Business Studies

Bus with Cap J

Course Description

We, the teachers in our department, always aim to demonstrate the real world to our students so that they gain a better understanding of how the local, national and international economies and businesses work and how they impact on their lives now and in the future. Our aim is to open avenues for our students and to be innovative and creative in our delivery of the concepts under study. The courses available for students are dynamic in nature. They allow students not only to develop academically and acquire many transferable skills for the future, but also gain a practical view of how things work in a wider context which can support employment. Students develop their knowledge in a supportive and stimulating environment enabling virtually all to progress and achieve real success. The courses available set solid foundations for higher education as well as for the job market.

We share a keen interest in the subject, a positive approach to our work and a commitment to bring out the full potential of each and every one of our pupils. We aim to involve pupils in a variety of approaches and experiences. We encourage independence of thought yet also provide opportunity for our pupils to work in a co-operative manner, sharing ideas and developing communication skills. There is a real emphasis on making the learning of concepts fun, interactive and visual. We use many mediums to give our students understanding of topics and this is also supported by well designed, and heavily resourced, schemes of work, ensuring that the specifications and learning criteria are met fully. Students work on examination skills during year 12 to ensure they are confident in assessment and written work ahead of the exams at the end of year 13.

A Level Business Studies

Why study A Level Business Studies?

A-level Business Studies helps students:

Develop a critical understanding of organizations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value
Build awareness that business behaviour can be studied from the perspectives of a range of stakeholders
Acquire a range of skills including decision-making and problem-solving in business contexts
Understand current structures of business and business practice as well as the impact of legislation
Gain an insight into a wide range of career possibilities including Accounting, Finance, Marketing, Human Resources and Operations

What will you study?

Across the two year course you will build an understanding of the following areas:

Theme 1: Marketing and people	Theme 2: Managing business activities
meeting customer needs the market marketing mix and strategy managing people entrepreneurs and leaders	raising finance financial planning managing finance resource management External influences
Theme 3: Business decisions and strategy This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 2.	Theme 4: Global business This theme develops the concepts introduced in Theme 1
business objectives and strategy business growth decision-making techniques influences on business decisions assessing competitiveness managing change	globalisation global markets and business expansion global marketing global industries and companies

Is a business study A-level right for me?

Do you like:

Communicating and explaining your ideas
Thinking creatively and making decisions
Working with numbers to solve business problems
Learning about the world of business through research and investigation, as well as through practical tasks then the A Level Business course is the RIGHT subject for you.

What do I need to know, or be able to do, before taking this course?

It doesn’t matter if you haven’t studied Business prior to taking this course. You might have an interest in business, and want to start your own business one day. You may have an enquiring mind and be interested in learning about the world around you, how businesses are set up, and what it is that makes someone a great entrepreneur. This course will help you to understand all this and more.

You will be encouraged to use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of business, to understand that business behaviour can be studied from a range of perspectives and to challenge assumptions. This course will deepen your knowledge of business as well as support career choices by exploring the different areas of businesses.

Where will it take me?

Work based training or apprentice scheme
University
Employment
Starting your own business

“Business and related subjects including finance and economics are among the most popular fields of study at universities worldwide, particularly at graduate level business graduates are in high demand worldwide, business touches on pretty much every aspect of modern human society, careers with a business degree are diverse and often highly paid.”

http://www.topuniversities.com/courses/business-management-studies/why-study-business

Useful Business resources:

You will be provided with this textbook for the duration of your studies:

Other useful resources include:

https://www.tutor2u.net/business

https://time2resources.co.uk/

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business

https://www.gov.uk/browse/business

Here is a reading list of some useful reading alongside your Business Studies A level:

How I Made It: 40 Successful Entrepreneurs Reveal How They Made Millions

- Rachel Bridge

An essential read for anyone that is thinking about starting their own business. Successful Entrepreneurs are interviewed about how the spotted a gap in a market, and developed a USP.

The Tipping Point: How Little Things Can Make a Big Difference

- Malcolm Gladwell

A very readable and fascinating book, which looks into the reasons products become market leaders.

The Google Story

- David A. Vise

An interesting investigation into the culture at Google, includes insights into the four day working week and soft management styles. The questions is; are these the things that made Google the world’s number one search engine?

The Toyota Way: 14 Management Principles from the World's Greatest Manufacturer - Jeffrey Liker

Covers Japanese Management Techniques such as Kaizen and TQM.

Billions of Entrepreneurs: How China and India Are Reshaping Their Futures and Yours

- Tarun Khanna

An investigation into Asia’s two growing economic powers.

Business Stripped Bare: Adventures of a Global Entrepreneur

- Sir Richard Branson

The autobiography of Britain’s most famous entrepreneur.

Sun Tzu - The Art of War for Managers: 50 Strategic Rules Updated for Today's Business

- Gerald A. Michaelson

Applying the ancient Chinese rules of battle to modern day business.

The Intelligent Investor