What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?
You do not need to have studied Business Studies at GCSE level Business in order to take an AS or A level course in the subject. Several topics in the course are developments of work covered at GCSE, but others are new. It is more important that you have a strong interest in business issues and want to learn how a business is organised, operates, plans and makes its decisions. If you have studied either Business Studies or Economics at GCSE you will be expected to have achieved at least a C grade.
What will I learn on this A Level course?
Unit 1 BUSS1: Planning and Financing a Business
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Starting a Business: introduction to Business Studies, overview of activities involved in setting up a small business
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Financial Planning: essential financial concepts, basic relationships between finance and other organisational functions
Unit 2 BUSS2: Managing a Business
- Finance: using budgets, improving cash flow and profits
- People: organisational design, recruitment, selection, training, 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 3 BUSS3: Strategies for Success
- Financial strategies and accounts: financial information, measuring performance, making investment decisions
- Marketing strategies: analysing markets and selecting successful marketing strategies, developing marketing plans
- Operations strategies: operational issues, innovation, location, improving operational efficiency
- HR strategies: workforce planning, adapting organisational structures, successful employee relations.
Unit 4 BUSS4: The Business Environment and Managing Change
- Mission, aims and objectives: purpose and nature of corporate strategies, stakeholder perspectives
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External influences: the effects of changes in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of business
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Managing change: planning for change, leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions, managing change, decision making.
What kind of student is this course suitable for?
This course will appeal to you if you wish to pursue a career as a business manager, accountant or in a business-related profession including running your own business. If you enjoy studying a subject that affects your own everyday life have an interest in how a business operates, want to keep your options open – business studies can be combined with a wide range of science, social science and humanities subjects. You should have an active interest in the financial world and be prepared to read financial newspapers and websites, as well as Business periodicals such as Business Review in order to supplement your knowledge and understanding.
What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?
AS Level
This is the first half of the A level course. It is a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. You can take just the AS on its own; if you and your teacher agree that this is best for you. You can even decide at the end of the AS course whether to continue to take the full A level qualification.
The AS comprises Units 1 and 2 and may be awarded as a discrete qualification or counts for 50% of the full A level.
AS A2
Unit 1 BUSS 1 40% 20%
Unit 2 BUSS 2 60% 30%
Total 100% 50%
A Level
The full A level qualification is made up of the AS units plus two more units which are studied at a higher level, known as A2. You don’t necessarily have to take the full A level qualification; you can still get a certificate just for the AS, and your teacher will advise you on what is best.
The A level comprises Units 3 and 4. 50% of your score comes from your AS exams and 50% from your A2 exams.
A2
Unit 1 BUSS 1 20%
Unit 2 BUSS 2 30%
Unit 3 BUSS 3 25%
Unit 4 BUSS 4 25%
Total 100%
How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this course?
As well as covering advanced level study of Business Studies, this course will enable you to develop some skills, which will be essential to you whatever you go on to do afterwards.
The skills you can develop during this course are:
- Communication
- Application of number
- Information technology
- Problem solving
- Working with others
- Improving own learning and performance
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
Students with AS or A level Business Studies have access to a wide range of possible career and higher education opportunities. You will learn and use a variety of transferable skills throughout the course. These include the important business skills of decision making and planning. You can start a career in business armed with an excellent knowledge of how businesses operate. In particular you will have a head start within accountancy, marketing and human resources.
Business Studies combines well with a range of social science, humanities and mathematics subjects to lead to university subjects in such areas as business, economics, law and accountancy.