Business Studies is concentrated almost entirely on your ability to consider/recommend different courses of action in different business situations.
In order to be able to evaluate the advantages or disadvantages of these courses of action, you will need to be equipped with knowledge of tools of analysis, information about consequences, and an appreciation of how business works in the context of national and international economies.
In other words, Business Studies will test how well you are able to apply what you know to a given business problem. Because it involves a broad range of skills, both qualitative and quantitative, Business Studies is a good complement to virtually any other A-Level course.
Course Details
AS year one:
Unit 1 - Planning and Financing a Business :
Unit 2 - Managing a Business:
Unit 1 examination January:
Unit 2 examination June:
both examinations a mixture of short answer and data response questions.
A2 year two:
Unit 3 - Strategies for Success:
Unit 4 - The Business Environment and Managing Change:
Unit 3 examination January:
will contain questions requiring extended answers based on an unseen case study, and drawing on knowledge from all modules of the course.
Unit 4 examination June:
will consist of two sections - Section One contains questions based on a pre-release research task. Section Two consists of a choice of essays, all of a synoptic nature, drawing on knowledge from all four units.
Course Approach The study of each of the four modules is undertaken via a range of methods, including the use of case studies, video material, information technology, business visits, visiting speakers, conferences and business competitions.
See below for snaps from this year's Barcelona and Paris trips!
“Business Studies provides students with a chance to expand their horizons beyond the normal academic subjects. It complements a range of subject specializations and prepares you for many of the challenging aspects of life. It is a very worthwhile and enjoyable course.”
Simon, Year 13 “Business Studies is a challenging yet interesting course. It covers a wide range of topics, with many having direct links to our daily way of life. I have enjoyed it so much that I intend to study Business at University.”
Kerry, Year 13
New for September 2008!
Mr Simon James will be joining the Department in September to teach Applied Business.
The Applied Business course is worth two A-levels. It is a double module where 12 units are completed over the two years.
The majority of the course is portfolio assessed. The students are given opportunities to apply the theory they learn to the business environment. They will research particular organisations both individually and in groups and present their findings in the form of detailed and thorough coursework.
There are four units out of the twelve that are externally assessed. Here the pupils will sit examinations that require a mix of short answers both quantitative and qualitative as well as extended written responses.
Watch this space for updates on this new course next year!
