Blog
A New A Level Specification for Business
19th November 2012
In recent weeks I've had discussions with various stakeholders about the development of a new A Level specification for Business Students. Discussions are progressing well and I'm hopeful of some significant developments soon.I thought it might be useful if I published the draft outline of my proposed specification (very much of an overview rather than a detailed topic-by-topic document). I'd be interested in the thoughts of fellow business teaching colleagues about the outline. Overall views? Something missed out? Would you be interested in getting involved in the development process? Might a new specification of this sort be of interest compared with the existing options?Please add your comments to the Disqus comment box further below.
GCE in Entrepreneurship & Management (“E&M”)
This new A Level qualification will provide students with a challenging, academically rigorous and relevant study of the core principles and practice of entrepreneurship and modern business management.
The GCE in Entrepreneurship & Management specification will be developed through consultation by tutor2u with 000’s of business teachers in the UK, professional bodies, blue-chip UK employers, industry associations and several top-ranked UK & International University Business Schools. It will be delivered and assessed by a leading Awarding Body.
Some of the key and distinctive features of the new A Level will be:
- The removal of much outdated and irrelevant material that has traditionally dominated and cluttered legacy GCE Business Studies specifications;
- Extensive use of real business case studies and other stimulus material as the basis for study and assessment;
- Integration of a much higher degree of numeracy throughout the specification, including the fundamentals of business accounting, data analysis, problem solving and decision-making;
- A clear progression throughout the delivery of the specification which starts with the study of the challenges of starting and growing successful SMEs, through to the issues facing the management of complex multinational businesses in an increasingly hostile and global competitive environment;
- An emphasis on the connected nature of business operations and decision-making rather than the teaching of individual functional areas;
- A focus on the impact of digital technologies as both an enabling opportunity for startups and SMEs as well as a disruptive influence on business strategy;
- A much greater emphasis on international business, including the study of emerging markets, globalisation, sustainability of international supply chains and international trade.
- The use of experiential learning and independent research as core expectations for the effective delivery of the qualification;
- A blend of external assessment methods, including multiple choice questions, data-response questions and extended essay writing based around extensive independent research;
- Extensive support materials to provide guidance and encouragement to both teachers and students
- Examination standardisation to be wholly face-to-face rather than online
- Clear, fair, flexible mark schemes that reward well-prepared candidates
- Much more detailed feedback to all centres about candidate performance and areas for improvement and emphasis, including exemplar script marking
| AS | A2 |
| Entrepreneurship | Management |
| Overview The practical journey from a new business idea to managing and growing a successful SME. The emphasis of the AS Module is entrepreneurship and goes right to the heart of the challenges facing startups and the core issues in growing a small business once it has proved its initial viability. It also emphasises the importance of financial and other data in supporting business decision-making. | Overview Leading and managing larger businesses in a complex, fast-changing, intensively competitive & increasingly global environment The A2 Module provides a wonderful opportunity for students to develop a deep understanding of the complexities of managing and leading modern larger businesses. A core theme which runs through the unit is the impact of technology as a source of change, opportunity and threat in business. The content also allows an exploration of key international issues, including the role of CSR sustainability and the change arising from emerging markets and globalisation. |
| Core Content Sections Role & Importance of Entrepreneurship A Viable Business Idea Understanding the Customer & Market Market Positioning and Proposition Adding Value Through Innovation, Quality and Customer Service Effective Selling & Customer-Relationship Management Understanding & Interpreting Basic Financial Information Introductory Business Decision-Making Strategies for Cash Management & Cost Control Building and Managing an Effective Team Technology & the Competitive SME | Core Content Sections Quantitative Methods for Business Introductory Principles of Corporate Finance Strategies for Business Growth Doing Business in International Markets The Changing Economic World Order Technology, Innovation and Disruption Building Strategic Advantage Through Partnerships & Alliances The Sustainable, Ethical Business Strategic HRM Competitive Organisation and Culture Leadership and Strategic Change |