| Key Stage | Qualification | Course Code | Exam Board |
| KS4 | GCSE | GCSE Business AQA 8132 | AQA |
| KS4 | BTEC | Level 1/2 Tech Award Enterprise | Pearson |
| KS5 | A LEVEL | A Level Business EdExcel 9BSO | EdExcel |
| KS5 | BTEC | Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business | Pearson |
Year 8 into 9
Year 9 Business Studies is a combined course which includes elements of GCSE and BTEC. Students then choose one of those two pathways to continue in Years 10 and 11.
If you enjoy: Communicating and explaining your ideas, Thinking creatively and making decisions, Working with numbers to solve business problems, Learning about the world of business through research and investigation, as well as through practical tasks… then the GCSE Business Studies course is the right subject for you.
Years 10 & 11
It doesn’t matter if you haven’t studied business prior to taking this course. You might have an interest in business, and want to start your own business one day. You may have an enquiring mind and be interested in learning about the world around you, how businesses are set up, and what it is that makes someone a great entrepreneur. This course will help you to understand all this and more.
While studying the first two units of this course you are likely to learn a lot of new things. You will be introduced to the world of small businesses and will look at what makes someone a successful business person. You will find out how to develop an idea and spot an opportunity, and turn that into a successful business. You will understand how to make a business effective and manage money. You will also see how the world around us affects small businesses and all the people involved.
How are you assessed?
You will take a written examination paper with multiple choice and objective test questions based on unit. The questions will be a mixture of multiple choice, data response, short-answer, extended-writing and scenario based questions. For example, you may be given a short business case study and then be asked to solve a business problem.
| Paper | Assessment |
| Paper 1 – Examination Influences of operations and Human Resource Management on business activity | Written Exam 90 marks 50% of GCSE |
| Paper 2 – Influences of marketing and finance on business activity | Written Exam 1 hour and 45 minutes 90 marks 50% of GCSE |
If you enjoy researching local businesses, thinking creatively and making decisions, working independently or looking at how businesses communicate their ideas in order to recruit staff and sell their product … then BTEC Business Studies is the right subject for you.
Sixth Form
As the BTEC Tech Award in Business Studies is a practical introduction to life and work as an entrepreneur, your students will: Develop an aptitude in planning and carrying out an enterprise activity. Develop the knowledge that underpins the effective use of skills that can affect the performance of an enterprise. Develop attitudes and ways of working that are important for enterprise. The course has two internally assessed components, and one that’s externally assessed:
| Component | Assessment |
| Component 1: Exploring Enterprises Aim – Examine different enterprises to develop knowledge and understanding of the characteristics of enterprises and the skills needed by entrepreneurs. | 30% Internally assessed assignment. Examine the characteristics of enterprises Explore how market research helps enterprises meet customer needs Understand competitor behaviour Investigate the factors that contribute to the success of an enterprise |
| Component 2: Planning for and running an enterprise Aim – Select an enterprise idea to plan, pitch for and run. | 30% Internally assessed assignment Explore ideas for a micro enterprise activity Plan for a micro enterprise activity Pitch for a micro enterprise activity Operate a micro enterprise activity Review the success of a micro enterprise activity |
| Component 3: Promotion and finance for Enterprise Aim: To explore promotional methods, financial records, planning and forecasting. | 40% Externally assessed task where your learners will be provided with a case study of a small to medium enterprise and complete a series of activities. |
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of elements of promotion and financial records
Interpret and use promotional and financial information in relation to a given enterprise
Make connections between different factors influencing a given enterprise
Advise and provide recommendations to a given enterprise on ways to improve its performance.
These components build on each other to motivate your students by helping them put what they’ve learned into practice and grow in confidence.
