Business Studies

Business Studies is a subject for today; about today and concerning today's world - the world you live in!

This is a subject which is constantly developing. Today's news is tomorrow's Business Studies question:

            *How can Marks and Spencer regain their market position?

            *Why do firms pay huge sums of money to sponsor football clubs?

            *Should we be worried that foreign companies are taking over UK companies?

            *What effects will the Euro have on British business?

Business Studies deals with business, the carrying out of its various functions such as accounts and finance, operations management and personnel, and how it operates within its environment. It also looks at the effects of outside bodies such as government on business as well as studying objectives and strategies that businesses adopt.

AS: consists of two compulsory modules.

Module 1 - An Introduction to Business - The focus of the module is to gain an appreciation of the nature of business, learn how businesses can be classified, see what the objectives of business may be and consider other influences on business.

Module 2 Business Functions - The focus of the module is to gain an appreciation of different aspects of business including the marketing function, the role of accounting and finance, issues relating to people within organisations and the principles of operations management.

A2: consists of 2 modules 1 optional and 1 compulsory

Optional units

Marketing - Candidates will understand the principles of marketing focusing on the market, market segmentation, market research, marketing planning, models of marketing and the marketing mix.

Accounting - Candidates will understand the principles of business accounting with a particular focus on accounting perspective, concepts, sources of finance, budgets, costs and costing, final accounts and accounting for decisions.

People in organisations - Candidates will appreciate how people function within business organisations with the focus on communication, organising and controlling individual activity, relations between employers and employees, employee participation, methods of remuneration, training, appraisal and the criteria for measuring workforce performance Business production - candidates will appreciate the key aspects of production, including management and the production process, the constraints on production, costs of production and the role of technology, research and development.

Compulsory unit

Strategic Management - Candidates will appreciate how business objectives and strategy are formulated and applied. Candidates will also appreciate issues relating to business analysis. A range of external influences will be considered as well as how organisations deal with change.

The course aims not only to teach Business Studies, but also to develop all of the Key Skills for A Level students including ICT, numeracy, communication - including presentations, problem solving, working in groups and own study skills.

It would be useful for anyone contemplating a career in: accountancy, business, management, marketing, personnel etc. or in journalism or politics.