Curriculum Area: Business and ICT
Business Studies AS/A Level (Awarding Body = AQA)
Who is the course for?
This course is for students who have a keen interest in businesses, how they are set up, grow and become successful. It is a challenging course which is ideal for students who enjoyed exam - based study rather than completing coursework assignments.
Advanced Subsidiary (AS)
The Advanced Subsidiary is studied in the first year and focuses on how an entrepreneur sets up and grows their own business. It covers the following modules:
| Unit One | Planning and financing a business |
| Unit Two | Managing a business |
Advanced Level (A2)
The second year of the course examines larger businesses, what they need to do to be successful and the impact of the external business environment
| Unit Three | Strategies for success |
| Unit Four | The business environment |
Methods of Teaching and Learning
Teachers adopt an active approach to learning with students being encouraged to take part in group work, presentations, class discussion and independent research. The course requires students to be able to carry out a number of different types of calculations and students will be required to complete calculation workbooks outside class.
Enrichment
There will be the opportunity for students to attend an overseas residential trip to find out how business works in practise. Previous visits have included New York, Disneyland Paris, Cadbury World in Birmingham, Fullers Brewery in London and Bath Ales. We also run a one day enterprise programme for all AS Business Studies students which gives them the opportunity to work with UWE Business Student teachers and representatives from local firms.
Course Combinations
It is not advisable to take Business Studies and Economics, as separate subjects, as some universities consider them to be too similar in content to be accepted as two separate subjects.
Method of Assessment
The course is wholly exam-based and there is no coursework.
| Unit One: Planning and Financing a Business | |||
| Written paper. Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study | 1 hour 15 mins | 60 marks | 40% of total AS marks. 20% of total A level marks |
| Unit Two: Managing a Business | |||
| Written paper – compulsory, multi-part data response questions | ¼ hours | 80 marks | 60% of total AS marks. 30% of total A level marks |
| Unit Three: Strategies for Success | |||
| Written paper – questions based on an unseen case study | 1 ¾ hours | 80 marks | 25% of total A level marks |
| Unit Four: The Business Environment and Change | |||
| Written paper – a two part paper – section A will contain questions based upon prior research. Section B will be a selection of three essay titles from which the candidate will select one. This will be a synoptic paper and draw on all the specification. | 1 ¾ hours | 80 marks | 25% of total A level marks |
Resources
Teachers use a variety of resources including handouts, textbooks, journal and newspaper articles and websites.
Progression
The course provides a sound basis for students wishing to go into Higher Education or into a career in the business environment. Past students have gone on to degree studies in business management, banking, insurance, accountancy, marketing and human resource management.
Entry Requirements
Students are required to have five GCSE passes at grade C or above or the equivalent in 4 subject areas, including Mathematics and English.
Qualification
This course leads to AS and A2 qualifications.
Additional Costs
During the course the students are charged for printing. All residential and day trips will require students to pay should they wish to participate.