Business Studies
 SUBJECT Business Studies
 ADMISSIONS There is no prerequisite for admission onto the course other than gaining admission to the Sixth Form in general. However, students will preferably have gained B grades in English and Mathematics at GCSE.
 COURSE This is a thought provoking and stimulating subject. Its aim is to instil an awareness of how business operates, how the environment of the firm is a major determinant of how a firm operates and, in particular, what constraints firms face. Success in Business Studies depends upon mastering 4 key skills. They are Knowledge, Application, Analysis and Evaluation. The relative importance of each varies throughout the two-year course. In Year 12, Knowledge and Application accounts for 60% of total marks with Analysis ands Appplication accounting for the remaining 40%. In Year 13, Knowledge and Application accounts for 40% of total mark, with Analysis and Evaluation accounting for 60% of total mark.
 AS UNITS

Unit 1 - PLANNING AND FINANCING A BUSINESS
             (40% OF as.... 20% of total A level mark). Exam is 1hour 15 minutes and is marked out of 60. Short 
              answers and extended responses based on a mini case study.

Unit 2 - MANAGING A BUSINESS
             (60% of AS ..... 30% of total A level mark). Exam is 1 hour 30 minutes and is marked out of 80.        
              Compulsory multi part data response questions.

THE AS FOCUSES MAINLY ON SMALL TO MEDIUM SIZED BUSINESSES OPERATING WITHIN A NATIONAL, AS OPPOSED TO INTERNATIONAL, MARKETS

Unit 1 - Issues involved in a business start-up and the factors that help determine success.

Unit 2 - How an established business might improve its effectiveness by making tactical decisions at a functional level.

AS INVOLVES STUDENTS BEING ABLE TO: Carry out calculations, Interpret and analyse data, Apply knowledge to unfamiliar situations, Develop and use rational arguments, make judgements and decisions.

Unit 1 - Planning and financing a business (involves understanding the key financial concepts) Two sections involved:

(A) Starting a business - this will consider issues like: Why start up?, What does it take to be an entrepreneur?,
      Business plans, Market research, Where to locate, What legal structure?, Raising finance, Employing people.

(B) Financial planning - this will consider financial issues like: How to calculate/use costs, How to use 'break
      even' analysis, Budgeting, Using cash flow forecasting.

At the end, an assessment of the success/failure of a Business start up

Unit 2 - Managing a business. Four sections involved:

(A) Finance - Builds on financial planning in Unit 1: Using budgets, Improving cash flow, Measuring/increasing profit.

(B) People in Business - Improving organisational structures, Developing an effective workforce, Retaining an
      effective workforce.

(C) Operations Management - Making operational decisions, Developing effective operations (quality), Developing
       effective operations (customer service), working with suppliers, Using technology in operations management.

(D) Marketing... Competitive environment - What is effective marketing?, Using the marketing mix (product, price,   
      promotion, place), Marketing and competitiveness.