HGS Business Studies

Course Overview

Course Overview

Studying business provides an opportunity for students to study the real world of business, finding out along the way why businesses exist and what they do to be successful. Students learn that businesses are likely to be profitable if they meet the needs and wants of their customers but that profit is not the only measure of success. We want students to be genuinely interested in asking why some firms thrive and others fail and likewise with entire economies. 

This course is structured into four themes.  Students are introduced to business in Themes 1 and 2 through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. Breadth and depth of knowledge and understanding, with applications to a wider range of contexts and more complex business information, are developed in Themes 3 and 4, requiring students to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues. 

All units are assessed by written examination.

Theme 1: Marketing and People

• meeting customer needs  

• the market  

• marketing mix and strategy  

• managing people  

• entrepreneurs and leaders

Theme 2: Managing Business Activities

• raising finance  

• financial planning  

• managing finance  

• resource management  

• external influences. 

Theme 3: Business Decisions and Strategy 

• business objectives and strategy  

• business growth  

• decision-making techniques 

• influences on business decisions  

• assessing competitiveness  

• managing change. 

Theme 4: Global Business

• globalisation  

• global markets and business expansion  

• global marketing  

• global industries and companies (multinational corporations). 

This course offers students the chance to develop skills, knowledge and understanding which prepares them for entry to the workplace, perhaps on an apprenticeship in business finance or management or onto a university course. Many students have, in the past, gone into higher education degree courses in business or specific aspects of business. An increasing minority are finding apprenticeships with big accounting firms, manufacturing firms and public sector organisations.

Course Entry Requirements

5 or above at GCSE

Course Specification

Edexcel 9BS0

https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/A%20Level/Business%20Studies/2015/specification-and-sample-assessment-materials/9781446914694_GCE2015_A_BUS_WEB.PDF

Homework

At A Level, students are expected to complete a minimum of 5 hours of study a week on top of their allocated lesson time.