Business Studies

Britain’s wealth and influence in the world is founded on its trade and industry and the efficiency of the business community is vital in an ever increasing competitive world. What makes a successful business? How ethical and environmentally friendly is big business? How are British business people meeting the challenges of globalisation and competition? How do you find a really good business idea? Why are there relatively few women in top management? What difference is modern technology making to working patterns? Can Tesco maintain its phenomenal success? You should find answers to these and many other questions.

WHAT WILL I BE STUDYING ON THE COURSE?
The course is essentially concerned with the management of businesses in all its aspects. The central theme is the decision making process common to all areas of business activity. You will soon become aware that business activity is an integrated process and that decisions made in one area always have an impact on other areas. There is a strong element of numerical work in developing your understanding of the quantitative methods which businesses use to research and measure future objectives and actual performance.

HOW WILL THE COURSE BE ASSESSED?
The two AS units will be:

·         Planning and Financing a Business - starting a business; financial planning
(40% of AS, 20% of full A level)
 
·         Managing a Business - decision making in the four main business functions - people, operations management, finance, marketing; how to deal with competition (60% of AS, 30% of A level)
 
The two A2 units will be:
·         Strategies for Success - marketing and financial, human resource and operations strategies (50% of A2, 25% of A level)
 
·         The Business Environment and Managing Change - mission, aims and objectives; external influences; leadership and corporate culture; managing change
(50% of A2, 25% of A level)
 
All units are assessed by an exam on unseen case study or data response material. Unit 4 includes pre-released research tasks as part of the assessment.

WHAT WILL I BE DOING IN LESSONS?
Business activity is diverse and so is what happens in lessons. You will be involved at various times in discussion of current and topical business issues, group decision making and research exercises, role-play and presentations to the class, individual problem solving and the study of business techniques.

This subject will help you develop a variety of skills including: problem solving, decision making, managing your own learning, using numerical techniques with confidence, effective communication, working with others and judgment and evaluation.

WHAT QUALIFICATIONS DO I NEED?
Whilst you do not need any previous knowledge of Business Studies at GCSE, you should have at least a grade C in GCSE Mathematics, as there is significant numerical work, and in English Language.  Experience shows that your chances of success at A2 are greater if you have a grade B in English Language.

WHAT OTHER SUBJECTS COULD I DO WITH BUSINESS STUDIES?
It could be argued that Business Studies is of value whichever subjects you are doing since everyone will encounter the commercial aspects of their job at some point in their career. For those keen to pursue a career in business, Accounting, Languages and Mathematics are popular choices but in recent years students have combined Business Studies with most other subjects on offer at the College.

AND AFTER THE COURSE?
Business Studies has equal status with other A levels as an entrance qualification to Higher Education and is highly desirable for business/management degree courses. There is an enormous variety of courses with a business studies or management content – ranging from
French to forestry, manufacturing to marketing and tourism to textile design. It also provides practical skills and knowledge of value to most employment opportunities.

View the Business Studies page on the AQA Website.