Business A level: NEC’s Move from AQA to Pearson Edexcel International A level

Why We Are Changing Our Online Business A level Course from AQA to Pearson Edexcel

AQA is making significant changes to its A level Business specification. 

NEC could have rewritten our A level Business online course to match. Instead, we have decided to move to Pearson Edexcel International A level Business (A level YBS11, AS level XBS11). We are doing this because we believe it is the better long-term fit for our learners.

Our Reasons For Changing from AQA to Pearson Edexcel

• A chance to do this properly – Keeping up with AQA would have meant major changes to our materials anyway. Moving lets us rebuild the course as modern, interactive online learning, with new course materials for learners who need them, rather than patching what we have.
• Modular flexibility – AQA’s A level is linear: everything rests on one set of exams at the end. The International A level is split into four units that can be sat separately. So you can sit exams as you finish studying the content for each unit, revise one or two units at a time, and retake a single unit without redoing the whole qualification.
• Three exam windows a year – International A level exams are offered in January, June and October, giving more chances to progress at a pace that suits you.
• Remote invigilation – As an Approved Pearson Online School, we can offer the option of sitting exams at home with remote invigilation. You can still book a desk at a traditional exam centre if you prefer.
• A global outlook – The International A level is designed with an international business mindset and is relevant to students in the UK and overseas alike.
• Clear, accessible papers – We think the International A level’s straightforward question style will suit many of our learners.
• Much of your learning carries over – We estimate that around 70–80% of our current course content can be reused for the International A level, so a switch does not mean starting again.

Is the Pearson Edexcel International A level Worth the Same as an AQA A level?

Yes. The International A level (IAL) is recognised by universities worldwide and is valued in the same way as the AQA A level for UCAS purposes. 

The main differences are the modular structure and the global context of the case studies.

Key Dates for the Move to an International A level

Date	What happens
31st October 2026	Last date to enrol on NEC’s AQA A level Business course.
January 2027	NEC’s online Edexcel International A level Business course opens for enrolment and transfers.
June 2027	Final AQA A level Business (7132) exam sitting through NEC.
2028	Exams for NEC students studying Edexcel International A level Business course.

What this Change Means if You Are Alredy Enrolled on the AQA A level Business Course With NEC

If you are already enrolled on NEC’s A level Business online course you have two clear paths. Which one is right for you depends on when you plan to sit your exams.

A: Continue With the AQA Course and Sit Your Exams in 2027

If you are on track to take your exams in Summer 2027, carry on exactly as you are. For most students, there is nothing you need to do.

• Your course materials will not change. We will not be updating the AQA course.
• Your final exam sitting for the AQA A level (7132) is June 2027.
• If you find you are not going to be ready for June 2027, speak to us early. The option to transfer to the International A level can be discussed.

After June 2027 the AQA specification will no longer be available through NEC. 

If you have not completed your exams by then, we will support you to move to the Edexcel International A level, though you may need to study some new content.

B: Switch to the Edexcel International A level and Sit Your Exams in 2028

If you are aiming to sit exams in 2028, or you do not expect to be ready for Summer 2027, you can move to the new Edexcel International A level course when it opens in January 2027. We cannot offer transfers before then.

What You Have Already Learned, and What Will Change if You Switch to Edexcel’s International A level

The AQA and Pearson Edexcl specifications share most of their core content. 

The biggest differences are in strategy, where the International A level is less theoretical, and in some of the quantitative techniques.

Area	How much carries over	What changes
Marketing	About 80%	Elasticity is calculated as well as interpreted. Correlation and confidence intervals are not required. Extrapolation from scatter graphs is still covered
Operations	About 80%	Operational calculations are kept but at a more basic level.
Finance	About 70%	Payables days, receivables days and inventory turnover are not required. Net present value is still covered.
Human Resources	About 85%	HR metrics such as labour cost per unit are not required. Labour productivity, labour turnover and absenteeism are still covered.
Strategy	About 40%	Models such as Lewin’s Force Field Analysis are not required. Ansoff’s Matrix and Porter’s models (including the Five Forces) are still covered.
Global Business	About 85%	Covered in its own unit, at less depth on offshoring and reshoring.

What You Will Need to Learn That is New if You Switch to the International A level

If you opt for Path B and switch to the Pearson Edexcel International A level you will learn:

• Value creation and adding value
• Niche versus mass markets – in more depth
• Intrapreneurship, entrepreneurial characteristics and barriers to entrepreneurship
• Financing methods such as business angels and peer-to-peer funding.

Which Path Should I Choose If I am Studying A level Business With NEC?

• If you are close to finishing and confident of sitting your exams in Summer 2027, stay with AQA (Path A).
• If you are earlier in the course, or need more time, the International A level gives you a route to sit your exams in 2028 and a flexible way to take them. Switch to Pearson Edexcel (Path B).

If you are unsure, or you are a school-sponsored student, or have an EHCP, please talk to us before deciding. Email student.support@nec.ac.uk

How the International A level is Assessed

The International A level has four units, each with its own exam. 

They cover the same ground as the AQA course, organised differently.

Unit	Title
Unit 1	Marketing and People
Unit 2	Managing Business Activities
Unit 3	Business Decisions and Strategy
Unit 4	Global Business

How the International A level Works

• Modular – You can sit each unit’s exam once you have finished studying the associated content, rather than sitting everything at the end of two years.
• Bank your results – Once you have passed a unit, that result is banked.
• Targeted resits – If one unit goes less well, you retake that unit only.
• Three windows a year – You can sit exams in January, June and October.
• Question style – Each exam includes structured questions and essay-style questions. There is no pre-released case study.
• Where you sit – At home with remote invigilation, or at an exam centre.

How This Compares with AQA

The AQA specification is linear, with all exams at the end. 

The Pearson Edexcel International A level lets you spread the load. The standard of the qualification is the same, and the International A level is described as clear and well structured.

NEC A level Business Students: Choose Your Next Steps

If you are studying NEC’s online A level Business course you should choose your next step:

• If you are happy to continue with AQA and sit your exams in 2027, you need do nothing. 
• If you would like to talk about switching to the International A level (IAL), contact student.support@nec.ac.uk

If you have any questions about your next step contact NEC’s Student Support Team. Email: student.support@nec.ac.uk

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Interested in Studying International A level Business Online With NEC?

If you are not currently studying A level Business with NEC, and are interested in the International A level Business course get in touch to register your interest for when the enrolments open in January 2027.

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