GCSE Business

The Edexcel GCSE in Business is a qualification that is engaging and inspiring, and which reflects the demands of a truly modern and evolving business environment – a qualification that enables students to develop as commercially-minded and enterprising individuals. You will encounter practical and engaging case studies, and real and relevant business examples.

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to:

  • know and understand business concepts, terminology, objectives, and the impact of business on individuals and wider society

  • apply knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts

  • develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen, and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems

  • develop as effective and independent students, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds

  • investigate and analyse real business opportunities and issues to construct well-argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments

  • develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data


CONTENT

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship

  • Spotting a business opportunity – understanding customer needs; market research; competition

  • Putting a business idea into practice – identifying aims and objectives; financial aspects

  • Making the business effective – location; marketing; business plans

  • External influences on business – stakeholders; technology; legislation; the economy

  • Growing the business – globalisation; ethical and environmental questions

  • Marketing decisions

  • Operational decisions – design; supply; quality; sales

  • Financial decisions – business tools, including ratio analysis; use of financial information

  • Human resource decisions – organisational structure; recruitment; training; motivation


ASSESSMENT

Written examination 1: Investigating small business

  • 1 hour and 30 minutes

  • 90 marks (50% of the qualification)

Written examination 2: Building a business

  • 1 hour and 30 minutes

  • 90 marks (50%)


PROGRESSION AT POST-16 & BEYOND

Students can progress to A Levels in Business or Economics, or BTEC Nationals in Business, all of which are available at RR6.


CAREERS

GCSE Business provides a strong foundation for employment, apprenticeships and further training, in a wide range of careers such as banking, sales and general management.