Business Studies
Course details:
The course is extensive covering most areas of business. Like the other subjects it is taught in modules.
At AS level there are 2 modules with a further 2 at A2 level. The AS course will contain the following topics:
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.
•People 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.
The A2 modules taken in the Upper Sixth build on the knowledge and skills obtained at AS.
There will be an extension of skills in relation to business decision making and case studies and a synoptic assessment at the end of the course covering aspects studied throughout the two years.
You should be confident in basic mathematics and be able to do simple calculations such as percentages, although these skills will be improved during the course.
Skills gained
1. Data interpretation and handling
2. Presentation skills
3. Powers of description, understanding and analysis of problems involved with business.
