GCSE Business Studies

Introduction

The course is split into two themes theme one is about investigating small businesses and how they are set up and is taught through year ten. This is then built on in year eleven where students will investigate the process of growing a business through their studies in theme two. Theme two builds on the key concepts that are introduced in theme one and therefore ensures a consistent building of knowledge of business concepts.

Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. It provides a framework for students to explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. In this theme, students will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. Local contexts refer specifically to small businesses or those operating in a single UK location and national contexts relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK.

Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. Theme 2 also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows. In this theme, students will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. National contexts build on those in Theme 1 and relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Global contexts relate to non-UK or transnational businesses.

How is the course assessed?

There are two units on the course, theme one and theme two.

Theme 1 comprises five topic areas.

Topic 1.1 Enterprise and entrepreneurship

Topic 1.2 Spotting a business opportunity

Topic 1.3 Putting a business idea into practice

Topic 1.4 Making the business effective

Topic 1.5 Understanding external influences on business

Theme 2 comprises five topic areas.

Topic 2.1 Growing the business

Topic 2.2 Making marketing decisions

Topic 2.3 Making operational decisions

Topic 2.4 Making financial decisions

Topic 2.5 Making human resource decisions

How is the course graded?

The course is graded with GCSE grades 1 to 9.

Equipment

Students will need to have a simple calculator.

Students can purchase the following revision guide for this course: Pearson Edexcel GCSE (9-1) Business Revision Workbook. ISBN-10: 1292190701

Homework

Students will be set exam questions to complete as weekly homework.

Learning outside of the classroom