Views on Business Studies as an A level

[Magpiesarehuge]

Just went to sixth form collrge enrolment. My child wants to study business studies at degree level at a Russell Group University and had settled on BS, English snd Maths for A level. Teacher at enrolment told my child they’d be much better doing a more rigourous subject so my child has last minute dropped the subject he enjoys, finds easy and excells at - for another science subject.

I’m a bit uneasy and just looking for others views on this.

Business Studies isn’t a facilitating subject but the other two are, and the recommendation is that at least two are so...

What does he want to do at university?

He should take the subjects that he would like to do - not something that a tutor he has presumeably never met before suggests.
Was this teacher a Science teacher trying to recruit extra students I wonder?

DH teaches business A-Level. There are lots of opportunities - loads of business courses at universities, cancel to go on to MBNA etc. If his other subjects are English and Maths, I would have thought he'll do better to study a thirs subject he enjoys and is therefore more likely to get a good grade in, unless he specifically wants to get into a scientific field.

Ds form tutor was the Business Studies teacher and warned DS off Business Studies. She told him to do facilitating subjects.

It doesn’t make that much difference in reality. Even LSE day you can only have one non facilitating subject but he’s got that so he’s fine even for LSE. Do what he wants. An A* in business studies gets you further than a B or a C in another one in most cases.

DS did business as A level, and is now going to do a business degree at a very good university. Unless your DS wants to go into a science-type role, a business degree is really very useful in lots of careers.

If your child wants to do a more rigorous subject do they offer economics? I did this at A level and there is a huge area of overlap with Business studies but was seen as more 'academic'

With the English and Maths it doesn't really much matter what goes with it if thinking of doing Business later. Another facilitating subject would give more options but they may not be options he wants! So yes, better do something he enjoys.

Is Economics a possibility? Related but more rigorous? Or Geography? Politics?

I teach Econ at Oxford and would accept someone with BS, English and Maths for Econ and Management if grades etc were good enough.

I did a business degree and got quite a lot of credits when it came to studying CIMA (management accounting). It all depends on what the next plans are.....

I did it along with English, French and History. I had no issues getting into a RG university to do English. If his other subjects are English and Maths then I fail to see an issue.

Also, one of my very good friends did English Language, Maths and Business Studies (plus a fourth subject that I can’t remember as was common 10 years ago), did a business degree at university, joined the grad scheme at one of the big 3 and is now a qualified accountant working towards being made partner at her firm. I know times have changed but business studies definitely didn’t do her (or me) any harm!

Thanks - some diverse opinions/experiences. He wants to study BS at University. He finds BS easy and gets good grades. I was thinkjng that could be an easier good grade to give him more room for the “harder” subjects.

As someone who did Economics, it's not particularly like business apart from Theme 3 which is second year micro economics. It also has a reputation as being 'watered down economics', at least in my school. That said though, he's got 2 hard subjects, I would say if he has an 'easy subject' that he's good at, he'll have a better chance at 3 high grades.

I would think carefully about what he wants to do after his degree. I have a management degree and work in a related profession training students for their professional exams. I agree with the previous poster that economics would be far preferable to business studies. I can't think of the last time that one of my students said they had an A level in business studies or law or accountancy.

The course has actually changed name from Business Studies to just Business. The maths content has also been increased. It is considered more robust now. It is true that Ecomonics is considered a tougher subject but it would be far better to get an A or A* in Business than a B in Economics. This will give him entry into most RG unis.

Thank you, that’s the dilemma and i keep hearing mixed opinions on it. Just feel it’s a big decision for him. He’s going to a different college so they don’t know him and his strengths and weaknesses. I just think Business would be an easier ride for him and an easier chance to get a high grade as he had a few hiccups with chemistry - even though he got a 7 in the end and is in top set. Now I’m also worrying he’s taking Maths. We’ve onlybgot a week or so to hopefully get this right.

DD did Business at GCSE and got A*. She decided to do it at A'level as she enjoyed it so much but found it was just a repeat of GCSE and very boring. She changed to Physics and is pleased she did as it opened up more doors to better universities.

Basically though, it comes down to what he wants to do and which subjects will give him the grades he needs to get there. It helps if he likes it tool

Thanks living - that’s an interesting point and one we are weighing up

I don't think English Language is a facilitating subject but English Literature is - which one has he chosen?