Business Studies

Head of Department: Mr W Davitt

BTEC L2 Tech Award in Enterprise , Subject Lead - Mr B Cook

These courses are available at KS4 only.

Would you like to set up your own business and be a successful entrepreneur? Would you like to be a manager in a business? Have you got an interest in the news and how the government and their policies affect your everyday life? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then one of our Business courses is the choice for you.

See below or click the downloads for detailed curriculum information.

If you would like to view related Key Stage 5 courses, please click the links below:

A Level - Business

 

What is Business Studies?

Students will investigate and explore the purpose of business activity, the role of business enterprise and entrepreneurship, and the dynamic nature of business. The importance of external influences e.g. technology, e-commerce and international trade on business and how businesses change in response to these influences. How and why businesses need to raise finance and how they use it to achieve the aims and objectives.

You will learn about how the world of business works and its relevance to almost every aspect of modern society. Amongst other topics, you will learn about planning, finance, marketing and economics and discover some of the methods and techniques used to analyse an organisation’s performance.

What skills will I develop?

We want our students to develop as independent learners and encourage them to use an enquiring, critical approach to distinguish facts from opinions, form arguments and make informed judgements.

Differences Between GCSE Business and BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise

While both courses provide a strong foundation in business, they cater to different learning styles and assessment preferences:

• GCSE Business is exam-based and focuses more on theoretical knowledge and analytical skills.
• BTEC Enterprise is coursework-based with a practical approach to enterprise and applied learning.
• GCSE suits students who enjoy structured learning and formal exams.
• BTEC suits students who prefer continuous assessment and hands-on projects.
• GCSE develops critical thinking and evaluation skills.
• BTEC develops planning, presentation and reflective skills.

How will I be assessed?

GCSE Business

During the two years, students are assessed, by their teacher, at least once a term on their

business knowledge and understanding of the key topics. At the end of year 11 students are

assessed by two written exam papers:

• Written exam paper 1: Influences of operations and HRM on business activity (worth 50% of the final GCSE grade). 1h 45 mins.
• Written exam paper 2: Influences of marketing and finance on business activity (worth 50% of the final GCSE grade). 1h 45 mins.

BTEC Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise

Typical Learning Activities include:

• Conducting market research
• Planning and developing a micro-enterprise idea
• Delivering a business pitch to an audience
• Reviewing and reflecting on business performance

Assessment Structure:

The course includes a mixture of coursework and exam. Below are the 3 components examined.

• Component 1: Exploring Enterprises (Internal Assessment) – Coursework worth 30% of course.
• Component 2: Planning for and Pitching an Enterprise Activity (Internal Assessment) – Coursework worth 30% of course.
• Component 3: Promotion and Finance for Enterprise (External Exam) – Examination worth 40% of course.

What jobs or further courses of study might this lead to?

These courses open exciting opportunities to study business-related subjects at A-level or as L3 BTEC here at Comberton Sixth Form.

We live in a corporate world and the markets operate around us constantly. Because of this, business is a universal subject. There are few, if any, careers for which an understanding of business would not be of some benefit. Business studies is also a key to attaining highly paid and challenging roles in all levels of management.

Are there any entry requirements for this course?

Students are recommended to have a keen interest in the world of business and world-wide current affairs. If you do not have this interest then please do speak to a member of the Business department to see if this course is a good fit for you. You can find us in Six Bus.

If I need additional support, what can I access?

Students will have access to a class resources and useful revision materials, including access to our online virtual learning environment. Additional exam revision sessions will also be offered prior to the unit examinations or coursework.

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