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A study of business helps your understanding of how all types of business operate and examines what it takes to make a business successful. You will also find out about the key theories and strategies that are used to make a business work. The subject is taught through problem solving and the skills learned are applicable to national and multinational environments.

This course will appeal if you wish to:
● Start your own business at some point in the future
● Understand more about new types of business careers where you could become a business
consultant
● Be aware of how a business functions if you intend working in a business environment

Business is a dynamic subject so it's important that you enjoy new ideas and what’s happening around
you. To help with this, the course uses real life examples and current business news as case studies to aid your learning.

The course will answer questions such as these:
● How can you generate a profit?
● Will marketing improve your competitive advantage?
● How do you manage people?
● Which types of strategy should you use to change your business?
● How can you manage risk?

If you intend studying business at degree level, a wide number of courses offer choices that
combine business with other subjects. The variety of business degrees is also wide with many
offering options that count towards professional exemptions in areas such as accountancy or human
resource management.

Course content

AQA 7132

The course is divided into 10 topics over two years:

  • What is business?
  • Managers, leadership and decision making.
  • Decision making to improve marketing performance.
  • Decision making to improve operational performance.
  • Decision making to improve financial performance.
  • Decision making to improve human resource performance.
  • Analysing the strategic position of a business.
  • Choosing strategic direction.
  • Strategic method: how to pursue strategies.
  • Managing strategic change. 

 

Assessment

Paper 1 (2 Hours, 33.3%)
Three compulsory sections:
● Section A has 15 multiple choice questions (MCQs) worth 15 marks.
● Section B has short answer questions worth 35 marks.
● Sections C and D have two essay questions (choice of one from two and one from two) worth
25 marks each.

Paper 2 (2 Hours 33.3%)
Three data response compulsory questions worth approximately 33 marks each and made up of three
or four part questions.

Paper 3 (2 Hours 33.3%)
One compulsory case study followed by approximately six questions.