AS & A2 Level Academics

The Edexcel AS and A2 Level Business Studies courses provide students with a comprehensive understanding of business concepts, practices, and strategic decision-making. The syllabus covers core aspects of business management, including operations, marketing, finance, and human resources, preparing students for further studies in business and related fields.

Every unit is assessed by an externally marked written examination of 2 hours worth 80 marks.

Assessment Structure

Unit 1: Marketing and People - An AS Business unit that introduces students to the market, customer needs, marketing strategy, managing people, entrepreneurs and business leadership. Students learn how businesses identify opportunities, understand customer behaviour, develop competitive advantage and manage employees effectively. The paper includes short and extended-response questions based on sources, with Section A worth 30 marks, Section B worth 30 marks, and Section C containing one 20-mark essay question.

Unit 2: Managing Business Activities - An AS Business unit that focuses on planning a business, raising finance, financial planning, managing finance, resource management and external influences on business activity. Students develop an understanding of how businesses organise resources, manage costs, make financial decisions and respond to economic and market changes. The paper has Section A worth 30 marks, Section B worth 30 marks, and Section C containing one 20-mark essay question based on one or more sources.

Unit 3: Business Decisions and Strategy - An A2 Business unit that develops students' understanding of business objectives, strategy, growth, decision-making techniques, influences on business decisions, competitiveness and managing change. This unit requires students to apply business theory to more complex situations and evaluate strategic decisions made by businesses. The paper includes Section A worth 40 marks, Section B with one 20-mark essay question, and Section C with one 20-mark essay question.

Unit 4: Global Business - An A2 Business unit that focuses on globalisation, global markets, business expansion, global marketing, multinational corporations and the impact of international business activity. Students are expected to understand how businesses operate in global markets and evaluate opportunities and challenges faced by firms internationally. The paper includes Section A worth 40 marks, Section B with one 20-mark essay question, and Section C with one 20-mark essay question.

The AS and A2 Level Business Studies courses aim to develop students' understanding of business principles, enhance their analytical and strategic thinking skills, and prepare them for further study or careers in business and management.

The official Cambridge syllabus title is Business. The course enables students to understand how businesses operate, make decisions and respond to changes in their internal and external environments. Students study enterprise, business structure, human resource management, marketing, operations management, finance and accounting. At A Level, students also examine business strategy and make justified recommendations using quantitative and qualitative information.

Assessment Structure

Paper 1: Business Concepts 1 — This AS Level paper contains short-answer questions and an essay chosen from two options. Questions are based on the AS Level syllabus. The examination lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 40 marks.

Paper 2: Business Concepts 2 — This paper contains two data-response questions based on real or realistic business situations. Students apply business concepts, analyse information and make supported judgements. The examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and is worth 60 marks.

Paper 3: Business Decision-Making — This A Level paper contains five questions based on a case study. Students analyse business information, consider alternative decisions and make justified recommendations. The examination lasts 1 hour 45 minutes and is worth 60 marks.

Paper 4: Business Strategy — This A Level paper contains two essay questions based on a business case study. It focuses on strategic analysis, decision-making and evaluation. The examination lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 40 marks.

AS Level students take Papers 1 and 2. Students completing the full A Level also take Papers 3 and 4.

The AQA AS and A Level Business courses develop students' understanding of how businesses are established, managed and developed. Students study business objectives, stakeholders, marketing, finance, people management, operations and organisational culture. At A Level, students also examine business ethics, environmental responsibilities, external influences, global strategy, strategic planning and the management of change.

The structure below uses the new AQA Business specifications 7137 and 7138, which begin teaching in September 2026. The first AS examinations are in 2027 and the first A Level examinations are in 2028.

Assessment Structure

AS Level Business

• Paper 1: What Is Business? Managing Marketing and Finance — Assesses business objectives, forms of business, stakeholders, marketing management and financial management. The examination contains two case studies, each followed by six compulsory questions. It lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, is worth 80 marks and contributes 50% of the AS qualification.
• Paper 2: Managing People and Operations — Assesses people management and operations management, with links to the content assessed in Paper 1. The examination contains two case studies, each followed by six compulsory questions. It lasts 1 hour 45 minutes, is worth 80 marks and contributes 50% of the AS qualification.

A Level Business

• Paper 1: Managing Marketing and Finance — Assesses business objectives, stakeholders, marketing and financial management. The examination contains two case studies, each followed by five compulsory questions. It lasts 2 hours, is worth 90 marks and contributes 33⅓% of the A Level qualification.
• Paper 2: Managing People and Operations — Assesses people management, operations management and business culture, with links to the Paper 1 content. The examination contains two case studies, each followed by five compulsory questions. It lasts 2 hours, is worth 90 marks and contributes 33⅓% of the A Level qualification.
• Paper 3: Business, Society, External Environment and Strategy — Assesses business and society, the external business environment, strategy and change, with links to the complete course. The examination contains two case studies, each followed by five compulsory questions. It lasts 2 hours, is worth 90 marks and contributes 33⅓% of the A Level qualification.