AS & A2 LEVEL BUSINESS STUDIES

Business Studies offers you more than just an academic challenge.  It is a unique experience that bridges the gap between education and commerce.  Business Studies is popular and successful at Netherhall.  We use a wide range of materials including core text books, interactive software, intranet based presentations and real life case study scenarios.

The course will allow you to:

• Gain an insight into how real businesses operate from small family run establishments to large multinational companies.

• Make decisions and consider problems faced by managers and directors of such companies.

• Study in detail the major functions of a business and perhaps discover areas you would like to pursue at degree level and subsequent employment.

GCE Business Studies

AS outline

At AS Level, this specification introduces candidates to the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. It then explores the key internal functions of business and how the management of these functions can assist in improving the effectiveness and performance of a business.

The AS specification has 2 units:

Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business

Topic list

• Starting a Business – The challenges and issues of starting a business; enterprise; entrepreneurs.
• Financial Planning – Key financial concepts needed to start a business including: sources of start up finance, planning cashflow, contribution and break even.

Assessment

Written Paper:	1 hour (60 marks)
Weighting:	40% of total AS marks/ 20% of total A Level marks

Multiple choice questions plus one compulsory multi-part data response question plus short answer questions.

Unit 2: Managing a Business

Topic list

• People – Communication; motivation; recruitment; HR planning.
• Operations Management - adding value; quality; customer service;
• Finance – improving cash flow, measuring profit, improving profitability.
• Marketing and Competition- planning; 4 ‘P’s; analysing the competitive environment.

A2 outline: At A2, this specification considers strategies for larger businesses and how these strategies may change according to circumstances. Finally, it considers the effects that external factors can have on businesses and how a business can plan for and manage change, including leadership style and change in business culture.

The A2 specification has 2 units:

Unit 3: Strategies for Success

Topic list

• Financial Strategies and Accounts - financial information, measuring performance, financial decisions
• Marketing Strategies - analysing markets, devising marketing strategies.
• Operations Strategies - location, R & D, improving operational efficiency
• Human Resource Strategies - workforce planning, measuring performance, adapting organisational structures, employee relations.

Assessment

Written Paper:	1 hour 30 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting:	25% of total A Level marks

5 questions focusing on measuring business performance and assessing appropriate functional strategies to achieve success.

Unseen case study with a range of numerical data.

Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change

Topic list

• External Influences - the effects of changes in the economic, political, legal, social and ethical; corporate culture; risk strategy; change management and responses of organisations.
• Leadership, Corporate Culture, Ethics – leadership styles, role of leaders in responding to change, corporate culture.
• Managing Change – planning for change, corporate strategies, managing change, decision making.

Assessment

Written Paper:	1 hour 30 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting:	25% of total A Level marks

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.

For more in-depth information about the Business Studies course click here.