Business & Economics

WHY GCSE BUSINESS?

GCSE Business prepares students for the world of work. As well as developing their understanding of how businesses operate and the impact they have on society, students will be able to develop necessary employment skills such as critical thinking, problem solving and team work. A GCSE in Business can be a stepping stone to further education and career paths in business-related fields, such as management, entrepreneurship, finance, and marketing.

 

WHY GCSE ECONOMICS?

The study of Economics is a study of how the world works. It helps you understand more about how we can make the best possible use of the earth's scarce resources, the impact of government policies and the effects of globalisation. Knowledge of economics helps students to understand and engage with current events, such as inflation, unemployment, and global trade issues, creating more informed and engaged citizens.

GCSE BUSNESS STUDIES (EDEXCEL)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no previous learning requirements for this course and this course will be taught in years 10 and 11.

COURSE AIMS

GCSE qualification in Business Studies enables students to:

• use business terminology to identify and explain business activity.

• apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

• develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business.

• investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues.

• make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills.

COURSE CONTENT

Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts. Students develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour. Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to business decision making including:

• the interdependent nature of business activity, influences on business, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and how these interdependencies underpin business decision making

• how different business contexts affect business decisions

• the use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in making business decisions.

ASSESSMENT

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit both of their exams at the end of the course in year 11.

In year 10 pupils cover theme 1 and in year 11 cover theme 2

PAPER	CONTENT	THE EXAMINATION
Paper 1 (theme 1) Investigating a small business	Enterprise and entrepreneurship Spotting a business opportunity Putting a business idea into practice Making the business effective Understanding external influences on business	Written paper 50% One hour 45 minutes
Paper 2 (theme 2) Building a business	Growing the business Making marketing decisions Making operational decisions Making financial decisions Making human resource decisions	Written Paper 50% One hour 45 minutes

USEFUL LINK

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.html

 

GCSE Economics (OCR)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no previous learning requirements for this course and this course will be taught in years 10 and 11.

COURSE AIMS

GCSE qualifications in Economics enables students to:

• Look at economic activity through the lens of consumers, producers, government and the workings of the global economy. As students go through the course they’re presented with opportunities to focus on real-world issues. Students should consider and reflect upon moral, ethical and sustainable issues that arise as a result of the impact of economic activity.

• Use their economic knowledge and skills to investigate national and global economic situations and issues from the last 15 years. Students should also be aware of the policies that governments have used to attempt to manage these situations and issues.

• Develop quantitative skills relevant to the subject content. They should be able to make relevant calculations from economic data and be able to interpret data presented in the form of graphs and charts. Students should be able to recognise the possible limitations of both quantitative and qualitative data.

COURSE CONTENT

Component 1: Introduction to economics

Students are introduced to fundamental economic terms and concepts and apply them to explain how markets work in contemporary and historical economic contexts. They study the roles of the main economic agents, how they interact, and the importance of financial markets.

There are two topics:

• Introduction to economics
• The role of markets and money

Component 2: National and international economics

Students develop their understanding of how governments aim to achieve economic objectives and the effects of economic policies on markets, as well as the importance and impact of international trade.

There are two topics:

• Economic objectives and the role of government
• International trade and the global economy

In both components students are encouraged to evaluate the moral, ethical and sustainability issues that arise from economic activity.

 

ASSESSMENT

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course in year 11.

PAPER	CONTENT	THE EXAMINATION
Paper 1 Introduction to Economics and the role of markets and money	Economic foundations How prices are determined Production, costs, revenue and profit Different market structures The role of money and financial markets	Written paper 50% One hour 30 minutes
Paper 2 Economic objectives of the government and international trade within a global economy	Introduction to the national economy Government objectives  How the government manages the economy  International trade and the global economy	Written Paper 50% One hour 30 minutes

 

USEFUL LINK

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/economics-j205-from-2017/specification-at-a-glance/

GCSE BUSNESS STUDIES (EDEXCEL)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no previous learning requirements for this course and this course will be taught in years 10 and 11.

