business studies

Business Studies allows learners the chance to experience the dynamic environment in which business operates and appreciate the many factors which impact on business activity and business behaviour.  Learners will develop and enhance a clear understanding of the issues facing UK businesses in the 21st century, as well as how businesses are required to constantly adapt in an ever-changing, competitive and increasingly interconnected environment.

The AQA Business Studies curriculum is built into six specific topics: Marketing, Finance, Business in the Real World, Human Resources, Business Operations and Influences on a Business, in which learners will be required to not only develop a secure understanding of, but to then apply that knowledge in order to solve various business problems largely through the lens of UK businesses.

To be successful in Business Studies learners should have a genuine interest in the world of business, how it works and how it impacts society as a whole. They should be prepared to problem solve, analyse and evaluate business options and then present well justified business decisions that are supported by both sound contextual knowledge and supporting primary and secondary evidence.

Computers are regularly used throughout the course in order to learn about business computing.

Learners will work through a number of integrated lessons during each of the six topics, in order to develop and enhance a good contextual knowledge and understanding across each aspect of the course. Independent study tasks will be attached to most of these sessions and all lesson PDFs and resources across all topics can be accessed at any time via the Business Studies Google Site, which also includes quick links and useful video clips throughout. Following the completion of each topic learners will spend up to three sessions completing a small investigation, in which they’ll apply the knowledge they’ve developed in the previous sessions, with the aim of consolidating and enhancing the depth of their understanding, as well as providing a platform to help develop their time management, organisational and problem solving skills. Learners will also sit an end of topic assessment for each of the units.

This course is for anyone who is interested in learning skills that they can use in everyday life such as managing people and budgeting. Learners must be eager to learn how businesses operate and how they themselves can become successful business people, and whilst the course will lay the foundations for those interested in pursuing higher education and/or a career in finance or business, it is certainly not a necessary requirement.  That said, those that opt into the subject should have a passion for investigating the world of business, in order to make clear connections between the content delivered in the classroom and the ever-changing nature of business in the real world. It is also suited to anyone who has a ‘can do’ approach to learning, and a willingness to evaluate multiple options before making a clear and justifiable business decision of their own.

The course is currently divided into two parts – ‘Influences of operations and HRM on business activity’ and ‘Influences of marketing and finance on business activity’.

‘Influences of operations and HRM on business activity’ – learners will develop their understanding across four key topics during this aspect of the course: ‘Business in the Real World’, ‘Influences on a Business’, ‘Business Operations’ and ‘Human Resources’.  These topics will offer learners the opportunity to analyse how businesses recruit their workforce, develop customer loyalty and choose the business structure that best suits their current aims and objectives.  Learners will also develop entrepreneurial skills and have an opportunity to investigate existing entrepreneurs.  There is a 1 hour 45 minute written paper that learners will sit at the end of C11 which will assess their understanding across these topics.

‘Influences of marketing and finance on business activity’ – learners will then explore the world of ‘Marketing’ and ‘Finance’, as well as developing their understanding across the ‘Business in the Real World’ and ‘Influences on Business’ topics, but from the perspective of expanding a business, rather than just starting it.  Learners will study how businesses apply different marketing strategies to try and secure a competitive edge, different ways to apply for and manage finances and how to conduct both primary and secondary research in order to develop an advantageous understanding of the current market and possible changes in trend.  This aspect of the course is also assessed at the end of the course in a 1 hour 45 minute written paper.

There will be two written examination papers, both worth 50%.  Paper 1 – ‘Influences of Operations and HRM on Business Activity’ (Business in the Real World, Influences on Business, Business Operations and Human Resources).  Paper 2 – ‘Influences of Marketing and Finance on Business Activity’ (Business in the Real World, Influences on Business, Marketing, Finance).

Both papers are divided into three sections.  Section A has multiple choice questions and short answer questions worth 20 marks.  Section B has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 34 marks.  Section C has one case study/data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 36 marks.

GCSE Business can be the basis for further study at A Level or BTEC.  You may then go on to a degree or a professional qualification in accountancy, management science, marketing, the law or the media.  Alternatively, you may set up your own business! 

Mrs Sharon Palmer, Subject Leader for Business Studies (spalmer@honywoodschool.com)