Business Studies at A level starts by teaching students the practical steps of starting up a small business. It finishes by discussing the detailed issues involved in running a large corporation like Dell Computer plc. Along the way, students learn to identify good business ideas that have the potential to succeed and look at why some people excel as entrepreneurs. The course answers fundamental questions about marketing new products, motivating staff, managing cash and raising capital. Having done the course, students will have acquired the knowledge and skills necessary to write an effective business plan for their own business. They will also be able to discuss the problems of real businesses as reported in the media and offer constructive solutions.

The College offers the AQA examination board's business studies specification. For full details visit www.aqa.org.uk

Good subject combinations

Business Studies provides an excellent combination with mathematics, psychology, economics and government and politics. Students often ask which of business studies or economics they should study and the answer is always "It depends on the subject you wish to study at university and the universities you wish to apply to." Some of the top UK universities prefer students not to take Business Studies or not to take Economics and Business Studies in combination especially when applying for Economics as undergraduates. Students should discuss this is depth during their admissions interview.

After Abbey

The majority of Abbey students who have studied this subject at A-level progress on to business management or accounting and finance degree courses at university.

Questions

Is the course available as a one year programme? YES

Is the course available as an eighteen-month programme starting in January? YES