AS/A2 GCE BUISNESS STUDIES (AQA/LEVEL 3)
Course Overview
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AS Units
Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business.
Starting a business the challenges and issues of starting a business for entrepreneurs. Essential financial concepts such as calculating costs, revenues, profits; using break even analysis and cash-flow forecasting.
Unit 2: Managing a Business
Budgets, improving cash flow and profits. Organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation. Operational decisions, quality, customer service, suppliers and technology. Designing and using an effective marketing mix, market conditions and competitiveness.
A2 Units
Unit 3: Strategies for Success
How appropriate functional objectives and strategies are in terms of Corporate objectives. Measuring performance and making financial decisions. Analysing markets, selecting successful marketing strategies and developing marketing plans. Operational issues, location, innovation, improving operational efficiency. Workforce planning , adapting organisational structures, successful employee relations.
Unit 4: The Business Environment and Managing Change
Purpose and nature of corporate strategies, including stakeholder perspectives. The effects of change in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations. Planning for change, leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions, decision making.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE A*-C including English and Mathematics together with at least a Grade B in Business Studies if studied.
Course Duration
1 – 2 Years
Assessment Method
One examination to be sat January and one examination in June of each year of study. Unit 1 40% of AS, 20% of A2, Unit 2 60% of AS, 20% of A2, Unit 3 25% of A2 and Unit 25% of A2
Examination Details
Unit 1 – 1 hours and 15 minutes – January 2012 (40% of final AS grade/20% of final A2 grade)
Unit 2 – 1 hour and 30 minutes – June 2012 – (60% of final AS grade/30% of final A2 grade)
Unit 3 – 1 hour and 45 minutes – January 2013 (25% of final A level grade)
Unit 4 – 1 hour and 45 minutes – June 2013 – (25% of final A level grade)
Extension activities and where to find them
All students should be able to access the lesson resources and other relevant materials which are placed on the P: Drive.
Where to get extra support
Students should watch the news on television, to read reputable newspapers (not tabloids) and to keep up to date with business topics on the BBC website or other reputable websites. It may be beneficial to read Business Studies books based on topics studied, borrow books from the library to gain a broader knowledge and to read journals like the Business Review. Websites and other materials will be referred to in lessons for students to continue to research in their own time.
Catch Up Classes
Lunchtime revision sessions can be arranged with the teacher. After school revision sessions can be arranged with the teacher. Easter Holiday Revision Sessions.
Links & Resources
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business
www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk
www.bized.co.uk
www.tutor2u.net
Reading Lists
AQA Business Studies AS, Steve Foden, Diane Mansell & Peter Simpson, Nelson Thornes, ISBN 978-0-7487-9846-9
AQA Business Studies for AS 3rd Edition, Malcolm Sturridge & Andre Gillespie, Hodder Education, ISBN 978-0-340-95717-2
Business Studies AS Level AQA 4th Edition, Dave Hall, Rob Jones, Carlo Raffo & Alain Anderton, Pearson Longman, ISBN 978-1-4058-9220-9
CGP AS Level Business Studies, Exam Board AQA, The Revision Guide, ISBN 978-1-84762-134-4
AQA Business Studies A2, Helen Coupland Smith, Diane Mansell & Peter Simpson, Nelson Thornes, ISBN 978-0-7487-9847-6
AQA Business Studies for A2 3rd Edition, Malcolm Sturridge & Andre Gillespie, Hodder Education, ISBN 978-0-340-97355-4
CGP A2 Level Business Studies, Exam Board AQA, The Revision Guide, ISBN 978-1-84762-274-7
<needs updating>
AS Units
Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business.
Starting a business the challenges and issues of starting a business for entrepreneurs. Essential financial concepts such as calculating costs, revenues, profits; using break even analysis and cash-flow forecasting.
Unit 2: Managing a Business
Budgets, improving cash flow and profits. Organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation. Operational decisions, quality, customer service, suppliers and technology. Designing and using an effective marketing mix, market conditions and competitiveness.
A2 Units
Unit 3: Strategies for Success
How appropriate functional objectives and strategies are in terms of Corporate objectives. Measuring performance and making financial decisions. Analysing markets, selecting successful marketing strategies and developing marketing plans. Operational issues, location, innovation, improving operational efficiency. Workforce planning , adapting organisational structures, successful employee relations.
Unit 4: The Business Environment and Managing Change
Purpose and nature of corporate strategies, including stakeholder perspectives. The effects of change in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations. Planning for change, leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions, decision making.
Entry Requirements
A minimum of 5 GCSE A*-C including English and Mathematics together with at least a Grade B in Business Studies if studied.
Course Duration
1 – 2 Years
Assessment Method
One examination to be sat January and one examination in June of each year of study. Unit 1 40% of AS, 20% of A2, Unit 2 60% of AS, 20% of A2, Unit 3 25% of A2 and Unit 25% of A2
Examination Details
Unit 1 – 1 hours and 15 minutes – January 2012 (40% of final AS grade/20% of final A2 grade)
Unit 2 – 1 hour and 30 minutes – June 2012 – (60% of final AS grade/30% of final A2 grade)
Unit 3 – 1 hour and 45 minutes – January 2013 (25% of final A level grade)
Unit 4 – 1 hour and 45 minutes – June 2013 – (25% of final A level grade)
Extension activities and where to find them
All students should be able to access the lesson resources and other relevant materials which are placed on the P: Drive.
Where to get extra support
Students should watch the news on television, to read reputable newspapers (not tabloids) and to keep up to date with business topics on the BBC website or other reputable websites. It may be beneficial to read Business Studies books based on topics studied, borrow books from the library to gain a broader knowledge and to read journals like the Business Review. Websites and other materials will be referred to in lessons for students to continue to research in their own time.
Catch Up Classes
Lunchtime revision sessions can be arranged with the teacher. After school revision sessions can be arranged with the teacher. Easter Holiday Revision Sessions.
Links & Resources
www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/business
www.businessstudiesonline.co.uk
www.bized.co.uk
www.tutor2u.net
Reading Lists
AQA Business Studies AS, Steve Foden, Diane Mansell & Peter Simpson, Nelson Thornes, ISBN 978-0-7487-9846-9
AQA Business Studies for AS 3rd Edition, Malcolm Sturridge & Andre Gillespie, Hodder Education, ISBN 978-0-340-95717-2
Business Studies AS Level AQA 4th Edition, Dave Hall, Rob Jones, Carlo Raffo & Alain Anderton, Pearson Longman, ISBN 978-1-4058-9220-9
CGP AS Level Business Studies, Exam Board AQA, The Revision Guide, ISBN 978-1-84762-134-4
AQA Business Studies A2, Helen Coupland Smith, Diane Mansell & Peter Simpson, Nelson Thornes, ISBN 978-0-7487-9847-6
AQA Business Studies for A2 3rd Edition, Malcolm Sturridge & Andre Gillespie, Hodder Education, ISBN 978-0-340-97355-4
CGP A2 Level Business Studies, Exam Board AQA, The Revision Guide, ISBN 978-1-84762-274-7