
- College and sixth form
- Sixth form
- Courses
- Business A-level
Our sixth form centre is brand-new for the city of Birmingham and the surrounding areas
Close links with the Business School, offering access to state-of-the-art resources and support with progression pathways
An understanding of business is beneficial in a wide range of careers, from accountancy to financial advice through to sales management and consultancy, while it is also invaluable in setting up your own business and working in senior management and strategic roles across the sectors.
Through the study of business at A-level at our sixth form centre at University College Birmingham, you will develop knowledge and skills that can be beneficial in a range of different industries. This understanding of business will help you to make sense of the world and will support you throughout your working life and whether you choose to work in the private sector or in public services, principles of business and finance are at the heart of what can be and what is achieved.
Within this course, you will learn about business objectives and strategy, marketing, accounting and finance, people and teams in organisations and more about their roles, operations management, external influences, business analysis and change within organisations to give you a good foundation to take you forward onto university, into an apprenticeship or directly into the world of work and a rewarding career.
Why choose A-levels at our sixth form centre?
- PREPARE FOR UNIVERSITY AT A UNIVERSITY – We can provide you with relevant work placements, masterclasses, guest speakers, trips and more
- AWARD-WINNING SUPPORT – We have won national awards for our student support, which our sixth form students can tap into, from tailored academic support to financial assistance and health and wellbeing services
- OUTSTANDING LEARNING FACILITIES - We have invested £5.5 million into our brand-new sixth form centre, which includes lecture theatres, classrooms, science and computer labs, practical training facilities and open study spaces
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to keep studying at a higher level? This A-level will support your progression to degree level
Course breakdown
To achieve your Business A-level, you must study the following topics:
Topics you will study:
- Business objectives and strategy
- Marketing
- Accounting and finance
- People in organisations
- Operations management
- External influences
- Business analysis
- Change
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
- We ask for a minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 5 or higher, including GCSE English Literature or Language and Maths.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
Guaranteed progression
Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed through three written exam papers in the Summer of your second year. These exams will assess:
- Your knowledge and understanding of business, concepts, theories, methods and models
- Your ability to apply your knowledge and understanding to a range of business contexts
- Your ability to analyse, business issues, demonstrating an understanding of the impact of internal and external factors
- Your ability to evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to reach informed decisions and propose evidence-based solutions
Your class work and directed learning are designed to prepare you well for your exams and to help you develop a range of skills that will help you in your future studies and work.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2025-2030.

Centre of opportunities
Our sixth form centre taps into the wider university's networks to enhance student opportunities and gives you access to world-class university facilities.

We are creating something unique and special for Birmingham and I am delighted you are considering us for your next steps. Studying A-levels requires discipline and determination, but it is also incredibly rewarding, offering you a deep insight into the subjects you choose to study. Sixth form is also an opportunity for you to discover what’s important to you and how you want to make your mark on the world. Our aim is to support and challenge you through this, while developing your character and widening your horizons so you flourish, professionally and personally.
Rebecca Tigue Sixth Form Centre Principal
What will this course prepare you for?
The study of business at A-level will prepare you well for a business-related degree including our Business Enterprise, Business Management, Marketing Management and Finance and Accounting undergraduate degrees.
An understanding of business operations is highly beneficial in a wide range of private and public sector roles and if, at the end of your studies, you are keen to enter the world of work, you could also explore apprenticeships in a range of different fields.
Accountant
Average Salary: £40,000
Project manager (graduate)
Average Salary: £39,197
Marketing officer
Average Salary: £32,000
Business manager
Average Salary: £50,000
Finance assistant
Average Salary: £24,000
Business support
Average Salary: £29,000

Our new sixth form centre
University College Birmingham is to begin offering a range of A-level courses as part of a major multi-million-pound investment in a brand-new sixth form centre.
A-levels this goes well with:
English Literature A-level
The study of English Literature will enable you to explore the world in different time periods and in different social and cultural contexts. You will need to have a passion for reading, as you will cover a minimum of eight texts, including poetry, prose and drama.
History A-level
History is a vibrant subject that can teach us much about human social, political and technological development and can help us make change for the better. Through the study of A-level History at our sixth form centre, you will explore the achievements and struggles that have led us to the societies in which we now live.
Law A-level
Get yourself ready for working in the legal system with our Law A-level college course. Learn about the nature of law, criminal law, tort and the English legal system, as well as boosting your real-world experience through work placements.
Psychology A-level
Studying A-level Psychology, you will delve into topics such as memory, perception, social influence, abnormal behaviour and more. By embarking on this captivating journey of discovery, you will explore the complexities of human behaviour and the inner workings of our minds.
Sociology A-level
The study of sociology provides a lens through which we can critically analyse the structures, institutions and interactions that shape our world. An understanding of sociology is beneficial for everything from policing, law and politics to teaching, social work, journalism and business.
