Business is a hard but rewarding subject – it helps you learn about the wider world.

 

If you look around your home you can hardly fail to notice the influence which business has had on your life.  The goods you possess, such as food or clothes, will have been produced by a business. If you watch TV, read a newspaper or listen to the radio you will find it difficult to escape advertisements about goods and services which business provide.  Many of you, once you have finished your education, will earn your living from working in a business. So it makes sense to study a topic which plays such a major part in our lives.

 

Business Studies will provide you with the knowledge and skills relating to the world of work. The course is designed to encourage you to consider the practical application of business and economic concepts.

 

GCSE (1BS0/01 & 1BS0/02)  This is assessed through two external examinations – both at the end of year 11.

 

Unit 1

Investigating Small Business (1 hour and 30 minute exam – 50% of Grade)

• Enterprise and entrepreneurship

• Spotting a business opportunity

• Putting a business idea into practice

• Making the business effective

• Understanding external influences on business

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Unit 2

Building a Business (1 hour and 30 minute exam – 50% of Grade)

• Growing the business

• Making marketing decisions

• Making operational decisions

• Making financial decisions

• Making human resource decision

 

High level of literacy and numeracy is required to be successful in this subject due to the nature of assessment. In both these exams students will be required to carry out financial calculations and write essay answers.

 

What can you do with a Business Studies qualification?

 

Many of the students who enjoyed studying GCSE Business Studies have gone on to study an A Level and BTEC Business courses, with Business Studies being one of the most popular courses studied by students at colleges and universities.

 

If post-16 is not for you, employers/apprenticeships will value the GCSE Business Studies qualification as it will give you a broad overview of how the commercial world operates, as well as developing essential transferable skills; critical thinking and analytical skills, problem solving skills, effective and persuasive written and oral communication skills and the ability to research, interpret and use business data.

 

A Business Studies GCSE examination course provides a useful background and qualification for a huge range of careers in many fields, such as the following and more:

• Marketing

• Advertising

• Accounting

• Training

• Journalism

• Law

• Banking

• Insurance

• Human Resources & Recruitment