Exam Board: Edexcel

What does the course consist of?

Business Studies is a modern subject that is fully applied to the world we live in.  The course investigates both the internal workings of a business and the external factors that influence the way businesses behave.

The course is designed for maximum student access and understanding, particularly with the focus on entrepreneurship and small business.  There are several key areas split across the two years.  

In Theme 1, students look at showing enterprise, spotting a business opportunity, putting a business idea into practice, making a start-up effective and understanding the external influences.

Theme 2 looks at the growing an established business and the decision-making processes surrounding marketing, operational, financial, and human resource.

Assessment and Coursework

Assessment takes place by two examinations based on each themes work.  Each paper is worth 50% of the final mark.  Questions will be made up of calculations, multiple–choice, short–answer and extended–writing.  Two of the three sections are based on business contexts given in the paper.  Calculators can be used.

Skills

Business Studies at GCSE is a multi-skilled subject.  For example, with regards to entrepreneurial activity it is often creativity and individual flair that allows people to come up with original ideas.  The finance section involves the use of numbers, although you don’t need to be a great mathematician to succeed at GCSE level.  People management will teach you how to be a better manager and develop your own inter-personal skills.  There will always be an aspect of the course that suits every individual’s strengths, but it will also allow you to develop other skills that can be transferred across the curriculum and beyond.

Careers

The subject of Business Studies will help you to pursue careers such as:

• Stockbrokers:  Buying and selling shares on the Stock Market.
• Marketing Executive:  Designing promotional campaigns for major companies.
• Management Consultant:  Advising other businesses on how to develop.
• Accountants:  Helping organisations plan for the future or auditing their books.
• Entrepreneur:  Running your own business or developing other people’s ideas.   

Other Information

Whatever career you end up in Business Studies will be relevant in some way.  There is a distinct possibility that you will either work for someone or for yourself.   Professional sport, the Arts and Science are three examples that are run through business organisations.  The range of transferable skills will be useful in your professional and personal lives.