Nature of the Subject

The course gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge and critical understanding to current issues and problems in a wide range of business contexts. 

They will develop their critical thinking skills to distinguish between facts and opinions, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data in order to help build arguments and make informed judgements.appreciate the perspectives of a range of stakeholders in relation to the business environment, individuals,society, government and enterprise develop knowledge and understanding of the major groups and organisations within and outside business, and consider ways in which they are able to influence objectives, decisions and activities

Students will also develop knowledge and understanding of how the main types of businesses are organised, financed and operated, and how their relations with other organisations, consumers, employees, owners and society are regulated and develop skills of numeracy, literacy, enquiry, selection and use of relevant sources of information, presentation and interpretation.

Syllabus & Content

Business is the study of applying ideas to create or add value to a product or service in order to generate a profit. 

Business students learn how to research information and develop ideas to solve problems. Students will study the following 5 topics; 

Business and its environment 

People in organisations 

Marketing Operations and project management 

Finance and Accounting 

Year 13 students will go into more detail for each of the 5 topics already covered and will also add in study of the topic of Strategic management.

Assessment

Year 12

AS students will take 2 papers: 

Paper 1 Short answer and essay

Section A: Four short answer questions (20 marks)

Section B: One essay from a choice of three questions (20 marks)

Paper 2 Data response

Two data response questions based on AS Level syllabus content

Year 13

Students will take Two Papers 

Paper 3 Business Decision-Making 1 hour 45 minutes (60 marks)

Five questions based on a case study.

Paper 4  Business Strategy 1 hour 15 minutes (40 marks)

Two essay questions based on a case study.

Teacher Introduction

Aside from learning general theory about how to run a business, students gain skills that improve employability and stay with them for the rest of their lives, regardless of future career.

Students will understand how organisations operate. This will be useful for any company students join or interact with and their knowledge of the ins and outs of the running of a business will make them a useful, adaptable and confident employee. 

Good decision-making is an invaluable quality.  Business Studies allows students to develop the ability to quickly and efficiently make sensible, logical and informed decisions. This will save time and hassle in both your personal and professional life and will stay with you throughout your entire life. 

Students also develop you numeracy skills as they study investment, funding and how to use and interpret financial data. These mathematical abilities are widely useful and will demonstrate to future employers that students have a logical, analytical mind. Studying how organisations adjust to a changing market will teach students how to be adaptable and flexible . This is an extremely useful and desirable quality that will makes students more than capable of taking on multiple roles within a career. 

Business Studies also forces students to be organised and to plan ahead. Learning how to generate marketable ideas, access resources and develop business plans all require a great deal of organisation. This is a crucial skill that will definitely serve students well no matter what career they decide to pursue. 

Problem solving is a significant part of Business Studies. Aspects of the course such as coming up with a business plan that works, adapting to changes in the market and deciding whether or not it would benefit a company to employ people all require problem solving. Students will become good at coming up with elegant and logical solutions to problems which employers, of course, love. Presentation skills are really important so a subject that allows students to develop them is a definite advantage. Practising presenting improves your oral communication, diction and confidence, which are all valuable life skills.