A Level Business is a Star, But AS Looks Like a Dog

The latest A Level entry data from summer 2017 suggests that A Level Business is an increasingly popular option. However, like other reformed A Levels, the AS qualification is being abandoned by most centres.

Entries for A Level Business (Year 13) grew again in 2017, this time by a whopping 3,650 candidates (12.6%) making it one of the fastest-growing A Level subjects.

However entries for the decoupled AS Business fell sharply by 24,750 (56%), broadly in line with the experience of other reformed A Level subjects (e.g. Economics fell by 60%).

Amongst the factors being cited by centres for abandoning AS Business entries are:

• Schools opting for a genuinely two-year linear approach (relying on internal end of Yr12 assessment)
• The need to significantly cut costs (AS entries are a big drain on centre funds)
• Centres encouraging students to take three, not four subjects from the start of Year 12