The Department is responsible for the teaching of Business Studies at GCSE and A Level. We have also introduced Economics at A Level this year .
Key Stage 4
AQA GCSE Business Studies
This course offers students the opportunity to gain a valuable insight into the dynamic world of business. It also allows students to understand the benefits and challenges facing new entrepreneurs.
The GCSE Business Course is divided into three units:
Unit 1 Setting up a business (Exam taken summer – Year 11)
Unit 2 Growing a business (Exam taken summer – Year 11)
Unit 3 Investigating Businesses (Controlled Assessment taken by October half-term Year 11)
Topics studied in the current syllabus include:-
- Starting a business enterprise
- Marketing
- Business Organisation
- Finance
- Human Resources
- Operations Management
- External constraints and influences on business behaviour
- Ethical and environmental factors
Key Stage 5
AQA AS/A Level Business
AS Content
The AS course includes the following topics – what is business, managers, leadership and decision making to improve marketing performance, operational performance, financial performance and human resource performance.
Unit 1: Business 1
Assessment: 50% of AS Level, 1 hour 30 minutes exam, 80 marks in total
Section A: 10 multiple choice questions worth 10 marks
Section B: Short answer questions worth approximately 20 marks
Section C: Two data response stimuli with questions worth 25 marks
Unit 2: Business 2
Assessment: 50% of AS Level, 1 hour 30 minutes exam, 80 marks in total
One compulsory case study consisting of approximately seven questions
A Level Content
The first year includes the following topics – what is business, managers, leadership and decision making to improve marketing performance, operational performance, financial performance and human resource performance.
During the second year students will study the following topics – analysing the strategic position of a business, choosing strategic direction, strategic methods and how to manage strategic change.
Unit 1: Business 1
Assessment: 33.3% of A Level, 2 hours, 100 marks in total
Section A: 15 multiple choice questions worth 15 marks
Section B: Short answer questions worth 35 marks
Section C and D: 2 essay questions (choice of one from two) worth 25 marks
Unit 2: Business 2
Assessment: 33.3% of A Level, 2 hours, 100 marks in total
Three compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each made up of three or four part questions
Unit 3: Business 3
Assessment: 33.3% of A Level, 2 hours, 100 marks in total
One compulsory case study followed by approximately six questions
