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 in order to take a Standard Level (SL) or Higher Level (HL) course in the subject although some topics that feature in GCSE syllabuses will be developed within the SL courses. It is more important that you have a strong interest in business issues and want to learn how a business is organized, 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 course?

Business and Management is the rigorous and critical study of the ways in which individuals and groups interact in a dynamic business environment. The course is designed to give students an understanding of business principles, practices and skills. Emphasis is also placed on understanding technical innovation and the day to day business functions of marketing, human resource management and finance.

The course comprises five modules for SL and six modules for HL. Both SL and HL will complete a piece of written coursework:

• Business Organisation & Environment
• Human Resources
• Accounts & Finance
• Marketing
• Operations Management
• Business Strategy (HL ONLY)
• Research Project (HL ONLY)
• Written Commentary (SL ONLY)

What kind of student is this course suitable for?

This course will appeal to you if you wish to pursue a career as an accountant, business manager, politician, or in a business-related profession. If you are planning on being your own boss and running a successful business of your own you will learn important lessons that will help to make your venture a success. If you enjoy studying a subject that affects your own everyday life and one that applies to the world of work then business management is an excellent option.

You should have an active interest in the financial world, enjoy watching the business news and be prepared to read financial newspapers. Periodicals such as the Business Review will help to supplement your knowledge and understanding.

How will my work be assessed?

What skills can I develop by taking this course?

Students will learn to be inquirers by seeking out information from a variety of sources including web and print media they will learn how to knowledgeably feed this into their own writings and class discussions. Students will critically analyse how the dynamic business world has developed and how decisions made by individuals, firms and governments have a global impact.

They will look at complex business and political; analyse the impact of potential decisions and make reasoned and often difficult decisions. During the course students will have the opportunity to communicate their views through a variety of media and will be expected to confidently present information to small and large groups, they will learn how to be reflective and critique their own performance to develop a well-balanced approach to their learning. Students will learn how to use data and value judgements to make calculated business risks and caringly look at how different cultural viewpoints could alter those decisions. The subject material helps students to evaluate more than just monetary costs; they are challenged look open-mindedly and see how a principled approach to business can be successful and understand the importance of corporate responsibility for today’s society.

What could I go on to do at the end of this course?

Business and Management draws from such a varied range of sources that it is suitable for most occupations. It is widely accepted by universities for many diverse courses and employers recognize its strong practical respectability. This course will provide students with a wide range of transferable skills and can therefore be used in many other subjects and careers.

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