The Economics and Business Studies Department is one of the largest departments in the Sixth Form with over half of all the senior pupils studying one or other subject. There are five members in the department who all bring with them varying business and commercial experience. The department is well situated in the van Hasselt Centre with dedicated classrooms which, in conjunction with the computer rooms, help to host a range of media which complements the delivery of these contemporary subjects.
A Level
Business Studies covers the life-cycle of a business – from start-up to multi-national company. Case-studies of a wide variety of businesses are used, ranging from the smallest business start-up (as may be seen on BBC2’s Dragon’s Den) to the largest plc’s, such as Tesco and Microsoft. It involves studying in some detail how today’s businesses carry out their various functions, including marketing, finance, operations management (production) and people (human resources).
Ultimately, Business Studies is about decision-making. What price for a can of new fizzy drink, where to sell it, where to make it, how to raise the money to fund its manufacture, how to motivate the staff, how to deal with customer complaints? The course you might embark on in Business Studies offers the opportunity to ask these and similar questions, sometimes by looking through the eyes of a corporate giant like Coca Cola and sometimes from the point of view of a relative minnow like a local brewery. The course also looks at how outside activities affect businesses and in turn how businesses react to these; for example, the effect of changes in Government policy (e.g., taxes or interest rates), levels of competition, demand, pressure groups and business ethics. In addition the A Level studies the objectives and strategies that businesses adopt e.g. recent merger activities and the outsourcing of production to Asia.
The specification offered is the Edexcel course, which is based around the following four key themes:
- Marketing and people
- Managing business activities
- Business decisions and strategy
- Global business
At A Level these themes will be tested across three papers, which will be a combination of multiple choice, short answers and essays. There is no coursework element in either year.
Business Studies is a practical and dynamic subject and the approach is less theoretical than that of Economics. The ability to analyse, evaluate and write good English is important. It suits students with a more creative mind who are interested in the hands-on practicalities of how businesses operate. Students should be excited by contemporary business affairs. Strong mathematical abilities are not required, but students should be prepared to analyse data and be able to apply and analyse simple financial ratios.
BTEC
The Level 3 BTEC Business Extended Certificate is a dynamic and practical qualification, equivalent in size to one A Level, designed for students interested in the vibrant Business world. This course provides a comprehensive introduction to core business principles, allowing students to delve into key areas such as marketing, finance, and management. What sets the BTEC apart is its blended approach to assessment, combining practical, coursework-based projects with externally assessed examinations, which allows students to demonstrate their skills in a variety of ways. Through engaging with real-world case studies and collaborative tasks, your child will develop not only specialist knowledge but also the vital transferable skills of problem-solving, communication, and financial literacy that are highly valued by both universities and employers. This qualification is an excellent pathway to higher education, apprenticeships, or direct entry into a business-related career.
FAQ’s
- How is this different from A Level Business Studies
The main difference lies in the method of assessment and the style of learning. While both are Level 3 qualifications and the BTEC Extended Certificate holds the same UCAS points as a full A-Level, their structures are distinct:
- Assessment: A Level Business is assessed almost entirely through final examinations at the end of the two-year course. The BTEC, however, uses a blended assessment model. It combines units assessed through internal coursework (such as reports, projects, and presentations) with externally assessed units (which include a written exam and a supervised, task-based assessment).
- Learning Style: The BTEC qualification emphasises a more vocational, hands-on approach. Learning is frequently applied to practical, real-world business scenarios and case studies, which is ideal for students who enjoy learning by doing. A Level Business tends to be more theoretical and analytical, focusing on academic writing and evaluation skills.
- Workload Management: Because BTEC assessments are spread throughout the two years, students can bank their grades as they complete each unit.
- What topics are covered?
The course is designed to give students a broad and solid foundation in the essential functions of a business. The four mandatory units that all students will study are:
Unit 1: Exploring Business: Students investigate the purposes of different businesses, their structure, and the influence of the external environment. (Assessed through internal coursework).
Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign: Students gain skills relating to planning and delivering a marketing campaign for a specific product, based on a given business scenario. (Assessed through an external, supervised task).
Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance: This unit covers the importance of managing personal and business finance, including interpreting financial documents and making calculations. (Assessed through an external written examination).
Unit 8: Recruitment and Selection Process: This unit explores how businesses recruit and select the right employees to meet their needs. Students will learn about the entire process, from creating job descriptions and advertising roles to shortlisting candidates and conducting interviews, while also understanding the impact of employment law. (Assessed through internal coursework).
Do please note that you can only take one of the following options (BTEC Business, A Level Business Studies and Economics) at any one time.
