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
Business Studies helps students understand more about how and why businesses operate in the way that they do. Students are able to relate what they study to everyday activities, such as purchasing goods, and the news reported in the media.
ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE
| Content | Assessment | Weighting | Availability |
|
Unit 1: Business Start Up
|
External written exam 1 hour 20mins Format: Structured questions |
35% |
Summer |
|
Unit 2: Business Development
|
External written exam 1 hour 40mins Format: Three structured questions with an incline of difficulty |
40%
|
Summer Terminal Assessment |
| Unit 3: Controlled Assessment |
Controlled Assessment Format: Candidates complete one task from a range of tasks released in September each Year Synoptic* |
25%
|
Summer Terminal Assessment |
* Synoptic assessment requires candidates to identify and use, from across the full course studied, those aspects/elements/knowledge/skills which are required to address a particular task or question.
CRITERIA
- Students must be prepared to take an interest in current affairs/business issues and work independently
- It is desirable that students possess good ICT skills
- Students would benefit from good standards of numeracy and literacy.
If oversubscribed, pupils will be selected for Business Studies on the basis of their performance in Mathematics and English in the Year 9 and 10 Summer and Winter results
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 |
Level of Entry - (Please contact the College as the information below is subject to change)
Students undertaking A Level Business Studies must have an interest in current affairs and have a willingness to read economic and business related materials. Students would benefit from good standards of numeracy and literacy.
It is preferred but not essential to have studied GCSE Business Studies and/or Economics. If a student has sat GCSE Business Studies and/or GCES Economics they must attain a Grade ‘B’ in either subject. If a student has not studied GCSE Economics or Business Studies they must attain a grade ‘B’ in GCSE Maths and English.
If this subject is oversubscribed students will be selected on the basis of their GCSE Economics and or Business Studies grade/s or if the candidate has not studied either of these subjects, selection will be based on the grade achieved in GCSE English and Maths.
GCSE Economics
Examining Board: CCEA
COURSE DESCRIPTION
Studying a course based on this specification gives students opportunities to engage with a wide range of important issues. For example:
- What is the real cost of alcohol and tobacco consumption?
- What causes house, food and fuel prices to rise and fall?
- Why do some people earn so much more than others, and are such differences justified?
- What should be the most important priorities for government economic policy?
ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE
|
Content |
Assessment |
Weighting |
Availability |
|
Basic Economic Ideas Producing and Consuming Financial Capability Managing the Economy Trade, Aid and Development
|
Students take two papers set and marked by examiners. Each paper may assess any of the subject content the specification. Paper1: 1 hour Students write a structured report based on a pre-released case study. The case study is available to students in centres from January in the year of the examination |
40%
|
Summer only
|
|
Paper 2: 2 hours The paper has a range of different question types: short answer and data response questions (which are compulsory), and one essay from a choice of four. |
60% |
Summer only |
CRITERIA
- Students must be prepared to take an interest in current affairs/business issues and work independently
- Students taking this course should be able to communicate ideas in writing, make basic mathematical calculations and handle data presented in charts, tables and graphs.
If oversubscribed, pupils will be selected for Economics on the basis of their performance in Mathematics and English in the Year 9 and 10 Summer and Winter results
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 |
Level of Entry (Please contact the College as the information below is subject to change)
Students undertaking A Level Economics must have an interest in current affairs and have a willingness to read economic and business related materials.
It is preferred but not essential to have studied GCSE Economics and/or Business Studies. Students would benefit from good standards of numeracy and literacy. If a student has sat GCSE Economics and/ or Business Studies they must attain a Grade ‘B’ in either subject. If a student has not studied GCSE Economics or Business Studies they must attain a grade ‘B’ in GCSE Maths and English.
If this subject is oversubscribed students will be selected on the basis of their GCSE Economics and or Business Studies grade/s or if the candidate has not studied either of these subjects, selection will be based on the grade achieved in GCSE English and Maths. Preference may be given those students who have attained a ‘B’ grade in GCSE Additional Maths.
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