Clayesmore

Sixth Form A-level Courses Business Studies

Business Studies

Board: WJEC

Syllabus: AS – 2081; A2 – 3081

Modules

1. AS BS1. The Business Framework – The aim is to give all candidates an introduction to Business Studies and to provide the necessary core subject knowledge, understanding and skills that will enable them to progress with confidence to BS2.
2. BS2. Business Functions – Some topic areas from BS1 are re-visited so that more complex concepts can be explored. In addition, there are new and challenging areas of study.
3. A2 BS3. Business Decision Making – This unit provides an overview of business strategy.
4. BS4. Business Strategy and Practice – This unit focuses on how business objectives are to be achieved once they have been decided upon.

Method of Assessment

AS BS1 – 1 hour 15 minutes (20%); BS2 – 1 hour 45 minutes (30%)

A2 BS3 – 2 hours (25%); BS4 – 2 hours (25%)

Further information

The aim of the course is to help students understand the nature and working of business and industry. You will develop the ability to recognise, define, analyse and evaluate problems based on real business case studies. It is like being taken backstage, helping you to understand some of the things that go on behind the scenes. You will look at factors outside the control of a business which have a big impact on its operations – such as the law, technology, ethics and social change.

Business Studies is a broad-based discipline, with elements of psychology, economics, sociology, politics, geography and technology. You must read, investigate and take a genuine interest in the outside world – this is not a purely classroom or textbook based subject.

The exams at AS consist of short-answer and data response questions. At A2, the BS3 exam is a case study with questions that test you understanding of the whole course, whilst the BS4 exam has some problem-solving questions, and an essay question. Many of the students who take Business Studies at Clayesmore go on to read a related degree subject at university, such as Business Management, Management Science, Economics, Marketing, or Accountancy.