Examining Board AQA
Subject Content
Business Studies concerns the functions of contemporary business organisations. It is a dynamic course that studies the enterprising skills required to succeed in business. The Business Studies course focuses on starting a new business through to managing a successful business. It is the investigation of how enterprise adds value by organising the production of goods and services; how it markets itself in order to compete with the competition in the current economic climate. This course is designed to allow the integration of business themes, such as innovation and change, social and environmental responsibilities, takeovers/mergers and ethical considerations.
Methods of Study
Each Unit of the course is explored through a combination of class discussions and group work activities. This process is backed up by comprehensive notes provided by the tutor. Homework is set weekly and the style of each piece of work reflects the demands of their final examination, i.e. student’s complete essays, data response questions and longer case study exercises. In addition, a test is set at the end of each topic in the style required at AS and A2 level, approximately every half term.
The AS Units are:
- Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business
- Unit 2: Managing a Business
The A2 Units are:
- Unit 3: Strategies for Success
- Unit 4: The Business Environment and Managing Change
Methods of Assessment
AS Examination
UNIT ONE: Planning and Financing a Business
- Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study
- One hour and 15 minutes
- 50% of the total AS marks
- 25% of the total A Level marks
UNIT TWO: Managing a Business
- Compulsory, multi-part data response questions
- One hour and 30 minutes
- 50% of the total AS marks
- 25% of the total A Level marks
A2 Examination
UNIT THREE: Strategies for Success
- Extended answers based on unseen case study
- One hour and 45 minutes
- 25% of the total A Level marks
UNIT FOUR: The Business Environment and Managing Change
- Pre-release research task and choice of essays
- One hour and 45 minutes
- 25% of the total A Level marks
Entry Requirements
There are no special qualifications required for AS/A2 level Business Studies other than the standard GCSE quota needed for study atRainfordCollege. However, although it is not necessary to have taken GCSE Business Studies, if this course was followed, at least a grade C would be required. For those students who haven’t studied GCSE Business Studies there is no need to worry because the course assumes no prior knowledge.