Academic Departments – Business Studies

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

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