Business Studies

The Course

In an increasingly complex and competitive world, knowledge of the practices and processes of business activity is an important part of the survival kit for any citizen. Business Studies uses knowledge and experiences that pupils have already encountered from school, friends, part-time jobs and parents, and builds on this to explore the decisions taken by business organisations.

GCSE Business Studies has been designed to promote a practical approach to learning, which centres on the students acquiring skills through investigating different business practices. Pupils will be encouraged to think like business leaders, by participating in realistic problem solving activities through role-plays, games and assignments.

During the two year course pupils will learn how a business decides who it is going to employ, how it is going to encourage people to buy its product, which production methods it will use, and how it is going to pay for itself. Much use is made of local businesses, and visits and speakers are organised to help pupils research the different topic areas.

Course Content

We follow the WJEC exam specification for GCSE Business, which covers a range of topics such as:

  Business activity

Influences on business

Business operations

Finance

Marketing

Human resources

Course Structure

Unit 1: Introduction to the Business World

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes

30% of qualification (60 marks total)

Unit 2: Key Business Considerations

NEA: 5 hours

15% of qualification

Unit 3: Business Strategies for Success

Written examination: 1 hour 15 minutes 

30% of qualification

Unit 4: Business Creation

NEA: 8 hours

25% of qualification