GCSE Applied Business (Single and Double Award)

GCSE APPLIED BUSINESS (Single and Double Award)

WHAT IS GCSE APPLIED BUSINESS?
Students who elect to take this vocational qualification will gain an understanding and basic knowledge, and skills that you will be able to use in a range of businesses.
It is a work related qualification that can also lead on to further education or training in business subjects.

The content of the course and the work you will do will all be related to the work of business in some way.

WHY SHOULD I STUDY APPLIED BUSINESS?
The course is designed for those people who wish to improve their GCSE profile and who feel they might like to secure employments in the world of business. . The course is also relevant to those who wish to progress to GCE Advanced Level Courses. The course involves practical activities, small group work as well as independent research.
All of these will be guided and supported by staff and will help you develop your ability and confidence.

USEFUL SKILLS & INTERESTS
The college and the course are looking for committed, enthusiastic students who are prepared to participate in all activities. They should be willing to co-operate and work to timeframes and have a lively and enquiring mind.

COURSE STRUCTURE & CONTENT

The course is available as a Single Award studying 2 units or as a Double award studying 4 units
.
Single Award Units:

Unit 1 Business in Action (Written Examination)

With advances in technology and changes in the business environment, all businesses must constantly review working practices and procedures to stay one step ahead of the competition.
By investigating local businesses, their ownership and stakeholders together with functional areas such as finance, marketing administration and customer communications you will develop understanding on why businesses survive or fail.

Unit 2 Making your Mark in Business (Controlled Assessment)

This unit aims to develop understanding on the needs of customers and especially different market groups.
It will explore how businesses apply the marketing mix and will involve students in practical activities in researching and producing a business proposal as well as designing and producing an item of promotional material
Double award units include the two described above as well as

3. Working in Business (Written Examination)

This is a practical unit that aims to apply and build on knowledge gained in previous areas of study to apply the theory of functional areas within businesses.
It will involve case studies on different types of organisational structures and job roles.
A number of practical tasks relating to finance, administration and customer communications will be undertaken.

4. Business and You (Time controlled Assessment)

The recruitment of staff is integral to a successful business as all businesses require competent, motivated enthusiastic employees.
This unit involves investigating the recruitment and selection and application. You will research the process from applying for a job, the interview process through to the induction and training programmes. Key issues in respect of employment legislation will also be investigated.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?
Units one and three are assessed by a one and a half hour external exam to be taken in June. Units two and four by a controlled timed assignment that are assessed internally then sent for external moderation in May.

COURSE COMMITMENT
The course lasts for one academic year with either 4.5 hours taught lessons per week for a single award or nine hours taught sessions for a double award.
Students will be required to complete tasks outside of class in workshops, private study periods and at home in order to complete the required coursework. Students will be asked to sign a departmental commitment form that sets out the expectations of the department detailing a two way agreement between staff and students based on hard work and dedication to the team ethos of the department.

COURSE COSTS

Students visits to local businesses that may incur travel costs of approximately 15.00 per year.

PROGRESSION ROUTES
There are opportunities to enter employment or a modern apprentice training programme in a variety of business related areas.
A large number of students opt to stay at college and progress to the Applied AS/A levels in Business, ICT, Leisure Studies and Travel & Tourism. There are also opportunities to follow enrichment programmes such as the very successful Business Enterprise programme.