Business Studies

Business Studies is now one of the most popular A level subjects and the department has a record of fantastic results. The subject enables students to gain an appreciation of the main aspects of the business world and the way businesses make their decisions. Students will gain an understanding of the relationship between business theory and practice and Business Studies will provide the ideal option for candidates who wish to take either
Science or Humanities based subjects. More specifically, Business Studies provides an ideal background for those considering self-employment or thinking of pursuing a career in Finance or Marketing.
Business Studies at Advanced level is designed to teach some of the basic factual information surrounding businesses and their operations and to enable discussion of them and their place in today's society. The course comprises a number of individual components, which cover subjects such as economic variables, accounts, management, marketing, human resources, operations, business law and business organisation.

Business studies is only offered to boys at A level and is taught by Mr Durkin.

The content of AQA ( www.aqa.org.uk) A Level Business Studies is:

• Unit 1: Starting a Business-Enterprise, Market Research, Business Plan, Location, Raising Finance, Break-Even Analysis, and Cash Flow. These topics are examined and are worth 20 % of A Level Business Studies mark and the examination is sat in January of Lower Sixth.

• Unit 2: Managing a Business- this module goes through the four functional areas of Business: Finance, People, Operations and Marketing & the Competitive Environment. This topic is worth 30 % of A Level Business and the examination is sat in May of Lower Sixth.

• Unit 3: Strategies for Success- looks in more detail at the four functional areas (with a big focus on Finance & Accounts) and how these link into a company’s overall company objectives. This topic is examined in the January of Upper Sixth.

• Unit 4: The Business Environment and Managing Change- There is a research theme (e.g. emerging markets, UK recession), which students will be examined on and the second part of the exam is an extended business answer/ essay relating to Leadership, Change Management or the Economy. The examination for this topic is taken in June of the Upper Sixth.

An AS or A Level in Business Studies is a useful preparation not only for Business Studies degrees but also for studying Economics, Management and other Social Sciences. Some business graduates teach or lecture in schools, colleges or universities, or work for government departments. Others will have specialised in one aspect of Business Studies, such as marketing and then obtain work either in a marketing firm or the marketing department of a larger company. Many business graduates will move into general management. Whatever career is pursued, students will find that Business Studies is a useful subject to have studied as they will develop presentation, financial and team-working skills.