AS/A2 Business Studies

A Level

In Cambridge

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Location

    Cambridge

  • Duration

    2 Years

AS/A2 Business Studies analyses businesses and the markets they serve. This course introduces you to the wide range of activities that go on in a business and how decisions are taken in an ever-changing environment. It will also help you to understand the business world from the perspectives of various stakeholders: customers, managers woner / shareholders, employees and society in general.

Important information

Government funding available

Facilities

Location

Start date

Cambridge (Cambridgeshire )
See map
Long Road, CB2 8PX

Start date

On request

About this course

:
Five Grade Cs at GCSE in appropriate subjects including Maths or English. You do not need to have taken GCSE Business.

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Course programme


AS/A2 Business Studies
AS/A2 Business Studies analyses businesses and the markets they serve. This course introduces you to the wide range of activities that go on in a business and how decisions are taken in an ever-changing environment. It will also help you to understand the business world from the perspectives of various stakeholders: customers, managers woner / shareholders, employees and society in general. You will also understand that businesses cannot operate in isolation, but are affected by economic, environmental, ethical, governmental, legal, social and technological issues.

AS Course Content
The AS course comprises two modules:
1. Planning and Financing a Business
This looks at how businesses are established and the key financial concepts essential to the success of any business.
Assessment : 1 hour 15 minutes exam: Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study (40%)
2. Managing a Business
This looks at the key areas of People, Operations Management, more on finance, marketing and your competition.
Assessment: 1 hour 30 minute exam: Compulsory, multi-part data response questions (60%)

A2 Course Content
The A2 course comprises a further two modules:
3. Strategies for success
This looks at the areas of Business Accounts and Financial Strategies, Marketing Strategies, Operational Strategies and Human Resource Strategies. The emphasis here is to see how a business can use the theory learned on the AS course and apply it to achieve success.
Assessment: 1 hour 45min exam: unseen case study (50%)
4. The Business Environment and Managing Change
This looks at how a business establishes its aims; the role of external influences (such as changing legal, economic, social or technological factors); the role of leaders and leadership styles and how business responds to and manages change.
Assessment :1 hour 45min exam: based on pre-released material/ an essay (50%)

Is Business Studies for you?
You will enjoy and benefit from Business Studies if you:
  • are interested in the business world;
  • want to know how different employers motivate their workers;
  • watch the news or read newspapers;
  • would like to know why Sony upgraded their PlayStation;
  • would like to know why Nintendo are aiming their Wii towards a specific group of customers;
  • want to know why mobile phone companies spend millions of pounds upgrading their services;
  • like and are confident working with numbers. Understanding Finance is essential for a business;
  • want to know why Nike continually introduce new styles of trainers like their Harris Tweed design;
  • like expressing and justifying your own views and opinions;
  • want to know how BMW organise production of the Mini;
  • can explain your reasons for reaching a certain conclusion;
  • want to understand drinks companies' reasons for having a range of brands;
  • would like to develop basic skills which may help you start your own business one day;
  • are interested in how interest rates affect individual consumers and businesses.

Please note: there is no coursework in this course. You will be assessed through three module exams for AS and three for A2 to receive a full A-level. If you want to study Business and be assessed via coursework look at the National Diploma Business course description.

Business Studies and your future
Business can be studied in many forms at University level. It is now the most popular type of course taken as a degree. It is highly regarded by firms recruiting students directly from A level on to management training programmes. Many young entrepreneurs have began their careers with a general business education.

Visits & Visitors
Local entrepreneurs and businesses will visit to pass on their expertise and give an insight into real-life business. Recent visits include trips to JCC lt., and international packaging company. This year students will visit Iceni Ltd., a bottled water manufacturer in Duxford. There may be the opportunity to participate in a number of business-related competitions and extra-curricular activities such as Young Enterprise and the Ogden Trust National Schools Business Competition.

AS/A2 Business Studies

Price on request