Business Studies

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. 

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.