Business Studies (GCSE)

Exam Board: Edexcel

Course Overview:

The aims and objectives of this qualification are to enable students to: 

• Know and understand business concepts, business terminology, business objectives, the integrated 

nature of business activity and the impact of business on individuals and wider society 

• Apply knowledge and understanding to contemporary business issues and to different types and sizes of businesses in local, national and global contexts 

• Develop as enterprising individuals with the ability to think commercially and creatively to demonstrate business acumen and draw on evidence to make informed business decisions and solve business problems 

• Develop as effective and independent students, and as critical and reflective thinkers with enquiring minds 

• Use an enquiring, critical approach to make informed judgements 

• Investigate and analyse real business opportunities and issues to construct well-argued, well-evidenced, balanced and structured arguments, demonstrating their depth and breadth of understanding of business 

• Develop and apply quantitative skills relevant to business, including using and interpreting data. 

Course Content:

Theme 1 comprises five topic areas: 

Topic 1.1 - Enterprise and entrepreneurship – students are introduced to the dynamic nature of business in relation to how  and why business ideas come about. They also explore the impact of risk and reward on business activity and the role of entrepreneurship. 

Topic 1.2  - Spotting a business opportunity – students will explore how new and small businesses identify opportunities through understanding customer needs and conducting market research. They will also focus on understanding the competition. 

Topic 1.3 - Putting a business idea into practice – this topic focuses on making a business idea happen through identifying aims and  objectives and concentrating on the financial aspects. 

Topic 1.4 - Making the business effective – students will explore a range of factors that impact on the success of the business,   including location, the marketing mix and the business plan. 

Topic 1.5 - Understanding external influences on business – students are introduced to a range of factors, many of which are outside of the immediate control of the business, such as stakeholders, technology, legislation and the economy. Students will explore how businesses respond to these influences.

Theme 2 comprises five topic areas: 

Topic 2.1 - Growing the business – students are introduced to methods of growth and how and why business aims and objectives change as businesses evolve. The impact of globalisation and the ethical and environmental questions facing  businesses are explored. 

Topic 2.2  - Making marketing decisions – students will explore how each element of the marketing mix is managed and used to inform and make business decisions in a competitive marketplace. 

Topic 2.3 - Making operational decisions – this topic focuses on meeting customer needs through the design, supply, quality and sales decisions a business makes. 

Topic 2.4 - Making financial decisions – students will explore the tools a business has to support financial decision making,  including ratio analysis and the use and limitation of a range of financial information. 

Topic 2.5 - Making human resource decisions – growing a business means that decisions relating to organisational structure, recruitment, training and motivation need to be made to influence business activity. These aspects are considered in this final topic. 

Quantitative skills for Theme 2

Students must draw on their knowledge and understanding of Theme 2 topics to apply a range of quantitative skills relevant  to business contexts. This includes calculations and the interpretation, use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in business contexts to support, inform and justify business decisions. These will be embedded within the examination for this qualification.

Assessment Structure:

There are 2 assessments of 1 hour and 30 minutes. Each assessment carries a maximum of 90 marks. The first paper relates to the content that appears in Theme 1, the second paper relates to the content in Theme 2. 

The paper is divided into three sections. 

• Section A: 35 marks 

• Section B: 30 marks 

• Section C: 25 marks. 

Students must answer all questions. The paper will consist of calculations, multiple–choice, short–answer and extended–writing questions. The paper will include questions that will require students to apply mathematics which is commensurate with a secondary education setting. Questions in Sections B and C will be based on business contexts given in the paper. Calculators may be used in the examination.

Extra Curricular Opportunities:

The Business team believe very strongly in a students’ all-round educational experience. Our trips and extra-curricular activities play an important part and we encourage all of our students to engage with the opportunities on offer.

Career Prospects and Transferable Skills:

Students will learn the skills required to run a business or skills such as managing money, advertising and employing staff. Students will hone their analytical and critical skills and learn to communicate and understand key business concepts and terminology. Business is a major part of all our lives. Those students who choose to study GCSE Business Studies have an immediate advantage in the future when pursuing a career in business or further study by developing: 

An understanding of how organisations operate.

• Strong communication skills (oral and written)

• Analytical and critical thinking

• Problem solving

• Decision making

• Logical thinking

• Presentation and report writing skills

Further Information: Toby Adams (Head of Business) - email: toby.adams@scwa.org.uk