Business Studies
KS4 (Years 10 & 11)
GCSE Business Studies (A-Level Available)
Award: GCSE in Business Studies 8132
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification Code: 603/0304/9
Specification Website: AQA Business Studies
Have you ever wondered what setting up a business would involve? Ever had an idea of a product or service that you might want to bring to market and be an Entrepreneur, that is your own boss? If you are interested in the internal functionings of a business and the external influences that impact the business world then this course is for you.
We explore an interesting array of concepts, from how to boost staff motivation to marketing tactics and financial calculations. An inquisitive mind willing to learn about the real business world is needed but if you are up for the challenge then choose Business Studies. There is also the opportunity for continuation at A level too.
Year 10
Unit 1 – Business in the real world
The purpose & nature of businesses, business ownership, setting aims and objectives, Stakeholders, Location, business planning and expanding a business.
Unit 2 – Influences on businesses
Technology, Ethical & environmental considerations, the economic climate, Globalisation, legislation and the competitive environment.
Unit 3 – Business Operations
Production processes, the role of procurement, concept of quality and good customer service.
Year 11
Unit 4 – Human Resources
Organisational structures, recruitment & selection of employees, motivating and training employees.
Unit 5 – Marketing
Identifying & understanding customers, Segmentation, the purpose and methods of market research and the elements of the marketing mix (4P’s).
Unit 6 – Finance
Sources of finance, Cash flow, financial terms & calculations and analysing the financial performance of a business.
Assessments
There are two exam papers at the end of year 11, each worth 50%.
Both exams cover Business in the real world and Influences on business and then focus on two other units of the course as outlined below:
Paper 1: Influences on Operations and HRM on business activity.
1 hour 45 minutes worth 90 marks and is 50% of the GCSE.
Section A has multiple choice questions (10 marks)
Section B has one case study and stimulus response questions (40 marks)
Section C has one case study and stimulus response questions (40 marks)
Paper 2: Influences on Marketing and Finance on business activity
1 hour 45 minutes worth 90 marks and is 50% of the GCSE
Section A has multiple choice questions (10 marks)
Section B has one case study and stimulus response questions (40 marks)
Section C has one case study and stimulus response question (40 marks)
The course will be demanding on the students’ mathematical and written language skills. They will be expected to write arguments in essay form, as well as carry out calculations with data and analysis.
ASDAN Employability (Alternative - Short Course)
Note: Students can combine this Short Course (6 credits) with a CoPE Handbook (6 credits) to achieve a Level 2 equivalent qualification (12 credits).
Award: ASDAN Entry Level 3 or Level 1 / 2 Award or Certificate in Employability
Awarding Body: ASDAN
Specification Code: 600/8015/2 & 600/8016/4
Specification Website: ASDAN Employability
The Employability qualifications provide a framework for developing and recognising general employability skills at Entry 2 to Level 2. They are suitable for use with pre-16 and post-16 learners.
The qualification encourages learners to develop skills ready for employment. The qualification covers skills ranging from interview techniques to learning how to be financially capable. The skills that learners develop will help them in everyday life as well as help to prepare them for work.
Employability is a nationally recognised qualification, fully approved by Ofqual in England and by the relevant regulatory bodies for use in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.
Subject Content
Over the course of the two years, students will be undertaking a variety of units that will help develop skills that may be of use in a workplace, such as Customer service, Research and Office skills, Communication and Organisational skills to name a few. Students will develop more confidence in their abilities in different contexts, due to activities like interviews, job shadowing etc.
Assessment
All qualifications require centres and learners to complete a specific number of core and additional units to reach the number of credits for a particular size of qualification. Candidates may be awarded a certificate or an award depending on the units that they pass. The certificate requires 150 hours and 15 credits to obtain and the award requires 60 hours and 6 credits to obtain.
Students are required to present a portfolio of evidence of their learning/activities to be Centre assessed and after ASDAN moderated.
KS5 (Years 12 & 13)
Award: A-Level
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification Code: A-Level 7132
Specification Website: AQA A-Level Business
Institution: Bayside/Westside
Having done Business at GCSE you may want to continue on with your journey and this course will allow you to do just that. We do reflect on the foundations you learnt but other advanced theories and concepts are also taught.
The first half of the course looks at the internal functioning of a firm and explains what they can do to improve on their performance. The second half of the course opens your mind to business strategies and growth, as well as human psychology when it comes to corporate cultures, motivation and resistance to change. This course thoroughly prepares you for a university degree in Business, Management, Marketing, Finance, Operations, Human Resources and many other Business related alternatives.
Should you wish to start employment after A levels, this course helps develop your key skills in research, analysis and evaluation, as well as, preparing you for what to expect in the business world once employed or self-employed.
Year 12
Unit 1 - What is business?
Understanding the nature and purpose of business, different business forms and their issues & external factors affecting business.
Unit 2 - Managers, leadership and decision making
What managers to, decision-making techniques, decision trees, opportunity cost and understanding the role and importance of stakeholders.
Unit 3 - Decision making to improve marketing performance
Setting marketing objectives, understanding markets, market research, interpreting & analysing market data, Price and Income Elasticity of demand, segmentation, targeting and positioning tactics and details of an integrated Marketing mix.
Unit 4 - Decision making to improve operational performance
Setting operational objectives, efficiency and labour productivity, lean production, capacity utilisation, improving quality, managing supply chains and inventory and impact of technology on operations.
Unit 5 - Decision making to improve financial performance
Financial objectives, calculating revenue, costs and profit, break-even analysis, cash flow management and forecasting, budgeting and sources of finance.
Unit 6 - Decision making to improve human resource performance
HR objectives, motivation and engagement theory and practice, improving organisational design, managing resource flow, improving employer – employee relations and analysing human resource performance.
Assessment (Year 12 Internal Mock Exam)
The mock paper covers the units 1 to 6 of the course.
written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes
80 marks in total
There are three compulsory sections:
Section A has 10 multiple choice questions (MCQs) worth 10 marks.
Section B has short answer questions worth approximately 20 marks.
Section C has two data response stimuli with questions worth approximately 25 marks.
There is no coursework.
Year 13
Unit 7 – Analysing the strategic positioning of a business
Corporate objectives, strategies and tactics, SWOT analysis, financial constraints, balance sheet and income statements, financial ratio analysis, performance indicators, PEST analysis, Investment appraisal and sensitivity analysis.
Unit 8 – Choosing strategic direction
Ansoff’s Matrix, competitive advantage and strategic positioning.
Unit 9 – Strategic methods: how to pursue strategies
Growth & retrenchment, Economies and diseconomies of scale, types of growth, innovation, protecting ideas, international trade and digital technology.
Unit 10 – Managing strategic change
Causes and value of change, flexible organisation, barriers to change, how to implement and manage change, network analysis and problems with strategy.
Assessment (Year 13 External Exam)
At A level there are three exam papers each worth 33.3%. These exams cover the units of the course as outlined below:
Paper 1: Business 1 (Unit 1 - 10)
written exam: 2 hours
100 marks in total
33.3% of A-level
Three compulsory sections:
Section A has 15 multiple choice questions (MCQs) worth 15 marks.
Section B has short answer questions worth 35 marks.
Sections C and D have two essay questions (choice of one from two and one from two) worth 25 marks each.
Paper 2: Business 2 (Unit 1 - 10)
written exam: 2 hours
100 marks in total
33.3% of A-level
Three compulsory data response questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three or four part questions.
Paper 3: Business 3 (Unit 1 - 10)
written exam: 2 hours
100 marks in total
33.3% of A-level
One compulsory case study followed by approximately six questions.