Academic Subjects Business Studies (AS/A2)
Business Studies (AS/A2)
Business Studies (AS/A2)
Business Studies is a very popular A Level subject at Millfield and the most popular subject at university.
Business Studies examines how business decisions are made in the context of accounting and finance, marketing, human resources, production and the economy at large. The objectives and strategies of businesses are studied and pupils are invited to develop and recommend courses of action for businesses facing a range of problems.
Much reference is made to current business stories in the news and the subject is lively and relevant either as a route to a business career or simply as a way of becoming more informed as a consumer.
What do people want? Will the product satisfy those wants? How can the efficiency of production be improved? What pricing strategy should the firm adopt? How should the business be financed? Why do mergers and take-overs occur and what are their consequences? How could a firm improve the motivation of its workforce? Which investment projects should go ahead? How does the Government influence business decisions? Can firms manipulate demand as well as supply? Is consumer sovereignty under threat? These are just a few of the questions examined on the course.
It is not necessary to have studied GCSE Business Studies in order to be successful in AS or A2 Business Studies. AS level will usually be a stepping stone to A2 Business Studies but it could be taken as a stand-alone qualification thus providing an understanding of business in support of extended study in other subjects.
AS Level Business Studies
The AS Business Studies course leads to 3 examinations at the end of the Lower Sixth year and these are as follows:
Unit 1: Marketing and Finance This 60 minute exam will consist of two data response questions and represent 15% of the total A-level marks. Each question is made up of a half-page article, often from a newspaper or business magazine, followed by five questions. The purpose of the exam is largely to test knowledge, understanding and application of market analysis, company accounts, budgeting and break-even analysis.
Units 2 and 3 are examined in the context of a single pre-issued case study covering people, operations management, external influences and objectives and strategy. From this single text will be derived two one-hour examinations: one hour’s worth of questions on Unit 2 and one hour’s worth on Unit 3. Unit 2 represents 15% of the total A-level marks and Unit 3 represents 20%.
Unit 2: People and Production The syllabus here includes management structure and organisation, motivation, human resource management, production efficiency, stock control, quality control and lean production.
Unit 3: External Influences and Objectives and Strategy Here you would study how to start a small business, business objectives and strategies, economic constraints, elements of business law and social responsibilities. The marks achieved in each exam will be converted to a unit grade. The marks are cumulative and collectively converted to an overall grade for the AS award. A-Level Business Studies is a two part award with AS representing 50% and A2 representing the remaining 50%.
A2 Level Business Studies
A2 builds upon AS Business Studies by introducing new topics and placing greater emphasis on developing the skills of analysis and evaluation. Successful candidates must be able to construct arguments in a business context. The examinations in A2 are as follows:
Unit 4: Decision Making This 90 minute case study tests marketing (sales forecasting, plans and budgets), accounts (profit and loss, balance sheet, ratios and investment appraisal), people (employment law, unions and HRM) and operations management (CPA, R&D, IT and location). Typically, there will be two or three appendices of data or graphs. The intention is to provide plenty of data in order to facilitate decision making. This exam represents 15% of the A-level marks. The case study will concentrate on the need to make a business decision. A decision will have to be recommended and justified by the candidate on the basis of quantitative and qualitative information in the case study. All the questions will be about the decision. There will be four questions. This paper represents 15% of the A-level marks.
Unit 5: The Numerical Report and Essay This is a 90 minute exam representing 15% of the A-level marks. Section A asks candidates to write a report to a business manager or owner recommending a course of action based upon a written description of a business, plus five appendices of numerical data. Section B contains four essay questions and candidates are required to answer one of those questions.
Unit 6: The Synoptic Case Study This 90 minute exam represents 20% of the A-level marks. It assesses candidates’ understanding of the relationships between the different elements of Business Studies and brings together the whole course.
If you would like any further information please see Mr Williams or any member of the Business Studies Department.