A level Business Studies

What do I need to know or to be able to do before taking the course?

This subject is not studied at GCSE at Truro School and therefore GCSE Business Studies is not a requirement for AS or A-level Business Studies. Students should be able to think and express themselves clearly and precisely on paper.

What will I learn on the AS-level course?

The AS course covers the following:

• Objectives and the Business Environment
• Marketing
• Accounting and Finance
• People in Organisations
• Operations Management

1. Objectives and the Business Environment

This module studies:
The difference between needs and wants
Different types of goods and services, sectors of the economy and business organisations
The different management structures and organisations in business
Business planning and location
The roles played by the private and public sectors
The objectives of business
The impact on business of outside factors such as the economy and the law

2. Marketing

The nature and role of marketing
Market Research
The Marketing plan
Forecasting
International marketing

3. Accounting and Finance

Sources of business finance
Budgeting
Balance Sheets and Profit & Loss accounts
Classification and analysis of costs

4. People in Organisations

Human resource planning
Motivation
Employer / employee relations

5. Operations Management

Operational efficiency
Quality
Technology

The AS at present is examined by three papers.
1 hr short answer and stimulus response questions on Objectives of Environment
1 hr stimulus response questions, 1 on Marketing, 1 on Accounting and Finance
1 hr stimulus response questions, 1 on People in Organisations, 1 on Operations Management

What will I learn on the A2-level course?

The A2 course studies the same 5 modules as the AS, but the emphasis is on analysis and evaluation.

The following additional topics are studied within those 5 modules

• Business Strategy
• Investment Appraisal
• Management Structure and Organisation

The A2 will be examined as follows:
1¼ hr two-part structured question. 2 questions on each of the 5 modules in the AS and A2. Choose 2, 1 from each of 2 different modules.
1¼ hr stimulus response question on the whole of the AS and A2 content
or
Coursework 3000 – 4000 word investigative study
1¾ hr case study on all of AS and A2 content.
It is our intention to choose the stimulus response question not the coursework.

Where might the subject take me?

Business Studies is a good A-level to have whatever you choose to do. The vast majority of people will eventually work for some sort of business organisation, or indeed have their own business! Equally everyone will have to deal with businesses, even if only as a customer. Therefore a knowledge of business cannot be wasted.
Business Studies is an acceptable A-level, in the correct combination, for almost any degree course outside of the sciences. It would obviously be a good foundation for degrees in Business Studies, Economics, Accountancy and Management. Today there are a vast number of degrees with some business element from Leisure and Tourism to Estate Management. Many such degrees may have a linguistic element and Business Studies combines well with languages. Some business related courses can be quite mathematical.
Business Studies is appropriate for almost any career, most especially management, banking, accountancy and teaching.