International AS and A-level Business (9725) – revised

Introduces students to the critical elements of business strategy and analysis

This revised specification is available for first teaching from September 2026, with first AS exams in May/June 2027 and first A2 exams in May/June 2028.

OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Business is a relevant and engaging specification that supports progression to further education and employment. 

  • Contemporary content includes digital technology, business ethics and internationalisation to ground students’ understanding in the modern world. 
  • Themed papers help make revision easier, while the variety of question types develop students’ abilities to analyse data, think critically and make informed decisions. 
  • Following feedback from teachers, each A2 paper has separate topics and a simplified structure, with all questions based on case studies.
  • See the summary of changes document for more information on what’s been updated in this revised specification.

Register to watch a recording of our live online training session to hear more about this revised specification from Chief Examiner Vanessa Harrison.

View the current International AS and A-level Business (9625) specification and resources (final May/June exams for AS in 2026, and for A2 in 2027).

International AS and A-level Business (9725) – revised

OxfordAQA International AS/A-level Business covers the following topics: 

AS: 

  • What is business? 
  • Marketing 
  • Operational performance 
  • Human resources 
  • Finance 

A-level only: 

  • Mission, objectives and strategy 
  • Analysing the existing internal position of a business 
  • Analysing the industry environment 
  • Analysing the external environment to assess opportunities and threats 
  • Strategic options 
  • Strategic positioning  
  • Deciding on a strategic investment 
  • Types of strategies 
  • Implementing a strategy

OxfordAQA provides all the resources and advice you need to teach the International AS and A-level Business specification effectively.

Please visit our resource area for teachers for more resources and support.  

AS Unit 1 – Business and Markets: 

  • Any part of section 3.1 of the specification may be assessed 
  • 1 hour 15 minutes 
  • 60 marks 
  • 50% of AS-level, 20% of A-level 
  • First exam opportunity from May/June 2027

AS Unit 2 – Managing Operations, Human Resources and Finance: 

  • Any part of section 3.2 of the specification may be assessed 
  • 1 hour 15 minutes 
  • 60 marks 
  • 50% of AS-level, 20% of A-level 
  • First exam opportunity from May/June 2027 

A-level Unit 3 – Business Analysis: 

  • Any part of section 3.3 of the specification may be assessed 
  • 1 hour 45 minutes 
  • 80 marks 
  • 30% of A-level 
  • First exam opportunity May/June 2028  

A-level Unit 4 – Strategy: 

  • Any part of section 3.4 of the specification may be assessed 
  • 1 hour 45 minutes 
  • 80 marks 
  • 30% of A-level 
  • First exam opportunity May/June 2028  

Re-sits  

  • Candidates may re-sit a unit any number of times. 
  • The best result for each unit will count towards the final qualification. 
  • Candidates who wish to repeat a qualification may do so by re-sitting one or more units. 

You must be an approved OxfordAQA centre to enter students for our exams. Make sure you become an OxfordAQA centre before you start teaching a course. 

OxfordAQA International AS and A-level Business specification cover
Course specification
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