Applied Business

Applied Business


Why should I study GCSE Business?
Business is an interesting and challenging course that aims to explore how different and real businesses are organised in order to achieve their goals. To be successful you must be prepared to accomplish much in a short time and you should be self-motivated and prepared to work hard. It is essential to research into business organisations in order to meet the demands of the coursework criteria. The focus of the course is vocational and should provide an insight into the workings of business â€" essential in today's society as most people deal with business in some capacity.

What will I study?
Unit 1: Investigating Business
You will study 2 contrasting businesses, their ownership and how they organise themselves in order to meet their aims and objectives. You will find out about the different departments in a business and how they communicate with each other and with people outside the business. The main external influences on business organisations will also be studied.

Unit 2: People and Business
You will research into 1 major organisation and find out about the role and importance of the people and other organisations that have an interest in it â€" for example, the service provided to its customers and how they are protected. Selection and training of employees will also be studied.

Unit 3: Business Finance
This is the externally marked test. To achieve success in this you will tackle practical activities that relate to the financial documents of a business. Costs, how to calculate and record profit, cash-flow forecasts, break-even and balance sheets will be studied. Sources of finance for the business and how sales are recorded together with purchases, receipts and payments will be investigated.

What skills do I need?

• To be able to apply effective research skills
• Organise your own work and resources.
  
  
  

How will I be taught?
Two teachers using a variety of methods will teach the subject. These include ICT-based methods such as Internet, Intranet, â€OEBlackBoard†(a virtual Learning Environment), as well as videos, case studies, research and worksheets.

How is the course assessed?
There are 3 units. Two of the units will be assessed internally through portfolio work/case study. The third unit will be assessed by an externally marked test.

What will this course prepare me for?
The course is for students who may only want to study for a year and move on to employment in such varied fields as retail, clerical, administrative or data-inputting. It is also for those who wish to progress on to advanced courses but who did not, initially, achieve the necessary number of grades at GCSE.

Private Study
As an approximate guideline AS subjects require 3-4 hrs of independent study each; A2 subjects 4-5 hrs each and GCSE subjects 2 hrs each.

What materials will I need to purchase?
Not applicable