assessment and an optional unit. All students take these three core units at AS level.

Unit 1 Creating a Marketing Proposal - Portfolio
This unit requires students to undertake an investigation into a medium to large sized business in order to produce a marketing proposal. Students will consider marketing objectives, functional areas of a business and their supporting role, how to undertake market research and use market findings, the marketing mix and develop their presentation skills. Students are expected to look at the current product portfolio of their selected business and choose an appropriate new product or service which they will have to launch. Students will then be required to undertake detailed market research in order to create their marketing proposal.

Unit 2 - Recruitment in the Workplace - Portfolio

Whether a student starts working for a business or becomes self employed, this unit will give them a valuable insight into how businesses recruit, select, retain and manage one of their key resources â€" people. Students will investigate the primary roles and functions inherent in the work of a human resources department in a medium to large sized company. Students will produce a report showing how they have set about recruiting and selecting an individual for a particular job role, as well as producing an induction and motivational programme for the chosen job role and successful applicant.
Unit 3 - Understanding the Business Environment - Externally assessed
This unit will enable students to investigate the business environment and analyse its impact on the decision making process. Students will consider the internal factors involved in the decision making of a business, primarily on the financial elements within an organisation, the type of business ownership, internal stakeholders and the impact of technology on business decision making.

Where does Applied Business take me?


Students with A2 Applied Business will have access to a wide range of possible career and Higher Education opportunities. You will learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These include the important business skills of decision making and business planning. Applied Business combines well with a range of Social Science, Humanities and Mathematics subjects. You could go on to Higher Education courses in Business, Economics, Law, Management and Accountancy.

What do I need?

You will need to have an interest in current affairs and the world of business in general, but it is not necessary to have studied Business before. Students should have at least one B and four C grades at GCSE level including English and Maths.