GCSE BUSINESS STUDIES

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The main purpose of this course is to provide an insight into the world of adult employment. The business world is dynamic and requires its future employees to be familiar with its objectives and the contribution expected from its most valuable asset, its human resource, its workforce .... You!

 

The world owes no-one a living. We are rewarded according to the contribution we can make towards helping a firm achieve its objectives. The better we prepare ourselves the more we are able to contribute and the better we are rewarded.

 

What is an overdraft, a loan, a budget, a contract, income, revenue, a salary, a wage, overtime? The list goes one!

 

If you do not learn these things now, then when?

If you do not learn them at school, then where?

 

Course Structure

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Students will follow the AQA GCSE Specification B (Subject Code 3133)

Paper 1	Paper 2	Paper 3
37.5% 1.25hour	25% 1 hour	37.5% 1 hour
Structured questions based on a case study of a business situation	A case-study problem solving paper requiring a written report	Structured questions set on two or more business case studies

 

Subject Content

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Marketing

• The identification, anticipation and satisfaction of consumer wants.
• Market research techniques, sampling methods.
• Pricing policies.
• Promotion and advertising.
• Distribution channels to markets.
• Product and market orientation.

Production

• Primary, Secondary and Tertiary Production
• Production methods.
• Quality Control.
• HRM – training and motivation.

Finance

• Sources and Uses of Finance

Planning: Cash-flow forecasts, break-even analysis, business plans.

 

Accounting: Analysing the profitability, liquidity and performance of firms using balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and ratio analysis.

 

Aims and Objectives of Business: An analysis of the various objectives, complementary and conflicting, which may be pursued by business.

 

Ownership and Control: of Business in the Public and Private sectors of the economy.

 

The External Environment – how Economics impacts on business. The effects of inflation, unemployment, taxes, exchange rates and interest rates are all considered.

People: Recruitment - how workers are employed. Different ways of motivating workers. Financial and non-financial rewards. Employment and the Law

Homework

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Homework is set regularly for Business Studies which may include written tasks, case study work, research or collecting data. The setting of homework does not necessitate having ICT equipment at home.

Core Subjects

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