Business Studies
What is it about?
Business Studies is relevant to all areas of working life, whether setting up your own business, or working in someone else’s business, the skills and concepts you learn in Business Studies will be useful. Business Studies is about how companies operate, how they affect the environment around them and how they make a profit.
What sort of work is done?
In Business Studies we feel it is important to combine business theory with what is happening in the real world. Therefore lessons will involve learning business methods and concepts, but importantly students will also do a certain amount of independent and group work. This may include research of real world examples or the application of business methods and concepts to business situations and scenarios.
- Business in the real world - The purpose of business activity, the role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the dynamic nature of business.
- Influences on business - The importance of external influences on business and how businesses change in response to these influences.
- Business operations – The methods of producing goods and the provision of services; how companies organise stock and ensure quality.
- Human Resources – How companies recruit train and motivate staff and how this influences business activity.
- Marketing – The purpose and methods used to research markets; how markets are segmented and how companies develop the 4 Ps of the marketing mix.
- Finance – How companies finance business activities and how they use financial documents, concepts and calculations to make decisions.
Extended Learning is set in line with school policy – on a regular basis to consolidate and develop learning.
How is it examined?
The course is split into 2 examinations:
Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity
- Written Exam – 1 hour 45 minutes
- 50% of GCSE
- 90 marks
Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity
- Written exam – 1 hour 45 minutes
- 50% of GCSE
- 90 marks
What Qualifications will I get? What could it lead to?
- AQA Level 1/Level2 GCSE (9-1) in Business
From GCSE Business Studies you might go on to study A-level Business Studies or an A-level vocational Business Studies course which would then allow you entry to college or university.
Career directions could include: Sales, Retail, Marketing, Accountancy, Personnel Management, Business Management, Administration or work in an office environment. Business Studies will also provide you with the basic skills for setting up your own business.
