Business is a subject that offers students a very wide scope to the real world. It informs them of the practical nature of the world we live in and the mechanisms that operate in our markets that impact on our lives. This subject is very broad combining theoretical learning with practical working examples. Such course develops students and attains a well meaning balanced to their learning and personal development to their future needs.
Currently the A’Level Business course is over two years covering a multitude of concepts related to the business world. At present we are following the AQA examination board.
AS outline
At AS Level, this specification introduces candidates to the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. It then focuses on how established businesses might improve their effectiveness by making tactical decisions at a functional level.
The AS specification has 2 units:
Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business
Topic list
• Starting a Business - The challenges and issues of starting a business; enterprise; entrepreneurs.
• Financial Planning - Essential financial concepts needed to start a business including: calculating costs, revenues, profits; using a break-even analysis and cash-flow forecasting.
Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 15 minutes (60 marks)
Weighting: 40% of total AS marks/ 20% of total A Level marks
Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study.
Unit 2: Managing a Business
Topic list
• Finance - budgets, improving cash flow and profits.
• People in Business - organisational structures, recruitment, training and motivation.
• Operations Management - operational decisions, quality, customer service, suppliers, technology.
• Marketing and Competition- designing and using an effective marketing mix, market conditions and competitiveness.
Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 30 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting: 60% of total AS marks / 30% of the total A Level marks
Compulsory, multi-part data response questions are also done by students to gain full AS qualification.
A2 outline
At A2, this specification considers strategies for larger businesses and how managers might measure the performance of the business. Finally, it considers the effects that external factors can have on businesses and how a business can plan for and manage change, including leadership style and change in business culture.
The A2 specification has 2 units:
Unit 3: Strategies for Success
Topic list
• Functional Objectives and Strategies - examining their appropriateness in the context of corporate objectives.
• Financial Strategies and Accounts - making investment information, measuring performance, financial decisions.
• Marketing Strategies - analysing markets, and selecting successful marketing strategies, developing marketing plans.
• Operations Strategies - operational issues, location, innovation, improving operational efficiency
• Human Resource Strategies - workforce planning, adapting organisational structures, successful employee relations.
Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks
Questions requiring extended answers drawing upon AS materials. The focus will be on measuring business performance and assessing appropriate functional strategies to achieve success.
Unseen case study with a range of numerical data will be given to test students ability to analyse and evaluate business data.
Unit 4: The Business Environment and Change
Topic list
• Corporate Aims and Objectives - purpose and nature of corporate strategies, stakeholder perspectives.
• Assessing Change in the Business Environment - the effects of changes in the economic, political, social, ethical and technological environment and responses of organisations.
• Managing Change - planning for change, leadership and corporate culture, making strategic decisions, decision making.
Assessment
Written Paper: 1 hour 45 minutes (80 marks)
Weighting: 25% of total A Level marks
A two part paper - Section A will contain questions based upon prior research.
Section B will be a choice of essay titles from which the candidate will select one. This will be a synoptic paper and draw on all the specification.
From the above information you can see that our students gain a broad understanding and an in-depth knowledge of the subject.
BTEC Business
BTEC Business covers three levels, foundation, intermediate and advance.
• BTEC Certificate in Business
• BTEC First Diploma in Business
• BTEC National Diploma in Business
Each course is designed to help natural progression for the students all the way to higher education. The courses are a combination of theoretical and practical units to help students gain an in-depth understanding of the environment around them. The courses are 100% coursework which are both internally and externally assessed. Staffs on each of the courses contribute to the design of the course units to meet the examination board’s requirement. As a Centre we have achieved full students progression ensuring that the courses match the students needs to achieve and move onto the next academic stage. Each course is heavily supported in resources and teaching materials. Students have access to a wide forum of databases to ensure that they get a better understanding of the unit elements being covered. Students are given the opportunities to gain many transferable skills to personally develop themselves for either further, higher education or even for the job environment. The courses allow students to see how concepts are applied in the real market environment such presentation skills, interview skills, analytical and evaluative skills, problem solving, team-working and many more.
BTEC course details:
• BTEC Certificate in Business
This is the foundation level in Business where the students will complete
The Edexcel Level 1 BTEC Introductory qualifications in Business, Retail and
Administrations are designed to widen participation and provide flexibility to enhance learner attainment at Level 1 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
The BTEC Introductory Diploma is equivalent to 4 GCSEs grade D-G and is composed of eight units: three Core units, two Personal Skills units and three Option units.
This qualification has been submitted to QCA for accreditation at Level 1 of the NQF.
Progression
Students can access the BTEC Introductory qualifications having achieved appropriate qualifications or learning at, for example, BTEC Entry level or shown an interest or aptitude in business, retail or administration (e.g. 14-16 year olds).
On successful completion of the BTEC Introductory Certificate students can top-up to the BTEC Introductory Diploma by undertaking the required additional units.
Students can progress to Edexcel Level 2 BTEC First qualification in the same vocational area (e.g. BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Business) or have other options.
Structure of BTEC Introductory Diploma in Business, Retail and
Administration
Learners will be required to study all three core units as well as two Personal Skills
units and three option units.
All Core units must be studied
Unit 1: Starting Work in Business, Retail and Administration
Unit 2: Working in Business, Retail and Administration
Unit 3: Introducing Customer Service
Personal Skills units – two units must be studied
Unit 4: Personal Effectiveness
Unit 5: Social Responsibility at Work
Unit 6: Financial Management
Optional units – three units must be studied
Unit 7: Ensuring Personal Health and Safety at Work
Unit 8: Communicating Effectively at Work
Unit 9: Introduction to Retail
Unit 10: Introduction to Administration
Unit 11: Work Experience
• BTEC First Diploma in Business
The Edexcel Level 2 BTEC First Diploma is a 360 guided learning hour qualification comprising core and specialist units which cover aspects of knowledge, understanding and competency necessary for employment within the sector. As such the BTEC First Diploma offers a qualification which can extend a learner’s programme of study and provide vocational emphasis within their programme of study. Equally, the BTEC First Diploma offers a focused qualification for learners who wish to follow a programme of study that is directly related to their work experience, or to an aspect of employment that they wish to move into in due course.
