Business Studies

Course summary

Learners will be required to investigate different types and sizes of organisations in various business sectors and environments, drawing on local, national and global contexts. Learners will develop an holistic understanding of business and enterprise and be aware of the opportunities and threats of operating in a global marketplace. Learners will be expected to be familiar with current issues in business and be able to investigate, analyse and evaluate contemporary business opportunities and problems in a wide range of contexts, whilst recognising how businesses adapt to operate in a dynamic business environment. Learners will gain an understanding of the important role played by small businesses in the economy and the opportunities that exist for entrepreneurs, as well as the importance of established business and not-for-profit organisations in providing goods and services. Learners will apply a number of analytical techniques, including decision-making models, investment appraisal tools and ratio analysis, to investigate business opportunities and problems to determine business strategy in a range of contexts. Learners will be expected to use a range of numerical skills and make justifiable decisions using both quantitative and qualitative methods applied in the context of A level Business as listed in Appendix A. The knowledge, understanding and skills are set out in two columns. The topic to be studied is in the first column, with amplification in the second column. There is no hierarchy implied by the order in which the content and amplification are presented, nor should the length of the various sections be taken to imply any view of their relative importance.