COURSE AIMS

GCSE qualification in Business Studies enables students to:

• use business terminology to identify and explain business activity.

• apply business concepts to familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

• develop problem solving and decision making skills relevant to business.

• investigate, analyse and evaluate business opportunities and issues.

• make justified decisions using both qualitative and quantitative data including its selection, interpretation, analysis and evaluation, and the application of appropriate quantitative skills.

COURSE CONTENT

Students apply their knowledge and understanding to different business contexts ranging from small enterprises to large multinationals and businesses operating in local, national and global contexts. Students develop an understanding of how these contexts impact on business behaviour. Students will apply their knowledge and understanding to business decision making including:

• the interdependent nature of business activity, influences on business, business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, and how these interdependencies underpin business decision making

• how different business contexts affect business decisions

• the use and limitation of quantitative and qualitative data in making business decisions.

ASSESSMENT

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit both of their exams at the end of the course in year 11.

In year 10 pupils cover theme 1 and in year 11 cover theme 2

PAPER	CONTENT	THE EXAMINATION
Paper 1 (theme 1) Investigating a small business	Enterprise and entrepreneurship Spotting a business opportunity Putting a business idea into practice Making the business effective Understanding external influences on business	Written paper 50% One hour 45 minutes
Paper 2 (theme 2) Building a business	Growing the business Making marketing decisions Making operational decisions Making financial decisions Making human resource decisions	Written Paper 50% One hour 45 minutes

 

USEFUL LINK

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/business-2017.html

 

GCSE Economics (OCR)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

There are no previous learning requirements for this course and this course will be taught in years 10 and 11.

COURSE AIMS

GCSE qualifications in Economics enables students to:

• Look at economic activity through the lens of consumers, producers, government and the workings of the global economy. As students go through the course they’re presented with opportunities to focus on real-world issues. Students should consider and reflect upon moral, ethical and sustainable issues that arise as a result of the impact of economic activity.

• Use their economic knowledge and skills to investigate national and global economic situations and issues from the last 15 years. Students should also be aware of the policies that governments have used to attempt to manage these situations and issues.

• Develop quantitative skills relevant to the subject content. They should be able to make relevant calculations from economic data and be able to interpret data presented in the form of graphs and charts. Students should be able to recognise the possible limitations of both quantitative and qualitative data.

COURSE CONTENT

Component 1: Introduction to economics

Students are introduced to fundamental economic terms and concepts and apply them to explain how markets work in contemporary and historical economic contexts. They study the roles of the main economic agents, how they interact, and the importance of financial markets.

There are two topics:

• Introduction to economics
• The role of markets and money

Component 2: National and international economics

Students develop their understanding of how governments aim to achieve economic objectives and the effects of economic policies on markets, as well as the importance and impact of international trade.

There are two topics:

• Economic objectives and the role of government
• International trade and the global economy

In both components students are encouraged to evaluate the moral, ethical and sustainability issues that arise from economic activity.

 

ASSESSMENT

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams at the end of the course in year 11.

PAPER	CONTENT	THE EXAMINATION
Paper 1 Introduction to Economics and the role of markets and money	Economic foundations How prices are determined Production, costs, revenue and profit Different market structures The role of money and financial markets	Written paper 50% One hour 30 minutes
Paper 2 Economic objectives of the government and international trade within a global economy	Introduction to the national economy Government objectives  How the government manages the economy  International trade and the global economy	Written Paper 50% One hour 30 minutes

 

USEFUL LINK

https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/economics-j205-from-2017/specification-at-a-glance/

WHY BUSINESS AT A-LEVEL?

Studying A-Level Business can be particularly advantageous when considering further study or a career in business or related fields.

A-Level Business provides a more in-depth understanding of complex business concepts, including strategic management, corporate finance, and advanced marketing techniques. The A-Level curriculum emphasises critical analysis and evaluation of business strategies, helping students develop sophisticated problem-solving skills and a nuanced understanding of business issues.

WHY ECONOMICS AT A-LEVEL?

Studying Economics at A-Level will improve students’ ability to analyse data, evaluate economic models, and understand the implications of economic decisions. These analytical skills are highly valued in many professions.

