GCSE Business Studies

This course is equal to 1 GCSE. It is a brand new subject and will cover topics not covered in key stage 3. It is suitable for pupils with excellent written English skills. There will be 2 Exams and 1 piece of Controlled Assessment.

Unit 1 Exam – Setting up a Business – this covers 40% of your marks.

Unit 2 Exam – Growing as a Business – this covers 35% of your marks.

The topics you will cover are:

Starting a Business:

Starting a business enterprise
Setting business aims and objectives
Business planning
Choosing the appropriate legal structure for the business
Choosing the location of the business
Expanding a business

Finance

Finance and support for a small business
Financial terms and simple calculations
Using cash flow
Finance for large businesses
Profit and loss accounts and balance sheets

Marketing

Conducting market research and limited budgets
Using the Marketing Mix – Product
Using the Marketing Mix - Price
Using the Marketing Mix – Promotion
Using the Marketing Mix – Place

People in Business

Recruiting
Motivating staff
Protecting staff through understanding legislation
Organising organisational charts and management hierarchies
Recruitment and retention of staff

Operations Management

Production methods for manufacturing and providing a service
Customer service
Production methods for growing businesses
Recognising challenges of growth
Maintaining quality assurance in growing businesses

The Business Organisation

Expanding a business
Choosing the right legal structure for the business
Changing the business aims and objectives
Choosing the best location.

Unit 3 – Controlled Assessment – Investigative a Business- this covers 35% of your marks.

This will involve you investigating an existing company and preparing reports on your findings.