Business

Business

Head of Department: Mrs Southern

Key Stage 4

The course develops knowledge and understanding of business objectives, decisions and activities, along with affecting influences. It broadens students’ awareness of the roles and behaviours of people both within and outside business. Students apply their knowledge and understanding to a variety of business contexts and are encouraged to explore the social and political outcome of economic events.
The course assumes no prior knowledge of Business Studies. However, students need the ability to express themselves clearly with a good standard of English as they are required to write essay style answers.

Examination

Both exams are 1 hour 45 minutes long and are worth 90 marks each. Both papers have a combination of multiple choice questions (worth 20 marks) and two case studies/data response stimuli with questions (worth 70 marks).

The course teaches students the purpose of business activity, the role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the dynamic nature of business. They will study the importance of external influences on business and how businesses change in response to these influences.

Paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity (50%)

Students will learn the purpose of operations management and Human Resource Management, their roles within business and how the functional areas influence business activity.

Students need to be aware of the impact business in the real world has on business operations and human resources.

Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity (50%)

Students will learn the purpose of marketing and finance, their roles within business and how the functional areas influence business activity. Students need to be aware of the impact business in the real world has on marketing and finance within business.

Students wishing to extend their study of business subjects at the end of the GCSE course have the opportunity to take GCE Advanced Business Studies. 

Business Studies has direct relevance to accounting, banking, insurance, management, marketing and many other related occupations.