Business Studies

You do not need to have studied GCSE Economics or Business Studies to take this course. It is more important that you have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in business and economic affairs and a desire to explore new ideas and communicate them effectively. COURSE STRUCTURE The AS course is made up of two units: Theme 1: Marketing and People looks the nature of markets, explores the marketing and human relations functions within a business and investigates the role of entrepreneurs and leaders in the context of business start-ups. Students will examine how businesses need to adapt approaches within a dynamic business environment. Theme 2: Managing business activities enables students to develop and understanding of the issues surrounding raising and managing business finance, using resources efficiently and effectively and the economic and legal factors that may constrain their operations. They will investigate different types and sizes of organisation from a range of sectors in local, national and global contexts. The A level course continues withtwo further units: Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy develops the material studied in Theme 2 to examine issues surrounding business growth, decision making techniques, the influences on business decisions, how we assess competitiveness and strategies that can be used to manage change. Theme 4: Global business develops the work undertaken in Theme 1 to include issues surrounding globalisation, how global markets may influence business expansion, how marketing strategies need to be varied in global markets and the significance of multinational companies including the ethical dimensions of global business activities.

A grade 6 or above in Business Studies GCSE. Where GCSE Business Studies has not been studied you must have obtained a grade 6 or above in a GCSE Humanities subject and a grade 5 in GCSE Mathematics AND English Language.