WHAT MAKES A BUSINESS SUCCESSFUL?
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY OF MANAGING EMPLOYEES?
HOW DO BUSINESSMEN MAKE DECISIONS?
HOW DO APPLE & VIRGIN MARKET THEIR PRODUCTS?
HOW DOES THE ECONOMYINFLUENCE BUSINESS PERFORMANCE?

These are just some of the questions that will be answered if you study Business.

WHAT IS BUSINESS ALL ABOUT?

Business is a subject that happens all around us: in the wider world of work, at college, on the news and in newspapers. We also see aspects of business on TV programmes such as Dragon's Den and The Apprentice, not forgetting Big Brother and even the X Factor.

The study of Business includes a range of business situations i.e. new business start-ups to large global organisations.  Throughout the course you will study the following business disciplines: marketing, people management, running the business operations and financing the day-to-day running of the business alongside long-term projects.

THE LESSONS

As a student of business you will learn problem-solving skills e.g. how to make business decisions, in different situations.  These skills will help you to develop analytical and evaluation skills that may also be useful in a wider educational context.
   
Business lessons include a range of student-centred activities e.g. manufacturing cards, recruiting and selecting a member of staff etc, while the theory is studied in the context of real businesses.

AN OVERVIEW OF THE MODULES STUDIED

At AS you will look at the challenges and issues of starting a business, including financial planning. Then you will focus on how established businesses might improve their effectiveness by making tactical decisions at a departmental level.  This includes topics such as developing business plans, conducting market research, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of a business start-up, developing an effective workforce, making operations decisions and designing an effective marketing mix.

At A2 you will consider the strategies of larger businesses and how managers may measure the performance of the business.  Finally, it considers the effects that external factors can have on a business and how a business can plan for, and manage change. This includes topics such as globalisation of markets, developments in emerging markets, government economic policies, the changes in the nature of the ethical environment, planning for change, leadership, making strategic decisions.

WHICH SUBJECTS CAN BE STUDIED ALONGSIDE BUSINESS?

This is a subject that complements a range of AS/A2 subjects e.g. ICT, Economics, English, History, Religious Education, Sociology, Psychology etc.  It may even be studied alongside science subjects as your fourth AS.

WHICH DEGREES?

The broader field of Business Studies and related areas are growing ever important in our society and this is reflected in the wide range of course in these fields.  An A-level in Business is obviously an ideal qualification.  From there, students are well equipped to enter the world of business and finance to pursue numerous challenging and rewarding careers. 

However, AS/A2 Business can also be part of the entry requirements for a wide range of other courses, particularly in the social sciences, as it provides the student with useful skills and knowledge. 

George Clements
Head of Business Studies