Business Studies

Business Studies

Exam board: AQA
Course code:
8132

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/business-subjects/gcse/business-8132

For further information, please contact Mr S Beal: [email protected]

 

Over the past few years there has been a significant amount of media coverage regarding successful entrepreneurs, the growth of global businesses and the many challenges that businesses now face in the UK. GCSE Business Studies aims to give students an understanding of how individuals start up a business and the main strategies undertaken by businesses to grow into a successful global organisation. The course explores why some individuals and ideas have been successful, whilst others have failed. Throughout the course the theory behind business decisions is underpinned by studying business and economic case studies and undertaking practical business activities and challenges.

Subject Content

The topics that will be studied at GCSE are:

  • Business planning
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Human resources
  • Business operations
  • Influences impacting business decisions

Course Assessment

The current GCSE Business Studies course is split into two exams assessing six units:

Paper 1: Assessing units on business in the real world, influences on business, business operations and human resources. It is worth 50% of the GCSE.

Paper 2: Assessing units on business in the real world, influences on business, marketing and finance. It is worth 50% of the GCSE.

Higher Education and Careers

Students who choose this course develop an understanding of the main functions of organisations that can be applied in future employment in any type of business environment. This will include an understanding of effective methods to manage a business, motivate and train staff, promote and advertise the business and balance the finances.

Qualifications in Business Studies may lead to a wide variety of careers due to the diverse range of concepts and skills that the course encourages. Career paths include accountancy, advertising, banking, economics, management, industrial relations, human resources, insurance and marketing.