Courses - Social Sciences

How does Apple persuade people to pay so much more for an iPhone than an android phone? Why did Thomas Cook collapse? How do businesses balance today’s environmental, political and ethical issues with the needs of their employees, shareholders and customers? How do businesses remain competitive in an ever-changing world? Why are some companies successful and others fail?  

A Level Business covers a range of topics including: Different business types; What managers do; The role shareholders play; How businesses make decisions; How products and services are marketed; How businesses are financed; What human resources decisions businesses need to make; Competition and the markets in which businesses operate; and Business strategy.

You will develop good written communication, problem-solving, analytical and research skills.  A Level Business is an excellent choice for a wide variety of careers such as accountancy, law, finance, marketing, human resources and management.

An introduction to the business sector for learners where a more modular in-house assessment style is preferred. It supports progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other Level 3 qualifications. Mandatory Components:   Exploring Business; Developing a Marketing Campaign; Personal and Business Finance

This vocational course will allow you to develop a critical understanding of business behaviour and the business environment by investigating and analysing real-life businesses. You will study leadership, attracting customers, recruiting and nurturing employees, managing finances, measuring business success, and developing strategic plans. You can then use this invaluable knowledge to succeed in any career!

It is a subject that requires students to learn theories, apply them to real businesses through research and assess their effectiveness. The course will suit you if you prefer coursework to exams and want the chance to carry out detailed investigations of different businesses. You do need to be able to cope with constant and tight deadlines, so organisation is very important. There is a significant element of reading and writing because of the coursework, but also an expectation that students discuss and question at every opportunity.

Economics is a subject concerned with balancing our wants and needs against limited resources. It asks students to consider how much we can produce, for whom and how much it is worth as a result. During the course, students examine microeconomics, investigating the concepts of supply and demand, looking at individual markets and analysing the causes of market failure.

Macroeconomics is also introduced, providing the chance to consider how the economy functions as a whole, how financial markets work and the impact of globalisation. The course includes a study of the policies used by government and central banks to maximise welfare and maintain economic stability.

Students of Economics do not necessarily need to combine the subject with Maths A Level, unless they want to study pure Economics at degree level. Economics can complement arts subjects such as History and Philosophy and Theology, it can also combine well with Geography or contrast with Sciences.

Psychology is the scientific study of the mind. Students will have the opportunity to explore human behaviour and cognitive processes, such as thinking and memory. 

The course content includes social, cognitive, developmental, clinical and biological psychology. At A Level students will be assessed by three exams involving a mixture of multiple choice, short answer and essay questions.

The course involves the application of psychological skills and research methodology, including mathematical skills, for example hypothesis testing and statistical analysis. It is therefore recommended that students are competent in their knowledge of mathematics before undertaking this course.

Psychology is a fascinating subject in its own right but it also encourages the development and application of many transferable skills, such as communication, team working and research. These skills are highly valued by further education establishments and employers.

Students who study this subject may wish to pursue traditional careers in psychology, such as educational, forensic, clinical or occupational psychology. However, the subject is also well suited to a broad range of careers beyond the traditional fields of psychology.

How does power function in the modern world? An A level in Government and Politics helps students to address this question. By studying how government functions in the UK and USA, how political parties operate and how democratic systems make choices, students will gain a valuable knowledge of how political decisions impact their daily lives.

Our curriculum begins in Year 12 by guiding students through a detailed assessment of the UK’s political system, including the roles of Parliament, the Prime Minister, and the judiciary, as well as the electoral process and the significance of political parties. 

Throughout the course, students then delve into the core concepts of political theory, examining key ideologies such as liberalism, conservatism, socialism, and feminism. This theoretical foundation enables students to understand how these ideologies shape political behaviour and influence policy-making. 

At each juncture, lessons will look at case studies and contemporary issues, encouraging students to engage with current events and understand their implications. Topics such as the impact of Brexit, the role of the media in politics, and the landslide election victory of Keir Starmer’s Labour Party will keep our studies relevant to politics in the UK today. Combining this with a real-world application of political theory helps students to develop an independent understanding of current affairs in the modern day.

An A Level in Government and Politics will prepare students for a variety of careers, whether they choose to pursue further studies in politics, law, journalism, international relations, or other related fields. Students' future career prospects will be strengthened by gaining a detailed understanding of political systems both in the UK and the USA, furthermore they will be able to better understand their own position in today’s society and better grasp the challenges they will face in the future.