Academic Departments - Business Studies

GCSE Business Studies

This course will provide an insight into the dynamic world of business and the interdependency of aspects such as accounting, marketing, economics, human resources, production, and management. This multi-dimensional subject will offer you a high degree of versatility in career choice; for example management, administration, marketing, financial services or human resources.

The Specification
The GCSE specification is compiled by AQA. The four main topics covered are:

Assessment

A Level Business Studies

The Specification
The AS and A2 specification is compiled by EDEXCEL. The main topics covered are:

AS level

Unit 1: How to develop successful businesses and how new or existing businesses generate their product or service ideas and test them through market research. Students investigate competition in the market; the economic climate; how the business might be financed and how much revenue the idea might generate.

Unit 2a: Examine how to set up and/or manage a business whether small, medium-sized or large. It also introduces students to some basic management tools and models.

A2 level

Unit 3: Students consider the world of international business and issues which a company trading internationally would have to consider.

Unit 4a: Students will assess the current competitiveness of a business through performance and non performance indicators. They will analyse corporate objectives and strategy on the basis of these indicators and on external influences to the business. Students will be required to assess the causes and effects of change on a business and examine how the company could manage risk effectively.

The specification is characterised by the principles of progression, integration and investigation. Students will progress through the course and, as more ideas and concepts are introduced, they are expected to continue using previously learned concepts in their analysis. The progressive nature of the course encourages the development of an integrated understanding of business studies.

Enrichment Activities
Students taking Business Studies will be able to participate in club activities. All extra-curricular activities and visits have a strong focus on business related matters and help to add context to the experiences learnt and are useful additions to UCAS application forms.

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