Business

Title of qualification achieved at the end of the course

GCSE Business (AQA)

What will you learn/How will you be taught?

GCSE Business is a dynamic, interesting and challenging course and very relevant to the world in which we live today. The course provides students with realistic learning experiences which will prove vital in their life beyond school. This course provides an academically rigorous introduction to a range of theories, concepts, tools and techniques that explore real business issues and how businesses work. Students will consider the practical application of business concepts, with the units providing opportunities to explore theories in the most relevant way, through the context of events analysing both the past and present business and economic world.

Some of the concepts studied include:

  • Finance – using budgets, improving cash flow and profits
  • Human Resources – recruitment, selection, training and motivation
  • Business Operations – operational decisions, quality, customer service, logistics
  • Marketing – designing and using an effective marketing mix including advertising and promotions, adapting to changes in market conditions and competitiveness
  • Globalisation – How UK businesses operate internationally

How is the course assessed?

The course consists of two written exam papers with 90 marks taking 1 hour 45 minutes. There is NO coursework option on this course.

Paper 1: Influences of Operations and HRM on business activity

This looks at the issues faced by entrepreneurs managing Operations (the various ways a company can make and/or deliver the things it sells) and Human Resources (how to get the best out of the staff employed).

Paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity

This paper looks at the art and science of Marketing: understanding what to sell, who to sell it to and how to attract people to buy your product. This paper also looks at Finance: the job of an Accountant in planning how to fund a business and how to manage the business cash flow.

Why study this subject?

Business is a subject that opens the doors to a wide range of careers, building on knowledge and understanding of various concepts and encouraging students to be independent in whatever career they pursue, whether it is in a private business, the public sector or as an entrepreneur. The Business Studies department at STS encourages all students to develop as independent learners and we encourage them to use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts from opinions, develop arguments and make informed judgements. This GCSE course introduces students to a wide range of subjects from Law to Accounting to Psychology - topics which can be taken either at A Level or eventually as a degree. GCSE Business makes a positive contribution to developing young people as individuals and participants in society, the economy and the environment.  During the course pupils will also have the opportunity to observe and develop entrepreneurship in practice, while developing their ICT skills in a business context.

What jobs can you get with a GCSE in Business?

Accountant, Marketing Assistant, Marketing Executive, Business Advisor, Consultant, Investment Banker, Trader, Public Relations Officer, and many more.