Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies is accepted by universities and employers as proof of an understanding of business concepts and techniques across a range of different types of businesses. Learners will be able to:

• understand different forms of business organisations, the environments in which businesses operate and 

• business functions such as marketing, operations and finance appreciate the role of people in business success.

They will also gain lifelong skills, including:

• the ability to calculate and interpret business data

• communication skills needed to support arguments with reasons

• the ability to analyse business situations and reach decisions or judgements.

Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills learners need for their next steps in education or employment.

The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.

The aims are to enable students to:

• apply their knowledge and critical understanding to current issues and problems in a wide range of business contexts

• make effective use of relevant terminology, concepts and methods, and recognise the strengths and limitations of the ideas used in business

• distinguish between facts and opinions, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data in order to help build arguments and make informed judgements

• appreciate the perspectives of a range of stakeholders in relation to the business environment, individuals, society, government and enterprise

•  develop knowledge and understanding of the major groups and organisations within and outside business, and consider ways in which they are able to influence objectives, decisions and activities

• develop knowledge and understanding of how the main types of businesses are organised, financed and operated, and how their relations with other organisations, consumers, employees, owners and society are regulated

• develop skills of numeracy, literacy, enquiry, selection and use of relevant sources of information, presentation and interpretation

•  develop an awareness of the nature and significance of innovation and change within the context of business activities

• acquire a foundation for further study of business or other subjects.

1. Understanding business activity

This section introduces the underlying ideas and concepts of business and includes the purpose and nature of business activity and how businesses can be classified. Enterprise and entrepreneurs, and why some businesses grow while others remain small are further important issues. How business size can be measured, types of business organisation, business objectives and stakeholder objectives are the concluding topics.

2. People in business

The focus is the functional area of human resources and includes the importance and methods of motivating a workforce. How businesses are organised and managed and the methods of recruitment, selection and training of employees are also considered. Finally, the section covers the importance and methods of effective internal and external communication.

3. Marketing

This section includes the role of marketing, the distinctions between niche and mass markets and the techniques of market segmentation. The methods and importance of market research are covered. The central role of the marketing mix, i.e. the four Ps, is made clear. Marketing strategies to influence consumer decisions at home and in new foreign markets are the final topics in this section.

4. Operations management

The focus is the functional area of production and includes the meaning and methods of production and how productivity can be increased. The different costs of production and break-even analysis are covered. The section concludes with the importance and methods of achieving quality in the production process and location decisions of businesses.

5. Financial information and decisions

This finance and accounting section covers the need for and sources of business finance, cash-flow forecasting and working capital. Simple income statements are covered as well as statements of financial position and the analysis of accounts including why and how accounts are used.

6. External influences on business activity

This section focuses on different external influences on business activity and how these impact on a business. It includes government influences on economic, environmental and ethical issues and how they impact on the functional areas of businesses. In addition, the international economy including globalisation and its effects on businesses and governments, multinational businesses and exchange rates are important issues. Legal constraints are an external influence to be considered but these influences are covered in the relevant functional areas above, as well as in this last section.

All candidates take two papers.

All candidates take:

The assessment objectives (AOs) are:

• AO1 Knowledge and understanding

demonstrate knowledge and understanding of facts, terms, concepts, conventions, theories and techniques commonly applied to or used as part of business behaviour.

• AO2 Application

apply knowledge and understanding of facts, terms, concepts, conventions, theories and techniques.

• AO3 Analysis

distinguish between evidence and opinion in a business context order, analyse and interpret information in narrative, numerical and graphical forms, using appropriate techniques.

• AO4 Evaluation

1. present reasoned explanations, develop arguments, understand implications and draw inferences

2. make judgements, recommendations and decisions.

The approximate weightings allocated to each of the assessment objectives (AOs) are summarized below.

Assessment objectives as a percentage of the qualification