Business Studies Economics
Key Staff
- Mrs P Allen (HoD)
- Mr M McFarland
Business Studies and Economics are stimulating subjects to study and increase students' knowledge and critical understanding of the world in which we live.
Introduction to courses offered
Business Studies provides students with a unique insight into the world of work. Through its study, students discover how businesses operate and learn about their key elements and essential business functions.
Economists study how individuals and groups of people make choices about what to do with their limited resources. Economics is, therefore, not just about money, business and the stock market. Though these are important aspects of the subject, economics also deals with wider social and environmental issues including climate change, globalisation, sustainable development and the distribution of income and wealth.
Learning Opportunities
To enhance the knowledge and understanding of the courses offered students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of learning experiences.
Previous learning opportunities:
- The Belfast Telegraph's Rensburg Share Challenge (We came second in this competition 2007/8)
- The Big Idea Workshop (We won this competition in 2007/08)
- CCEA Workshops
- Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory
- Tyrone Crystal in Dungannon
- The Tayto Factory in Tandragee
- The Mars Factory in Berkshire
- London Stock Exchange
- Houses of Parliament in London
- Stormont
- The Odyssey
- The Coca-Cola Factory
- Visiting speakers
GCSE Business Studies
Examining Board: CCEA
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Through this GCSE Business Studies specification students learn about how businesses start up, resources they need, marketing, finance, challenges they face and how they grow. Students also explore the role of stakeholders – groups that have an interest in a business – as well as human resources, the recruitment and selection process, and the value of training and motivation for employees.
Important new business topics include the role of social enterprise, e-business and m-business, discovering how businesses can use electronic and mobile technology in different ways. Students also learn to apply useful skills such as proposing business strategies or solutions, understanding other viewpoints and justifying decisions.
A qualification in Business Studies can lead to a career in accounting, advertising, banking, retail, management consulting, marketing, research, human resources, a small business, or self-employment as an entrepreneur.
ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE
| Content | Assessment | Weighting | Availability |
|
Unit 1: Starting a Business
|
External written examination 1 hour 30mins Short structured questions and extended writing |
40% |
Summer from 2018 |
|
Unit 2: Developing a Business
|
External written examination 1 hour 30mins Short structured questions and extended writing |
40%
|
Summer from 2019 |
|
Unit 3: Planning a Business (Synoptic)
|
Controlled Assessment Students complete the following:
Teachers mark the task, and we moderate the results. |
20%
|
Summer from 2019 |
Awarding Body: CCEA
Business Studies gives students an invaluable insight into how organisations meet the discerning needs of stakeholders in a constantly changing environment. Students discover how businesses operate and engage in the decision-making and risk-taking processes at all levels in the organisation. Students develop a greater awareness of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities that organisations and individuals face as they conduct their business. They also have the opportunity to develop valuable transferable skills that will help them to access further education courses or become a valued employee.
This course offers an excellent foundation for a career in marketing, finance, accountancy, management, human resource management or self-employment.
|
Content |
Assessment |
Weightings |
|
AS 1: Introduction to Business |
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes Two compulsory structured data responses (80 marks) |
50% of AS 20% of A level |
|
AS 2: Growing the Business |
External written examination 1 hour 30 minutes Two compulsory structured data responses (80 marks) |
50% of AS 20% of A level |
|
A2 1: Strategic Decision Making |
External written examination 2 hours Five compulsory structured data responses (90 marks) |
30% of A level |
|
A2 2: The Competitive Business Environment |
External written examination 2 hours Six compulsory structured data responses (90 marks) |
30% of A level |
Awarding Body: CCEA
Economics provides an insight into the behaviours that influence income, wealth and well-being. It is a social science which incorporates Maths and Statistics and has connections with the Physical Sciences and Politics, Law and Geography.
Economists study how people make choices about resources. Economics is not just about money and business: it deals with wider social and environmental issues including climate change, globalisation and the distribution of wealth.
Students of GCE Economics develop many skills necessary for education and the world of work. These include critical investigation and analytical thinking. The earning potential for economics degree students is very high, and there are currently shortages of qualified economists.
|
Content |
Assessment |
Weightings |
|
AS 1: Markets and Market Failure |
Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes In Section A, students complete four short answer questions. In Section B, students answer one case study question broken down into a number of parts. In Section C, students answer one extended open response question from a choice of two. |
50% of AS 20% of A level |
|
AS 2: Managing the National Economy |
Written examination 1 hour 30 minutes In Section A, students complete six short answer questions. In Section B, students answer one case study question broken down into a number of parts. In Section C, students answer one extended open response question from a choice of two. |
50% of AS 20% of A level |
|
A2 1: Business Economics |
Written examination 2 hours In Section A, students complete three short answer questions. In Section B, students answer one case study question broken down into a number of parts. In Section C, students answer one open response question from a choice of two. |
30% of A level |
|
A2 2: Managing the Economy in a Global World |
Written examination 2 hours In Section A, students complete four short answer questions. In Section B, students answer one case study question broken down into a number of parts. In Section C, students answer one extended open response question from a choice of two. |
30% of A level |
The skills gained on a business and management studies degree allow you to build commercial awareness and start contributing to your chosen employer quickly and effectively
Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Chartered management accountant
- Corporate investment banker
- Insurance underwriter
- Management consultant
- Operational researcher
- Risk manager
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Human resources officer
- Logistics and distribution manager
- Marketing executive
- Retail manager
- Sales executive
- Systems analyst
A degree in economics provides you with a wide array of both subject-specific and transferable skills, all of which are highly sought after by employers...
Job options
Jobs directly related to your degree include:
- Chartered accountant
- Chartered certified accountant
- Chartered public finance accountant
- Economist
- Financial risk analyst
- Investment analyst
- Statistician
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
- Actuary
- Civil Service fast streamer
- Diplomatic Services operational officer
- Local government officer
- Management consultant
- Quantity surveyor