AS & A2 Level Business Studies

AS & A2 Level Business Studies

About the Course
Subject
A Levels
Subject 2
Business
Study Mode
Full-time

Introduction 2 years full-time
This course is for students who have a strong interest in Business Studies. The course is designed to encourage candidates to explore real business situations, be practical in the application of business concepts and understand the role of the entrepreneur and business in society.
Business Studies combines well with subjects such as Economics, Law and Accounting. Candidates will be required to learn quantitative techniques and demonstrate a good level of numeracy skills. The study of this subject compliments the development of Key Skills and students will be supported by Information Technology and other lectures as an integral part of the A Level programme.

Course Units AS LEVEL - YEAR 1 Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business

· Starting a Business - the challenges and issues of starting a business, enterprise or entrepreneurs
· Financial Planning - essential financial concepts needed to start a business including: calculating costs, revenues, and profits using a break-even analysis and cash flow forecasting

Written Paper: 1 hour 15 minutes (60 marks) Weighting: 40% of total AS marks / 20% of total A Level marks Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study. Unit 2: Managing a Business

· Finance - budgets, improving cash flow and profits
· People in Business - organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation
· Operations Management - operational decisions, quality, customer service, suppliers and technology
· Marketing and Competition - designing and using an effective marketing mix, market conditions and competitiveness

Written Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes (80 marks) Weighting: 60% of total AS marks / 30% of total A Level marks Compulsory, multi-part data response questions. A2 LEVEL - YEAR 2 Unit 3: Strategies for Success

· Functional Objectives and Strategies - examining their appropriateness in the context of corporate objectives
· Financial Strategies and Accounts - making investment information, measuring performance and financial decisions
· Marketing Strategies - analysing markets, selecting successful marketing strategies and developing marketing plans
· Operations Strategies - operational issues, location, innovation and improving operational efficiency
· Human Resource Strategies - workforce planning, adapting organisational structures and successful employee relations

Written Paper: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks) Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks Questions requiring extended answers drawing upon AS materials. The focus will be 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

· Corporate Aims and Objectives - purpose and nature of corporate strategies and stakeholder perspectives
· Assessing Change in the Business Environment - the effects of changes in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations
· Assessing Change in the Business Environment - the effects of changes in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations
· Managing Change - planning for change, leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions and decision making

Written Paper: 1 hour 45 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 choice of essay titles from which the candidate will select one. This will be a synoptic paper and draw on all the specification.