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Pearson Edexcel · A Level

Pearson Edexcel A Level Business

Business for Pearson Edexcel A Level (syllabus YBS11) — what the qualification covers, and the study material Marlbridge publishes for it.

Syllabus
YBS11
Board
Pearson Edexcel
Qualification
A Level

At a glance

Qualification
Pearson Edexcel A Level Business
Spec code
YBS11
Does Marlbridge teach it?
Yes
Are resources available?
Yes — 6 published
Is enrolment open?
Enquire to join — no online enrolment yet
Where was this verified?
2026-08-19, official Pearson Edexcel specification

Compiled and maintained by the Marlbridge Academic Team, checked against the official Pearson Edexcel specification on 2026-08-19.

Spotted something wrong on this page? Report an error — see the corrections policy.

The qualification

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Business (YBS11 / XBS11)

Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Business develops learners' understanding of business concepts, decision-making and strategy through a modular four-unit structure. — Pearson Edexcel, official syllabus page

Issue 1, September 2017. Modular qualification: International AS (units 1-2, code XBS11) covering Marketing and people, and Managing business activities; full International A Level (units 1-4, code YBS11) adds Business decisions and strategy, and Global business.

Specifications change between examination series. Always confirm the current syllabus and assessment structure on the Pearson Edexcel syllabus page for your examination year.

Assessment structure

Modular qualification

Assessment components for Pearson Edexcel Business YBS11
Component Duration Marks Weighting Type
WBS11/01: Unit 1: Marketing and People 2h 80 25% Unit
WBS12/01: Unit 2: Managing Business Activities 2h 80 25% Unit
WBS13/01: Unit 3: Business Decisions and Strategy 2h 80 25% Unit
WBS14/01: Unit 4: Global Business 2h 80 25% Unit

Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28. Directly confirmed against the official PDF (Specification Issue 1, September 2017): a four-unit modular structure -- two IAS units (1-2) plus two IA2 units (3-4), each externally assessed, each 2h/80marks/25% of the full IAL. Units 1 and 2 each: Section A and B are short- and extended-response questions based on different source booklets (30 marks each), Section C one 20-mark essay from a source. Units 3 and 4 each: Section A short/extended-response questions based on sources (40 marks), Sections B and C each one 20-mark essay question. The International Advanced Subsidiary (XBS11) is claimed on Units 1-2 alone; the full International Advanced Level (YBS11) requires all four units. First teaching September 2018, first examination January 2019, first certification August 2019 (IAS) and August 2020 (full IAL).

Assessment FAQs

How is Pearson Edexcel Business (YBS11) assessed?

Pearson Edexcel Business (YBS11) is assessed through: WBS11/01 (Unit 1: Marketing and People) — 2h, 80 marks, 25% of the qualification; WBS12/01 (Unit 2: Managing Business Activities) — 2h, 80 marks, 25% of the qualification; WBS13/01 (Unit 3: Business Decisions and Strategy) — 2h, 80 marks, 25% of the qualification; WBS14/01 (Unit 4: Global Business) — 2h, 80 marks, 25% of the qualification. It is a modular qualification. Source: official Pearson Edexcel specification, verified 2026-08-28.

The subject

Business teaching and study resources, organised by level and topic.

All Business at Marlbridge

Syllabus topics

The 4 topics below are the official subject content of Pearson Edexcel International Advanced Level Business (YBS11 / XBS11), for the Issue 1, September 2017 examination series, reproduced from the Pearson Edexcel syllabus document.

A topic listed here is part of the syllabus. It does not mean Marlbridge has published material for it — topics with resources are marked. Marlbridge currently has resources for 2 of 4 topics.

AS Level

Topics 1–22. Studied in the first year, and assessed on the AS papers.

  1. AS 1 Marketing and people

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Meeting customer needs · The market · Marketing mix and strategy · Managing people · Entrepreneurs and leaders

  2. AS 2 Managing business activities

    3 Marlbridge resources

    Planning a business and raising finance · Financial planning · Managing finance

A Level

Topics 23–37. Studied in addition to the AS content for the full A Level.

  1. A 3 Business decisions and strategy

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

  2. A 4 Global business

    Syllabus topic · no resource yet

Source: Pearson Edexcel -- official International Advanced Level Business specification PDF (YBS11 / XBS11), Issue 1, September 2017 — Issue 1, September 2017 series. Verified 2026-08-19. Always check the current syllabus for your examination year.

Study resources

Revision material

Exam preparation

Business at other qualifications

These are separate qualifications with different syllabuses and assessments — not different names for the same course. Check which one your school enters you for.

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