For students planning to pursue higher education in economics, business, law, or social sciences, A-level Economics provides a solid foundation and prepares students for more advanced studies as it improves understanding of how economies function, including the impact of economic policies, market structures, and global trade, which can be valuable in understanding and participating in discussions about current economic issues.

WHY CTEC BUSINESS?

The two courses offered by OCR aim to give students the opportunity to develop the core specialist knowledge, skills and understanding required for working in the business sector. The CTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate prepares learners for employment and further study. It is equivalent to one A Level. The CTEC Level 3 Diploma is the equivalent to two A Levels.

Sixth Form Year 12 and 13 Courses of Study  

A Level Business – EDEXCEL

THE COURSE

The A Level Business course will enable you to understand how and why business decisions are made and how businesses respond strategically to the changes they face and current issues that impact on business, such as the digital economy. It covers many areas of managing a business including marketing, production, finance and human resources. It will also introduce you to managing a business in a global context and focus on the global issues that impact on business.

The A Level in Business course is structured into four themes.

• Theme 1 – Marketing and People
• Theme 2 – Managing Business Activities
• Theme 3 – Business Behaviour and Strategy
• Theme 4 – Global Business

 

Students build knowledge and understanding of core business models and concepts in Themes 1 (Marketing and People) and 2 (Managing Business Activities), and then build on this and apply their knowledge to more complex concepts and models in Themes 3 and 4 and analyse, evaluate and propose possible solutions.

Entry Requirements

• Minimum of 6 GCSE grades at 6/5
• To include a 5 in GCSE Mathematics and English Language

 

ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES WITHIN THIS SUBJECT

If you want to begin to ‘think’ like an entrepreneur, you should read a book like ‘Anyone Can Do It’ by Duncan Bannatyne, and ‘Common Sense Rules: What you really need to know about business’ by Deborah Meaden amongst a few. An essential way to prepare for the A level business course is to regularly dip into the business news.  A good place to start is the excellent BBC - Company News, The Guardian - Business News and The Independent - Business News.

 WHY STUDY THIS COURSE?

A-Level Business Studies will ensure you are effectively prepared for employment in any organisation and provide you with an understanding of how businesses operate. You will develop a range of transferable skills that will support your progression in higher education and employment.

ASSESSMENT

A level

We follow the Edexcel Business specification.  In the second year of the course, students will take three external exams that assess content covered in the first and second year.  These exams will determine their A level grade.

Paper 1 will assess Markets, People and Global Business.  Questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 4.

Paper 2 will assess Business Activities, Decisions and Strategy. Questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 3

Paper 3 will assess Investigating Business in a Competitive Environment. Assesses content across all four themes.

There is no coursework, though regular reading and viewing of quality news sources is highly beneficial and is strongly encouraged.

 YOU SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE IF:

You are interested in business and can see yourself one day working within a large organisation or indeed are interested in starting up and running your own business then this may well be the course for you.

 WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN A-LEVEL IN BUSINESS?

An A-level qualification in Business can lead to a variety of degree courses at university such as Accountancy and Finance, Business and Administration. It is also a useful qualification for students who intend to pursue a career in Banking and Finance, Marketing, Law, Journalism, Retailing and Management. It is a very useful starting point for careers in the business world.

 

 

A Level Economics (Edexcel)

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

It is not necessary to have taken GCSE in Economics, however you are required to meet the sixth form ‘A’ level entry — 5 GCSEs grades 9 to 6, a Grade 7 in English and a Grade 7 in Mathematics).

SUBJECT CONTENT

Theme 1: Introduction to markets and market failure

This theme provides an introduction to the nature of economics and examines how the price mechanism allocates resources in markets. It analyses the nature of market failure, its causes and possible policy remedies. At the end of this unit, students should be able to apply supply and demand analysis to real-world situations; to understand why markets might not allocate resources efficiently and the methods of dealing with market failure, together with an evaluation of their effectiveness.

