Business Studies

Business Studies offers sixth form girls the opportunity to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to the world of work. It supports each pupil�s personal development, encouraging independence, initiative and perseverance as well as ensuring the best possible examination results at both AS and A2 level. We provide a stimulating environment with opportunities to work both individually and as part of a team and also encourage an awareness of Business Studies beyond the classroom through visits and outside speakers. You will acquire a range of transferable skills including decision-making, problem solving and the interpretation and management of qualitative and quantitative data. The course ensures that you are prepared for whatever business role you may fulfil in your career.

A Level

Examination board: AQA

Business Studies will suit you if you are interested in the world of work and current business news. You must be prepared to read the business section of a newspaper, watch relevant TV programmes and keep a cuttings file so that you can use this information when answering questions. By the end of the course, you should be able to analyse problems and situations, collect, collate, organise and present information in a written and numerical form, and evaluate and distinguish between fact and opinion. All these skills will be valuable in whatever career you choose.

During the course speakers may come to school to discuss specific topics. We have the option of coursework at A2, in the Upper Sixth. This is highly individual in nature and staff are only able to offer limited assistance once the title of the coursework has been agreed. You need to have initiative and be well motivated to achieve a good grade in this option.

Business Studies combines well with a foreign language, especially if you want to work in businesses abroad. It has topics in common with Geography and the two subjects complement each other. Mathematics, especially decision mathematics and statistics, is also a good combination.

What will I study?

Module 1: Marketing and accounting and finance

�          Marketing analysis

�          Marketing strategy

�          Marketing planning

�          Classification of costs, profit, contribution and break-even analysis

�          Company accounts

�          Budgeting

�          Cost centres and profit centres.

Module 2:   People and operations management

�          Management structure and organisation

�          Motivation

�          Human resource management

�          Productive efficiency

�          Controlling operations.

Module 3:   External influences and objectives and strategy

�          Economic

�          Government

�          Social and other opportunities and constraints

�          Starting a small firm

�          Business objectives

�          Business strategy.

Module 4:   Marketing and accounting and finance

�          Market analysis

�          Marketing strategy

�          Marketing planning

�          Company accounts

�          Ratio analysis

�          Contribution and break-even analysis

�          Investment decision-making.

Module 5:   People and operations management

�          Communication

�          Employer/employee relations

�          Human resource management

�          Productive efficiency

�          Controlling operations

�          Facilities

Module 6: External influences and objectives and strategy

�          Economic

�          Governmental

�          Social and other opportunities and constraints

�          Impact on firms of a change in size

�          Business objectives

�          Business strategy.

Examinations

AS, taken at the end of Lower Sixth:

Unit 1: one hour, 30% of the total AS marks, 15% of the total A Level marks

Two compulsory stimulus response questions

AS module 1: Marketing and accounting and finance

Unit 2: one hour, 30% of the total AS marks,15% of the total A Level marks

Compulsory questions based on a pre-released case study

AS module 2: People and operations management

Unit 3: one hour, 40% of the total AS marks, 20% of the total A Level marks

Case study which is common to Unit 2

AS Module 3: External influences and objectives and strategy.

A2 taken at the end of Upper Sixth:

You will do the coursework Unit 5C which will be entered for the January examination in the Upper Sixth. You have the option of doing Unit 5W at the end of the Upper Sixth if coursework does not meet the required standard.

Unit 4: one hour, 15% of the total A Level marks

Business decision-making case study

A2 modules 4 and 5: Marketing and accounting and finance, people and operations management

Either Unit 5W: one hour, 15% of the total A Level marks

Business report and essay

Any A2 module(s)

Or Unit 5C: Coursework of 3,000 words, 15% of the total A Level marks

December submission

And Unit 6: one hour, 20% of the total A Level marks

Case study

A2 module 6: External influences and objectives and strategy.

What skills will I develop?

Business Studies provides a rich source of the key skills required as part of all Sixth Form courses, ie communication, application of number, information technology, problem solving, working with others and improving learning and performance.

Are there any special requirements for doing this course?

To study this subject to A2 level you should attain at least a grade B or higher in GCSE Mathematics as there are many mathematical calculations and ways of showing information statistically. If you are doing GCSE Geography, a grade B at GCSE would be evidence of skills that are transferable to Business Studies.

It is strongly recommended that you join the Young Enterprise Scheme so you can experience first hand the problems of running a business, and can use this experience in answering examination questions.

You do not need A level Business Studies to read it at university but it is strongly recommended.