The Business department runs two qualifications:  GCSE Business and the Enterprise and Marketing qualification.  Both subjects will lead to a GCSE or equivalent level qualification (for example, a Level 2 Distinction* in Enterprise and Marketing is equivalent to a grade 9 GCSE).  The GCSE is examination only at the end of the two years, the Enterprise and Marketing Certificate is a combination of coursework and exam units, also two years in duration.

Business GCSE

 What does the course involve?

The Edexcel GCSE Business course allows an integrated and interactive approach to business post 16. The course will enable students to focus on the dynamic nature of the contemporary business world, provide opportunities for research into topical  business issues and offer opportunities for the development and application of a full range of academic skills.

What will you study?

Theme 1 - Investigating Small Businesses

Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. In this theme, you will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. Local contexts refer specifically to small businesses or those operating in a single UK location and national contexts relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. The topics you will cover in Theme 1 are:

• Enterprise and entrepreneurship

• Spotting a business opportunity

• Putting a business idea into practice 

• Making the business effective

• Understanding external influences on business

 Theme 2 - Building a Business

Theme 2 focuses on the issues and decisions used to grow a business, with an emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. You will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour, decisions and how businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK through learning about global businesses or transnational businesses contexts. The topics you will cover in Theme 2 are:

• Growing the business

• Making marketing decisions

• Making operational decisions

• Making financial decisions

• Making human resource decisions

 How will you be assessed?

You will have two examinations at the end of your second year of study:

What can this course lead to?

This course naturally progresses into A Level Business or Economics, or a T Level in Business or Finance.  Many business students go into management and administration jobs in businesses and a business qualification can also be helpful to get into finance, banking or insurance.