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 SSE Arena
The Coca-Cola Factory
Visiting speakers
Young Enterprise Events
Dragons' Den Competition

GCSE Business
GCE Business
GCE Economics
Careers

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 Creating a Business Marketing Business Operations	External written examination 1 hour 30mins Short structured questions and extended writing	40%	Summer from 2018
Unit 2: Developing a Business Human Resources Business Growth Finance	External written examination 1 hour 30mins Short structured questions and extended writing	40%	Summer from 2019
Unit 3: Planning a Business (Synoptic) Business Plan	Controlled Assessment Students complete the following: Booklet A: Planning; and Booklet B: Communicate Findings. 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...