Course Overview
Studying Business at Hartpury will give you a strong understanding of how businesses operate in the real world. You’ll explore a wide range of topics including marketing, finance, people in business, and operations management.
In your first year, you’ll learn the core principles of these key areas and how they apply to real-life business scenarios. In your second year, you’ll delve deeper into the strategies businesses use to succeed, analysing real company case studies and the decisions they make in a variety of situations.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop valuable skills in analysis, evaluation, and problem-solving, and learn how to consider issues from multiple stakeholder perspectives. It’s a great course if you’re interested in how businesses work and want to gain the knowledge and confidence to lead, motivate, and make informed decisions.
We follow the AQA Business specification. Our experienced lecturers, many of whom are also examiners, are well-placed to help you develop the exam skills needed for success.
On this course you'll study the following topics over two years.
- What is business, managing marketing and finance
- Business and objectives
- Forms of business and stakeholders
- Marketing management
- Financial management
- Managing operations and people
- Operations management
- People management
- Managing business culture
- Business and society, business and external environment and business strategy
- Business and society
- Business and external environment
- Strategy
The majority of A-level lessons are delivered from the classrooms in our College Learning Centre, providing a modern learning environment, contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped library and learning resources.
Lessons are delivered in a traditional manner and include individual tasks as well as group work. A-level students will be set regular homework tasks as well as regular assessments throughout the academic year.
A-levels offers a unique timetable facilitating sporting development and extra-curricular activities, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and the holistic development of all students.
A-level students have access to our equine and sport facilities, animal collection, and our commercial Home Farm.
Students have a pastoral tutor who will support them to succeed in their studies and their enrichment activities. All students have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online. In addition, all students have access to medical professionals on campus.
Exam board: AQA
You'll be assessed through three exam papers, each lasting two hours. Each two hour paper includes two case studies, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learnt during the course.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
An A-level in Business can be combined with subjects like Geography, Physical Education, Psychology, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Science, English Language and Literature or Economics and can lead to a wide range of exciting progression routes. Students may go on to careers in marketing, law, finance, environmental management, planning, or business leadership.
Popular combinations include Business with Geography for roles in marketing, politics or international law; Business with PE for leadership, sponsorship and sport marketing; or Business with Psychology for careers in analytics, market research or legal services. Combining Business with Maths or Economics supports roles in accountancy, financial management or cyber security. Pairing Business with Biology or Environmental Science can support careers in health, sustainability or waste management.
These combinations support national skills priorities in finance, law, marketing, entrepreneurship, planning and environmental management. Locally, they align with Gloucestershire’s skills needs in tourism, sustainability, health and social care, finance, agriculture and local government.
Course Overview
Course information
Studying Business at Hartpury will give you a strong understanding of how businesses operate in the real world. You’ll explore a wide range of topics including marketing, finance, people in business, and operations management.
In your first year, you’ll learn the core principles of these key areas and how they apply to real-life business scenarios. In your second year, you’ll delve deeper into the strategies businesses use to succeed, analysing real company case studies and the decisions they make in a variety of situations.
Throughout the course, you’ll develop valuable skills in analysis, evaluation, and problem-solving, and learn how to consider issues from multiple stakeholder perspectives. It’s a great course if you’re interested in how businesses work and want to gain the knowledge and confidence to lead, motivate, and make informed decisions.
We follow the AQA Business specification. Our experienced lecturers, many of whom are also examiners, are well-placed to help you develop the exam skills needed for success.
What you’ll learn
On this course you'll study the following topics over two years.
- What is business, managing marketing and finance
- Business and objectives
- Forms of business and stakeholders
- Marketing management
- Financial management
- Managing operations and people
- Operations management
- People management
- Managing business culture
- Business and society, business and external environment and business strategy
- Business and society
- Business and external environment
- Strategy
How you’ll learn
The majority of A-level lessons are delivered from the classrooms in our College Learning Centre, providing a modern learning environment, contemporary classrooms with smart boards, well-equipped library and learning resources.
Lessons are delivered in a traditional manner and include individual tasks as well as group work. A-level students will be set regular homework tasks as well as regular assessments throughout the academic year.
A-levels offers a unique timetable facilitating sporting development and extra-curricular activities, and a full enrichment programme to enhance employability skills and the holistic development of all students.
A-level students have access to our equine and sport facilities, animal collection, and our commercial Home Farm.
Students have a pastoral tutor who will support them to succeed in their studies and their enrichment activities. All students have access to our academic and wellbeing support teams who run regular workshops and one-to-one sessions on campus and online. In addition, all students have access to medical professionals on campus.
How you’ll be assessed
Exam board: AQA
You'll be assessed through three exam papers, each lasting two hours. Each two hour paper includes two case studies, giving you the chance to apply what you’ve learnt during the course.
To help prepare you for your exams throughout the course, you’ll complete regular end-of-topic assessments, homework tasks and mock exams. These will help track your progress and highlight areas to improve.
What can you do after this course?
An A-level in Business can be combined with subjects like Geography, Physical Education, Psychology, Biology, Mathematics, Environmental Science, English Language and Literature or Economics and can lead to a wide range of exciting progression routes. Students may go on to careers in marketing, law, finance, environmental management, planning, or business leadership.
Popular combinations include Business with Geography for roles in marketing, politics or international law; Business with PE for leadership, sponsorship and sport marketing; or Business with Psychology for careers in analytics, market research or legal services. Combining Business with Maths or Economics supports roles in accountancy, financial management or cyber security. Pairing Business with Biology or Environmental Science can support careers in health, sustainability or waste management.
These combinations support national skills priorities in finance, law, marketing, entrepreneurship, planning and environmental management. Locally, they align with Gloucestershire’s skills needs in tourism, sustainability, health and social care, finance, agriculture and local government.
A minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above.
Mathematics, English Language and Business (if a Business GCSE has been studied) at grade 6 or above.
You should expect some small costs for books and stationery. There will also be opportunities to take part in trips related to the topics you are studying. In the past, these have included visits to Alton Towers, the Houses of Parliament, JCB, Uttoxeter, and the Cadbury Factory. These trips incur a charge/are covered by the educational visits fee.
Students are required to pay a non-refundable educational visits fee at enrolment.
Which other A-levels does this work well with?
A-level Business typically goes well with: Biology, Economics, Geography, Mathematics, Physical Education and Psychology.
Can I study A-level Business and play in the Sports Academy?
This will depend which other A-levels you are studying. Where possible we try to work academy timetables around academic timetables, however this is not always possible. Please email to discuss your individual circumstances.
Can I bring my horse and study A-levels?
Yes - we provide students with the opportunity to bring their horse (or horses) with them while they study. On-site livery is offered to students on a DIY or full livery basis. This is subject to availability as demand is always high. Fees apply.
How much does the course cost?
If you're a UK student under the age of 19 enrolling in full-time A-level courses at Hartpury College, you typically won't need to pay tuition fees. For further information, details for those over 19 year-of-age and international students, visit: Finance | Hartpury College
Outstanding
Rated 'Ofsted Outstanding in all areas' for academic and curriculum-related provision
99.4% pass-rate
With an A-level pass rate of 99.4% (Hartpury College 2025), our outcomes for students are exceptional.
Living in on-site college accommodation at Hartpury, you’ll be part of a vibrant and international community of students of all ages who share their experience of life at college and university together on one campus.
The Hartpury Certificate is an enrichment programme designed to support our students to grow.
A-levels or a diploma?
Are you unsure about whether A-levels or a BTEC Diploma are the right choice for you? Find out the key differences and which qualification would best suit your learning style and your career and further study ambitions on our dedicated page.
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