Business Studies
Studying Business will prepare you for virtually any career by equipping you with financial understanding, organisational ability, marketing knowledge and communication skills to present your ideas logically and clearly. The principles of business underpin every shop, office and organisation in the UK economy, ensuring you will have expertise valued by employers in all sectors.
“I’m convinced that about half of what separates the successful entrepreneurs from the non-successful ones is pure perseverance”
Steve Jobs
Course description
On this course you will study 3 components:
- Exploring Enterprise
- Planning and Running an Enterprise
- Promotion and Finance for Business
This qualification is an excellent foundation for study in Sixth Form or to entry-level job roles within any industry. Achievement at Level 2 provides a solid grounding for the Level 3 BTEC National in Business which is varied and covers specialist topics such as: Business Finance; e-Business Strategy; Human Resources; Business Law; Management and Marketing. Students can then progress to university and roles in specialist areas such as marketing, finance, customer service or human resources in large organisation or a more general role in a small local business.
The course is 60% coursework with only Component 3 being assessed by an examination.
Exam board
Edexcel BTEC Tech Award in Enterprise
Assessment
- You will be assessed through internally assessed coursework (60%) – using a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, role play and presentations.
- External assessment (40%) – One core unit is externally assessed via examination.
- The BTEC First in Business is a Level 1 and Level 2 qualification, graded at Pass, Merit, Distinction and Distinction*.
Ways to help my child succeed
You will need the ability to think for yourself. You will also have to be self-motivated, organised, complete work thoroughly and have an excellent attendance record. You will need to research businesses, complete assignments, watch the news and regularly read newspapers (especially the business section). Other than the usual equipment, a memory stick to back-up your coursework would be useful. To further your vocational experience, you will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities organised by you and your subject teachers, such as the Tenner Challenge and the Big Deal. These provide excellent opportunities to deepen your understanding of business as well as develop problem-solving, creativity and team-working skills.
Are you aware of how much you already know about how businesses operate? You may watch the Apprentice and Dragons’ Den and make judgements about the marketing skills the candidates and pitchers have, or have aspirations to run your own business. This course will enable you to find out why businesses act in the way they do and how they aim to influence your behaviour.
“Whenever you see a successful business someone once made a courageous decision.”
Peter F Drucker
Entry requirements
Entry onto Level 3 courses includes students achieving 4 x Grade 9-4 or equivalent at GCSE alongside a Grade 4 or above in English and/or Mathematics. Students with either English and/or Mathematics at Grade 3 or below will have individual meetings to determine the most suitable pathway within the Sixth Form.
Course description
You will study a range of business related topics including core units:
- Exploring Business – In this introductory unit, learners study the purposes of different businesses, their structure, the effect of the external environment, and how they need to be dynamic and innovative to survive.
- Developing a Marketing Campaign – In this unit learners will gain skills relating to and an understanding of how a marketing campaign is developed, before creating a campaign of their own for a pre-released case study.
- Personal and Business Finance – Learners study the purpose and importance of personal and business finance. They will develop the skills and knowledge needed to understand, analyse and prepare financial information.
- Recruitment and Selection Process – Learners explore how the recruitment process is carried out in a business. The unit gives them the opportunity to participate in selection interviews and review their performance.
There are also a wide range of additional units including Managing an Event, International Business and Principles of Management should you choose to study the Diploma. The course installs a broad understanding of many business theories which can be further developed at university, through employment or via an apprenticeship.
Exam board
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Business
Pearson BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business
Assessment
- Extended Certificate in Business – equivalent in size to one A Level. You study 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are externally assessed.
- Diploma – equivalent in size to two A Levels. You study 8 units of which 6 are mandatory and 3 are externally assessed.
Ways to help my child succeed
You need determination, discipline and good time management. You will develop imagination, critical thinking and team working skills through active and engaging learning. To further your vocational experience, you will have the opportunity to participate in a range of activities organised by you and your subject teachers. These may include the Nestlé Chocolate Box Challenge, Griffins’ Nest, Persimmon Challenge and other Business Challenge Days. Participating in extracurricular activities will help deepen your real world knowledge and understanding of business and also help you to develop additional skills for future employment or study.