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A Level Business Studies at Garth Hill College

Course description

Are you interested in what happens in the business world around us? Are you able to identify how one decision can have an impact on the whole business and its customers? Do you have a good understanding of maths? Then Business Studies could be the course for you!

Quotes from current students:

‘Business has made me passionate about my future.’ ‘I love Business. It is a great use of my time and the teachers are great’ ‘Business has helped me in my part time job at Waitrose.’

Course content

Content of the AS course

Unit 1: Planning and Financing a Business
You will look at the process of setting up a business, the finance associated with a new business idea, how to market a new product, how to produce these products and how to recruit and train staff needed to get a business up and running.

Unit 2: Managing a Business
You will look at the ways in which a business can be managed in the first few years in terms of the marketing, operations, human resources and finance.

Content of the A2 course

Unit 3: Strategies for Success
You will look at financial strategies to improve profits, strategies to take on the competition, operational strategies to improve products and for improving employee relations. These are the four cornerstones of a successful business

Unit 4: The Business Environment and Managing Change
You will learn how to understand the vision of a business, and how to deal with the impact of economic, cultural, political or technological changes on an organisation. The exam board will also release a research theme which much be investigated and used in the exam. This year’s theme is ‘Developments in emerging markets: China’

Entry requirements

This course would be suitable for you if you demonstrate learning in examinations, have a good standard of written English and Maths. The entry requirements for this option are at least a C in GCSE English and at least a B in GCSE Maths. A GCSE in Business Studies would be beneficial but is not essential. You need to be able to work independently as well as in groups. You must be able to write extended essays as year 13 is assessed using 36-40 mark questions.

Assessment

Unit 1 – Exam in the summer of year 12

Unit 2 – Exam in the summer of year 12

Unit 3 – Exam in the summer of year 13

Unit 4 – Exam in the summer of year 13

Unit 1 is worth 20% of your overall grade and lasts 75 minutes

Unit 2 is worth 30% of your overall grade and lasts 90 minutes

Unit 3 is worth 25% of your overall grade and lasts 105 minutes

Unit 4 is worth 25% of your overall grade and lasts 105 minutes

Future opportunities

Business is Studies can be studies at university and it can be used practically in any future employment. It is particularly useful to have an understanding of business if you want to work part time in retail or any other customer service role alongside your sixth form studies.

Careers which would benefit from a back ground in Business include:

  •  Retail
  •  Sales
  •  Management
  •  Accounting
  •  Surveying
  •  Teaching
  •  ICT
  •  Insurance
  •  Business owner
  •  Banking
  •  Customer service

How to apply

If you want to apply for this course, you will need to contact Garth Hill College directly.

Last updated date: 27 April 2015
View provider details Garth Hill College

Key information

  • Start date: Next September
  • Duration: 2 Years

Venues

  • More information

    • Garth Hill College Sixth Form is open to all students. We aim to provide high quality education in a supportive, friendly environment. We cater for all abilities and offer a wide range of subjects at Level 3 (Advanced Level) and Level 2, as well as courses which are delivered through our partnership with other local providers. Choosing the courses which are right for you is an important decision. We have a highly experienced team of Sixth Form personal tutors who will be able to provide you with expert advice, guidance and support.

      Our results are good and many subjects’ results are among the best nationally.  However, we aim to ensure that all our Sixth Formers are encouraged to develop their personal confidence so that they can work effectively both for themselves and others.  We want to see all our Sixth Formers succeed, not only in their studies, but also as young adults within the College and local community.

       

      You will be encouraged to show initiative and to develop new skills; to work on your own and in teams; to take advantage of the opportunities which are regularly presented to post-16 students. We value our Sixth Formers and we challenge them to perform to the very best of their abilities. Being a student at Garth Hill College Sixth Form will provide you with a wonderful opportunity to work hard, take up new responsibilities and gain valuable experience and preparation for the next stage of your life.