Theme 2: The UK economy- performance and policies

This theme introduces the key measures of economic performance and the main objectives and instruments of economic policy. Students should be able to use a basic AD/AS model to understand why demand and/or supply side policies may be seen as appropriate ways of managing an economy; predict the possible impact of such policies and to recognise the assumptions involved; argue for different approaches and identify criteria for success.

Theme 3: Business behaviour and the labour market

This theme develops the microeconomic concepts introduced in Theme 1 and focuses on business economics. Students will develop an understanding of business growth, business objectives, revenues, costs and profits, market structures, labour market, government intervention.

Theme 4: A global perspective

This theme develops the macroeconomic concepts introduced in Theme 2 and applies these concepts in a global context. Students will develop an understanding of, international economics, poverty and inequality, emerging and developing economies, the financial sector, role of the state in the macroeconomy.

 

Assessment:

A level

We follow the Edexcel Economics A specification.  In the second year of the course, students will take three external exams that assess content covered in the first and second year.  These exams will determine their A level grade.

Paper 1 Markets and business behaviour this will assess microeconomics and questions will be drawn from Themes 1 and 3.

Paper 2 The national and global economy this will assess macroeconomics and questions will be drawn from Themes 2 and 4

Paper 3 Microeconomics and macroeconomics this will assess content across all four themes. Students are required to apply their knowledge and understanding, make connections and transfer higher-order skills across all four themes.

There is no coursework, though regular reading and viewing of quality news sources is highly beneficial and is strongly encouraged.

WHAT CAN I DO WITH AN A-LEVEL IN ECONOMICS?

A lot of professionals in banking and accountancy hold economics degrees. For any career related to finance, an economics degree is a good foundation to build on. Roles in data analysis such as an actuary, or an investment analyst, are typical careers for an economics graduate.

 

 

CTEC Business (OCR)

MINIMUM ENTRY REQUIREMENTS 

The CTEC course is suitable for students with at least 5 GCSEs at grades 7-4

SUMMARY PURPOSE

The CTEC Business course is for learners who are interested in learning about the business sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in business-related subjects. 

The course is designed to be the substantive part of a 16-19 study programme for learners who want a strong core of sector study. This can be taken as a single or double award. The single award is called the extended certificate and the double award is called the diploma.

COURSE AIMS

During the course you will have opportunities to:

• Broaden your understanding and knowledge of business and to develop important personal, academic and business skills.
• Cover the fundamental business disciplines as well as some specialised areas to further enhance your knowledge, for example, Managing Business Information & Market Research in Business.
• Demonstrate Leadership/Management skills, you will be expected to engage in a project experience, whereby you will be given opportunities to manage live projects.

What does this qualification cover?

The number of units pupils take depends upon whether they are doing the extended certificate or diploma.

Everybody will study the following mandatory units:

• The business environment
• Working in business
• Customers and communication

The business environment, will give learners an understanding of the wider external contexts in which businesses operate and of internal business functions and their interdependencies. The unit will allow them to appreciate how legal, financial, ethical and resource constraints can affect business behaviour and the influence that different stakeholders can have and how businesses must respond.

Working in business, will give them an understanding of the type of critical skills needed when working in business, such as organisation, prioritisation and effective communication. The unit will allow them to learn how to use different business documents and about organisational protocols that most businesses would expect employees to follow.

Customers and communication, will allow learners to appreciate how vital customers are to the success of a business. It will give them an understanding of how important it is for businesses to know their customers and what influences customer behaviour. In this unit, they will understand how to communicate with customers.

The optional units cover a wide range of topics to give them the opportunity to take a unit that is relevant to a specific aspect of business; for example marketing, accounting, human resources or business planning. The number of units taken depends if this is taken as a single award or double award.

 

 WHAT CAN I DO WITH A CTEC IN BUSINESS?

A CTEC qualification in Business can lead to a variety of degree courses at university such as Accountancy and Finance, Business and Administration. It is also a useful qualification for students who intend to pursue a career in Banking and Finance, Marketing, Law, Journalism, Retailing and Management. It is a very useful starting point for careers in the business world.