Academic Departments - Business Studies

GCSE Business Studies
Welcome to 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:

	People in Organisation;
	Organising to Achieve Objectives;
	Business Structure, Control and Organisation;
	The Business Environment

Assessment

	Written Paper	2 hours	75% of final mark
	Coursework	8-10weeks	25% of final mark

A Level Business Studies

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

	Business Structures, Objectives and External Influences;
	Marketing and Production;
	Financial Management;
	Analysis and Decision Making;
	Business Planning;
	Corporate Strategy.

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.

Synoptic Assessment
All specifications should include a minimum of 20 percent synoptic assessment. Synoptic assessment relates to all the assessment objectives. The definition of synoptic assessment in the context of Business Studies is as follows:

	synoptic assessment should address the requirement that Advanced GCE Business Studies specifications should encourage students to see the relationship between different aspects of the subject.
	synoptic assessment involves the explicit integration of knowledge, understanding and skills learned in different parts of the Advanced GCE courses.

Ways in which synoptic assessment might be conducted include:

	decision-making / problem-solving exercises, requiring students to draw together knowledge, understanding and skills learned throughout the course to tackle a decision, problem or issue that is new to them
	a case study within which specific questions require students to apply knowledge, understanding and skills learned throughout the course
	internal assessment requiring students to apply knowledge, understanding and skills learned in other parts of the course, eg a project based on work experience

The content of Unit 6 is synoptic because it brings together all elements of business in the formulation of a corporate strategy. The paper for this unit will, therefore, be entirely synoptic.

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 provide productive to UCAS application forms.

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