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A Level Business Studies

Study Method Online
Provider Lift College
Recognition AQA, Ofqual
Start Date Enrol anytime
Lift College

Course overview

A Level Business Studies is an RQF Level 3 qualification awarded by AQA under specification 7138, comprising three externally examined written papers covering eleven topics across three units — from what a business is through to managing risk and change.

It is delivered online by Lift College with UK tutor support and monthly pay-as-you-learn pricing. There is no coursework, controlled assessment or non-exam component.

Who's It For?

  • Adults aged 18 or over who want a recognised full A level rather than an access or equivalence route
  • Those who need a Level 3 qualification for a business, management, marketing, finance or HR degree
  • Those who want to retake or take Business Studies after leaving school without it
  • People who run or want to run their own business and want the theoretical grounding
  • Those supporting a home-educated learner who needs a mainstream awarding body
  • Candidates able to attend an approved exam centre for three written papers in a May or June series

Job outcomes

  • Marketing associate professional
  • Financial or accounting technician
  • HR officer or people advisor
  • Business analyst or operations associate

Want to see more job outcomes and how your future could change?

What you'll learn

A Level Business Studies asks you to think like a manager. You will learn:

  • How businesses are organised and how they make decisions across marketing, finance, people and operations
  • How businesses set and pursue long-term strategy
  • Analytical, quantitative and evaluative skills expected at Level 3 by universities and employers

Recognitions

AQA

Accredited/ Certified by AQA

Ofqual

Accredited/ Certified by Ofqual

Study method

  • Online Online info icon
    Online delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
  • Blended Blended info icon
    Blended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
  • In-class In-class info icon
    In class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
  • Virtual Virtual info icon
    Virtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
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Duration study load

Typical duration is 12 to 18 months. Study is self-paced — most learners spend a few hours each week, but you can do more or less based on your own pace. An optional study planner is available for those who prefer more structure.

Delivery

The course is studied 100% online and can be started at any time — there are no fixed term dates or cohorts. Written exams are sat at an approved centre in May or June. Learners can log in any time from a phone, tablet or laptop.

Entry requirements

There are no formal entry requirements. AQA confirms that specification 7138 carries no previous learning requirements and that entry requirements are at the discretion of the centre. You do not need GCSE Business, or any GCSEs, to enrol.

AQA recommends that students have skills in numeracy and written communication equivalent to GCSE grade 4 in English and Maths, as quantitative skills carry a minimum of 10 per cent of the marks and every paper requires timed extended writing. You should be 18 or over, able to read substantial amounts of text independently, and able to travel to an approved exam centre in May or June.

If you are planning on university progression, most degree courses also ask for GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 or above alongside your A levels.

Find out more about the entry requirements for this course

Pathways

This qualification earns up to 56 UCAS points and is recognised by every UK university. It is a direct fit for marketing, finance, HR and business management degree programmes. Salary survey data and study routes cited include AAT, ACCA, CIMA and CIPD as pathways for graduates wishing to pursue professional qualifications.

Course features

  • Personal named UK subject tutor from enrolment through to exam series
  • Exam-style practice questions in every unit with individual written feedback within 5 to 7 working days
  • Progress tracking dashboard showing unit scores, topic strengths and areas to revisit
  • Optional exam readiness check — includes a timed mock paper and written summary
  • AI Study Assistant included
  • Learner community forum
  • Start any time — no fixed term dates
  • Resubmit work at no extra cost
  • 7-day free trial on every sign-up
  • 14-day money-back guarantee
  • Exams at 10 approved centres nationwide (run by Tutors and Exams)
  • UCAS points: up to 56

Professional Recognition

This qualification is awarded by AQA, an Ofqual-regulated UK awarding organisation, under specification 7138 (Ofqual accreditation number 610/6449/X). It is listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications and sits on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) at Level 3. It is accepted by UK universities, employers and professional bodies and earns up to 56 UCAS points.

Assessment

A Level Business (AQA 7138) is assessed by three written papers taken in May or June. There is no non-exam assessment.

  • Paper 1: 2 hours, 90 marks, 33.3%. Unit 3.1 — What is business? Managing marketing and finance. Two case studies, each followed by five compulsory questions worth 45 marks.
  • Paper 2: 2 hours, 90 marks, 33.3%. Unit 3.2 — Managing people and operations, with links to Unit 3.1. Two case studies, each followed by five compulsory questions worth 45 marks.
  • Paper 3: 2 hours, 90 marks, 33.3%. Unit 3.3 — Business and society, the external environment and strategy, with links to Units 3.1 and 3.2. Two case studies, each followed by five compulsory questions worth 45 marks.

Grading: A* to E, with U below E.

Exams are sat at approved centres: Birmingham, Bolton, Coventry, Doncaster, High Wycombe, Mitcham, Newcastle, Romford, St Neots and Taunton.

Additional information

The specification covered is AQA 7138 for first teaching from September 2026, with first A-level examinations sat in 2028. The course is delivered by Lift College (UKPRN: 10102267). The qualification is independently quality-checked through IQA and EQA processes. Exams are sat at centres run by Tutors and Exams, a specialist private candidate exam provider.

Subjects

Core Units
Unit 3.1 — What is business? Managing marketing and finance
Unit 3.2 — Managing people and operations
Unit 3.3 — Business and society, the external environment and strategy

Want more information about the subjects for this course?

Payment options

Course fees:

Study: £509.99 or £49.99 per month

Study + Exams: £917.99 or £89.99 per month

  • Pay monthly — spread the cost with no interest, cancel any time

  • Pay annually — save versus monthly pricing

  • No credit checks and no contract; pause or cancel any time

  • Employer sponsorship — funding paperwork can be sent to your employer

  • 7-day free trial on every option; nothing is charged during the trial period

  • 14-day money-back guarantee on every enrolment

  • Two study options available: Study (tuition only — you arrange and pay for your own exams) and +Exams (tuition plus exam entry and centre fees included)

Find out more about the payment options for this course

About Lift College

Lift College is a fully online UK education provider dedicated to A-Levels and GCSEs. Every course is designed, taught and assessed to give adult and independent learners a genuine second route into the qualifications employers, universities and colleges recognise. All teaching happens online. Learners study on our purpose-built online campus with a named UK tutor, structured modules, marked assignments and an AI Study Assistant that answers questions instantly and points learners to the exact page of the specification they need. There is no timetable to keep, no travel, and no fixed start date. Learners begin any day of the year, pause and resume when life gets busy, and move through the material at whatever pace works for them. Every course starts with a 7-day free trial. Learners get full access to the online campus, tutor support, and study materials from day one, and nothing is charged until the trial ends. After the trial, learners have a further 14-day refund period, so there is no financial risk in trying Lift College properly before committing. After that, courses run on a simple monthly subscription with exam entry included. There is no contract, no commitment, no exit fees, no credit checks, and no risk. Learners can cancel or pause at any time, for any reason, in a couple of clicks from their dashboard. Written exams are sat in person at established private-candidate exam centres across England, with entry, venue and invigilation arranged for the learner in advance. Every A-Level and GCSE is delivered to the same awarding-body specifications, and results in the same certificates, as those awarded in schools and colleges. UKPRN 10102267.

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