This qualification encourages students to develop an understanding of how business works in the real world. They discover the problems and opportunities faced by local, national and international businesses and have the opportunity to organise an enterprise activity.
Because emphasis is placed on realistic business contexts throughout, students develop an understanding of how various business functions such as marketing, finance, human and physical resources work together, as part of a cohesive business.
Students are encouraged to take part in practical activities such as planning and running a business, organising an event or planning and setting up a website.
Practical activities outside the classroom can also contribute towards the qualification.
The aim of the AS units is to encourage investigation and to support a highly active, student-centred approach.
The A2 units require a decision making approach, encouraging students to consider management decisions and their impact on business.

AS Level
Unit 1 – Investigating People at Work (externally assessed)
Unit 2 – Investigating Business (internally assessed)
Unit 3 – Investigating Marketing (internally assessed)

A2 Level
Choice of the following units:
Unit 8 – Business Development (externally assessed)
Unit 9 - Managing & Developing People (internally assessed)
Unit 10 – Marketing Decisions (externally assessed)
Unit 11 – Impact of Finance on Business Decisions (internally assessed)
Unit 12 – International Dimensions of Business (internally assessed)
Unit 13 – Organising an Event (internally assessed)
Unit 14 – External influences on Business (internally assessed

The qualification has an AS/A2 structure. It can take the form of:-
• A single award AS GCE (3 units) units 1-3
• A single award Advanced GCE (6 units) units 1-3 & 8 plus two from 9-14
These have all been developed to ensure a comprehensive overview of all business functions.