Key features of the BTEC Firsts in Business
The BTEC Firsts in Business have been designed to develop knowledge and understanding in the business sector, focusing on providing opportunities:
for learners to acquire technical and employability skills, knowledge and understanding which are transferable and will enable individuals to meet changing circumstances
for learners to gain a nationally recognised vocational qualification to enter employment of progress to other vocational qualifications such as:
- BTEC National Award/Certificate/Diploma in Business or Personal and Business Finance
- NVQs or Apprenticeship programmes in Administration, Customer Service or Retail
for learners who are employed in business organisations to develop their underpinning knowledge and skills
for learners to develop the major key skills and the wider key skills in context
for course teams to develop their own innovative courseware that will enthuse and motivate learners
for course teams to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills of learners to meet the needs of the business sector.
Features
- QCA accredited NQF Level 2 work-related qualifications
- Mapped to QCA’s guidelines on work-related learning at Key Stage 4: more details
- Available in schools for pre-16 learners and further education colleges for post-16 learners
- BTEC First Diploma equivalent to 4 GCSEs grades A*-C
Advantages
- Learners who are employed in business organisations will be able to develop their underpinning knowledge and skills
- Provide opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life
- Motivates learners via applied learning and assessment
- BTEC qualifications are recognised by employers and education institutions
- Provides a good progression route to more advanced qualifications eg BTEC Nationals
- Esteem of working in a sector of choice
Benefits
- Will be publicly funded on DfES Section 96 and Section 97 from 1 September 2006
- Listed on the DfES Achievement and Attainment Tables
- Allows flexible delivery for teachers
- Availability of detailed support material for new centres
- BTEC National Diploma in Business
BTEC Nationals are qualifications that are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. They give learners the knowledge, understanding and skills that they need to prepare them for employment. The qualifications also provide career development opportunities for those already in work. Consequently they can provide a course of study for full-time or part-time learners in schools, colleges and training centres.
The family of BTEC Nationals includes Awards, Certificates and Diplomas which offer opportunities for nested provision and flexibility of delivery.
BTEC Nationals are designed to relate to the National Occupational Standards for the sector, where these are appropriate, and are supported by the relevant Standards Setting Body (SSB) or Sector Skills Council (SSC). Some BTEC Nationals form the
Technical Certificate component of Apprenticeships and all attract UCAS points that equate to similar-sized general qualifications.
On successful completion of a BTEC National qualification, learners can progress into or within employment and/or continue their study in the same vocational area.
The 1080 GLH (usually 18 units) BTEC National Diploma extends the specialist work related focus available from the BTEC Certificate. There is potential for the qualification to prepare learners for employment in the appropriate vocational sector and is suitable for those who have decided that they wish to enter a particular area of work.
Some adult learners may wish to complete this qualification in order to enter a specialist area of employment or progress into higher education. Other learners may want to extend the specialism that they followed on the BTEC National Certificate programme.
Progression from the BTEC National Diploma could be into employment where learners might take professional body examinations or complete NVQs. Alternatively, learners could continue to degree or other higher-education programmes in the same vocational sector or in a related sector.
Key features of the BTEC Nationals in Business
The BTEC Nationals in Business have been developed in the business sector to focus on:
• education and training for employees working in administration, marketing, human resources, accounting, ICT and the legal and management areas of business
• providing opportunities for employees working in administration, marketing, human resources, accounting, ICT and the legal and management areas of business to achieve a nationally recognised Level 3 vocationally specific qualification
• giving learners the opportunity to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in the business sector or to progress to higher education vocational qualifications such as the Edexcel Level 5 BTEC
Higher National in Business
• giving learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award in Business
The Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award in Business consists of four core units plus two specialist units that provide for a combined total of 360 guided learning hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award in Business
Unit Core units — all four units must be taken GLH Level
1 Exploring Business Activity
2 Investigating Business Resources
3 Introduction to Marketing
4 Effective People, Communication and Information
Unit Specialist units — choose fourteen units
5 Introduction to Accounting
6 Understanding Financial Accounting
7 Introducing Management Accounting
8 Investigating Accounting Systems
9 Exploring Creative Product Promotion
10 An Introduction to Marketing Research
11 Understanding Relationship Marketing
12 Investigating Internet Marketing
13 Investigating Recruitment and Selection
14 Understanding Aspects of Employment Law
15 Career Development Planning in Business
16 Human Resource Management in Business
17 Improving Performance in the Workplace
18 Managing a Business Event
19 Exploring Team Development
20 Managing Physical Resources
21 Aspects of Contract and Business Law
22 Aspects of Civil Liability for Business
23 Understanding Aspects of the Legal System and Law-making Process
24 Aspects of Criminal Law Relating to Business
25 Working in Administration
26 Managing Business Information 27 Understanding Legal Aspects of Administration
28 Supporting Projects
29 Introduction to the Internet and e-Business
30 Website Design Strategies
31 Investigating Supply Chain Management
32 Organisational Systems Security
33 Website Production and Management
34 Digital Graphics and Computers
35 Advanced Database Skills
36 Understanding Health and Safety in the Workplace
37 Starting a Small Business
38 Understanding Business Ethics
39 Exploring Business and the Economic Environment
40 Investigating International Business
41 Understanding Retailing
42 Exploring Computer Applications for Financial Management