Business Studies

Examining Board AQA

The AS Modules are:

  • Module 1: Marketing and Accounting and Finance
  • Module 2: People and Operations Management
  • Module 3: External influences and Objectives and Strategy

The A2 Modules are:

  • Module 4: Marketing and Accounting and Finance
  • Module 5: People and Operations Management
  • Module 6: External influences and Objectives and Strategy

Business Studies concerns the business aspects of organisations within their economy, political and social contexts. Business Studies involves the investigation of how enterprise adds value by organising the production of goods and services. 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.

AIMS 

  • Develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value.
  • Be aware that business behaviour can be studied from the prospective of a range of stakeholders.
  • Acquire a range of skills, including decision-making and problem solving.
  • Be aware of the current structure of business and business practice.

Business Studies is taught in 6 Modules: 3 in Year 1 (AS) 3 in Year 2 (A2)

METHODS OF STUDY

Each module of the course is explored through a combination of class discussions and group work activities. The process is backed up by comprehensive notes provided by the tutor. Homework is set weekly and the style of each assignment 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.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

AS EXAMINATION

UNIT ONE AS MODULE1: MARKETING AND ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE

  • Two compulsory stimulus response questions 1 hour
  • 30% of the total AS marks
  • 15% of the total AS Level marks

UNIT TWO AS MODULE 2: PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

  • Two compulsory stimulus response questions 1 hour
  • 30% of the total AS marks
  • 15% of the total A Level marks

UNIT THREE AS MODULE 3: EXTERNAL INFLUENCES AND OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY

  • Case Study 1 hour
  • 40% of the total AS marks
  • 20% of the total A-Level marks

Units 2 and 3 comprise of a number of compulsory questions based on a pre-released case study

A2 EXAMINATION

UNIT FOUR A2 MODULE 4 & 5: MARKETING AND ACCOUNTING & FINANCE, PEOPLE AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT

  • Business Decision-making Case Study 1 ½ hours
  • 15% of the total A Level marks

UNIT FIVE

  • This unit contains two section and questions assess any module of A2 subject content
  • Business report and essay 1 ½ hours
  • 15% of the total A Level marks

UNIT SIX A2 MODULE 6: EXTERNAL INFLUENCES AND OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGY

  • Case Study 1 ½ hours
  • 20% 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 at Rainford College. 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.