Business Management - Higher

SCQF Framework

SCQF Level: 6

SCQF Credit Points: 24

Skills Framework

Delivering Centre

Vale of Leven Academy

Purpose and Aims

The course highlights the different ways in which large organisations operate. Candidates learn to understand and make use of business information to interpret and report on overall business performance, in a range of contexts. Using current business theory and practice, the course reflects the integrated nature of large organisations, their functions and decision making processes.

Candidates develop understanding of:

  • the ways in which society relies on organisations and how external influences can affect them
  • a range of methods that businesses and other organisations use to meet customer needs
  • enterprising skills and attributes
  • how to analyse and interpret business information and communicate it in a clear and concise way

Recommended Entry

It would be beneficial if candidates have achieved the National 5 Business Management course or equivalent qualifications and/or experience prior to starting this course.

A National 5 in English would be preferred.

Progression

This Course or its Units may provide progression to:

  • Advanced Higher Business Management course
  • other qualifications in business management or related areas
  • further study, employment and/or training

Career Options

Further Information

BBC Bitesize

Scholar

Course Content

The course consists of five areas of study:

Understanding business

Candidates develop their understanding of how large organisations in the private, public and third sectors operate, make decisions and pursue their strategic goals. They analyse the impact that internal and external environments have on an organisation’s activity, and consider the implications of these factors.

Management of marketing

Candidates develop their understanding of the importance of effective marketing systems to large organisations. They learn about the relevant theories, concepts and procedures used by organisations to improve competitiveness and customer satisfaction.

Management of operations

Candidates develop their understanding of the importance of effective operations systems to large organisations. They learn about the relevant theories, concepts and procedures used by organisations to improve and/or maintain quality, and the importance of satisfying both internal and external customers’ needs.

Management of people

Candidates develop their understanding of the issues that large organisations face when managing people. They learn about the relevant theories, concepts and procedures used by organisations when dealing with staff, including retention, training, leadership and motivation.

Management of finance

Candidates develop their understanding of the issues that large organisations face when managing finance. They learn about the relevant theories, concepts and procedures used by organisations in financial situations.

Course Assessment Structure

Question paper 90 marks

The question paper gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to:

  • apply and integrate knowledge and understanding of business concepts from all aspects of the course
  • use data handling techniques to interpret and analyse business information
  • draw valid conclusions and suggest resolutions to business-related issues

The question paper has a total mark allocation of 90 marks. This is 75% of the overall marks for the course assessment. The question paper has two sections.

Section 1 is worth 30 marks and contains one question. This is a multi-part question, with each part attracting a mark from a range of 1–8 marks. The question is based on stimulus material in the form of a case study and samples course content from any of the five areas of study. The stimulus material is based on a real organisation and can include text, financial information, graphs, diagrams and charts. The question generally relates to the stimulus, although some could be based on topics surrounding the stimulus material.

Section 2 is worth 60 marks and contains four questions worth 15 marks each. These are multi-part questions, with each part attracting a mark from a range of 1–8 marks. This section samples course content from any of the five areas of study.

Candidates have 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the question paper.

Assignment 30 marks

The assignment gives candidates the opportunity to demonstrate:

  • select an appropriate business and topic
  • collect information/evidence relating to the context of the assignment, from a range of sources
  • apply relevant business concepts and theories to the context of the assignment
  • analyse and evaluate the business data/information
  • solve problems by applying relatively complex business ideas and concepts relevant to the context of the assignment
  • communicate valid, justified conclusions and/or recommendations
  • produce a business report relating to the context of the assignment

The assignment has a total mark allocation of 30 marks. This is 25% of the overall marks for the course assessment. Marks are awarded for:

  • introduction 2 marks
  • research 4 marks
  • analysis and interpretation 13 marks
  • conclusions and recommendations 10 marks
  • structure 1 mark

The assignment is conducted under some degree of supervision and control and is marked externally by the SQA. The assignment is designed to be completed over a notional period of 8 hours. This includes time for research and producing the final business report.