© 2021 AQA

Scheme of work

A-level Business (7132)

Version 2.2 Revised Summer 2021

Introduction

The following scheme of work offers a route through the A-level Business course, covering all the sections and sub-sections in a logical order,

including opportunities to develop the necessary set of skills required for interacting with the business world. Guidance is given about any prior

knowledge which is helpful or required. The order is by no means prescriptive and there are many alternative ways in which the content could be

organised. Time has been built in for assessment activities and revision but all timings are approximate.

Assumed coverage

This scheme assumes the AS course is a one-year course or the first year of a two-year A-level, with four hours of lessons per week, approximately

120 taught hours per year. A considerable amount of work would need to be completed outside lessons, partly depending on lesson time available.

One and two teacher model

Model for one teacher with a linear approach to the subject content (section 3.1 – 3.10)

With two teachers, the model could be broken down as follows:

First year Teacher 1 – 3.1, 3.3, 3.4

Teacher 2 – 3.2, 3.5, 3.6, (functional areas can be allocated according to teaching preference)

Second year Teacher 1 – 3.7.1, 3.7.3, 3.7.5, 3.7.7, 3.8, 3.10.1, 3.10.2

Teacher 2 – 3.7.2, 3.7.4, 3.7.6, 3.7.8, 3.9, 3.10.3, 3.10.4 (suggested allocation) ©

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3.1 What is business?

Total time: 15 hours + 1 hour for assessment activities.

3.1.1 Understanding the nature and purpose of business

Learning objective Time taken Guidance Resources

To understand why businesses

exist

To understand the relationship

between mission and objectives

To examine common business

objectives

To understand why businesses

set objectives

To understand the

measurement and importance of

profit.

4 hours Learners may have no business

knowledge before starting the

course, although some may have

studied a business-related

subject.

Learner activity looking at real-life

examples such as:

• profit

• growth

• survival

• cash flow

• social

• ethical objectives.

Teacher led activity on the

measurement of profit to include:

• revenue (also turnover and

sales)

• fixed costs

• variable costs

• total costs.

• BBC Learning zone video – What is a business?

• Tutor2U – Presentation – Objectives of a new business

• Tutor2U – Revision presentation – Mission, Aims,

Objectives and Stakeholders

• YouTube video (James Slocombe) – Accounting and

Finance – Revenue and Profit

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3.1.2 Understanding different business forms

Learning objective Time taken Guidance Resources

To understand reasons for

choosing different forms of

business and for changing

business form

To understand the role of

shareholders and why they

invest

To learn about influences on

share price and the significance

of share price changes

The effects of ownership on

mission, objectives, decisions

and performance

7 hours Learners should be able to

understand different forms of

business and why these forms

may change and the role of

shareholders.

Different forms of business

include:

• sole traders

• private limited companies

and public limited companies

• private sector and public

sector organisations

• non-profit organisations such

as charities and mutuals.

Issues with different forms of

business include:

• unlimited and limited liability

• ordinary share capital

• market capitalisation

• dividends.

• Bee Business Bee types of ownership video (11.43)

• Tutor2U – Revision presentation – Start up Business

Structures

• Tutor2U – Revision presentation – Limited liability

• Tutor2U – Revision quiz – Legal structure

• YouTube – Interview with Big Issue founder – John Bird

(excellent resource to illustrate non–profit organisations)

• Business Review magazine – Volume 19 – Number 1

‘Can Facebook float?’

• YouTube – Why Go Limited? (cliqvid video) (1:28m)

• Education Portal – Shareholders, Board of Director and

Officer Roles

• Education Portal – What are Dividends? Investing in

Stocks

• Tutor2U – Presentation – Shares

• YouTube – How the stock exchange works (3:33m)

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3.1.3 Understanding that businesses operate within an external environment

Learning objective Time taken Guidance Resources

To understand how the external

environment can affect costs

and demand

4 hours Factors influencing costs and

demand to include the effect of:

• competition

• market conditions

• incomes

• interest rates

• demographic factors

• environmental issues and

fair trade.

• Educational Portal video – Macroeconomic issues in

business

• Tutor2U – Presentation – Introduction to Revenues and

Demand

• Mindtools

• YouTube – Pest Analysis Explained

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