Business Studies

Board: AQA

Introduction

No prior Business Studies experience is necessary to study it at A Level.

You will develop an understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. You will also study business behaviour and be made aware of the economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity.

All units are assessed through examinations. There is no coursework.

The course structure

Unit (code)	Method	Time	Contribution
Unit (code)	Method	Time	AS	Advanced
1 (BUS1)	Written exam	1.25 hours	40%	20%
2 (BUS2)	Written exam	1.5 hours	60%	30%

Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business

Starting a Business - The challenges and issues of starting a business; enterprise; entrepreneurs

Financial Planning - Essential financial concepts needed to start a business including: calculating costs, revenues, profits; using a break-even analysis and cash-flow forecasting

Unit 2: Managing a Business

Finance - budgets, improving cash flow and profits

Pe ople in Business - organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation

Operations Management - operational decisions, quality, customer service, suppliers, technology

Marketing and Competition - designing and using an effective marketing mix, market conditions and competitiveness

Unit (code)	Method	Time	Contribution
Unit (code)	Method	Time	AS	Advanced
3 (BUS3)	Written exam	1.75 hours	--	25%
4 (BUS4)	Written exam	1.75 hours	--	25%

Unit 3: Strategies for Success

Functional Objectives and Strategies - examining their appropriateness in the context of corporate objectives

Financial Strategies and Accounts - making investment information, measuring performance, financial decision

M arketing Strategies - analysing markets, and selecting successful marketing strategies, developing marketing plans

O perations Strategies - operational issues, location, innovation, improving operational efficiency Human Resource Strategies - workforce planning, adapting organisational structures, successful employee relations.

Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change

Corporate Aims and Objectives - purpose and nature of corporate strategies, stakeholder perspectives.

Assessing Change in the Business Environment - the effects of changes in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations.

Managing Change - planning for change,leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions, decision making.

Am I suited?

You will be suited to Business Studies if you:

• Are interested in current national and international business issues, and actively read daily newspapers.

• Want to understand more about the choices facing organisations, and how such decisions are made

• Enjoy analysing case studies

• Wish to pursue a career in management, economics, business, finance etc.

Subject complements

Business Studies fits with a wide variety of subjects: scienes, social sciences and languages.

Where it leads

The course provides a good foundation for further study of Business-related subjects in higher education: Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Business to name a few.

It also provides a good general education, and would be useful in all lines of business.