business GCSE

GCSE - BUSINESS

The aim of the Edexcel GCSE Business specification is to enable students to develop knowledge and understanding of how businesses start, operate and develop. This course enables students to develop the fundamental and necessary business and personal skills that will equip them with what they need for the world of work, further education, training, or indeed start their own company. Students who like practical work, undertake time-based challenges, problem solve and show creativity will be well suited. They should have a general interest in business, but also a desire to develop their personal skills set.

The course contains two examinations, consisting of the following aspects: 1 hour and 30 minutes - 90 marks each. ● Questions will relate to the content that appears in Year 10 - Theme 1 or Year 11 – Theme 2 ● The papers are divided into three sections - Section A: 35 marks; Section B: 30 marks; Section C: 25 marks. ● The papers will consist of calculations, multiple–choice, short–answer and extended–writing questions. ● Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the papers.

The qualification is divided into 2 themes. These are:

Theme 1 - Investigating Small Business (50% of the qualification)

Theme 1 is assessed through an external written examination. It concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. In this theme, students 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.

Theme 2 - Building the Business (50% of qualification)

Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. Theme 2 also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows. In this theme, students will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. National contexts build on those in Theme 1 and relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Global contexts relate to non-UK or transnational businesses.

Where can GCSE Business lead?

Students taking GCSE Business can progress to ‘A’ level Business Studies here at Idsall or any other post 16 Business qualification. Many also use the qualification to gain an insight into starting their own business or Apprenticeship in various industries. Alternatively, students use GCSE Business as a springboard into other related courses such as Accounting and Finance, Law, Economics, Geography and Product Design.

PLEASE NOTE: Final decisions regarding the best route (GCSE or OCR National) for students will be made following further discussion and guidance given to each student.

View the PDF here for more information.