Business

Our Business course introduces students to the dynamic business environment and the importance of entrepreneurial activity in creating business opportunities and sustaining business growth. The focus of the course is to nurture an enthusiasm for studying business using contemporary contexts, allowing you to develop an appreciation of business issues from a local to a global perspective. You will have the opportunity to develop a wide range of essential skills required for higher education and employment.

• Enterprise/Entrepreneurs
• Business plans
• Markets
• Market research
• Business structure
• Business location
• Business finance
• Business revenue and costs
• Marketing
• Finance
• People in organisations (human resources)
• Operations management.

• Data analysis
• Market analysis
• Sales forecasting
• Analysing financial performance
• Analysing non-financial performance
• Aims and objectives
• Strategy and implementation
• Growth Strategies
• Decision-making models
• Investment appraisal
• Special orders
• Change
• Risk management
• PEST factors
• Ethical, legal and environmental factors
• International trade
• Globalisation and MNCs
• The European Union

Assessment

Assessment is fully exam based. There is NO coursework option. The A Level will comprise of written exams, one for each of the three components. Each exam lasts for 2 hours 15 mins and they are all taken at the end of year 13.

Stimulus response questions and case studies are used as the basis of assessment in the exam papers. You will investigate different types and sizes of organisations in various business sectors and environments, drawing on local, national and global contexts.

Overall Entry Requirements:

6 GCSE's at grade 4 or above including an English and Maths.

Course Specific Entry Requirements:

A grade 5 in Maths and an English and if studied Business at GCSE/CNAT at least a Grade 5/L2 Merit.

It is advantageous to have studied the subject at GCSE; however, it is by no means necessary. Historically, many students choose Business who have not studied the subject previously and are very successful.

Post A Level

Business is a subject that can be easily combined with other subjects. Higher Education Institutions will accept A level Business on all courses. Students taking Business at Higher Education will have a wide breadth of Business courses available to them including those linked with Modern Foreign Languages, Design, Engineering and Technology, Mathematics, Finance and Accountancy, Computer and Social Sciences. Many students go on to study on a Business related degree.

What about professions?

Business Studies is a valuable vocational qualification. It gives an insight into the running of business and provides skills in areas which a number of occupations would find useful such as: finance, marketing, human resources and strategic decision making.