The course has been designed to provide students with an understanding of the following: how businesses work; how the world around them affects decision-making within a business; what leads to change and how businesses respond to these issues; and the range of perspectives that can be taken on business activities. It also helps develop a range of important and transferable skills: data skills; presenting arguments and making recommendations on the basis of the available evidence; and problem solving. The Course The course is divided into two units, each of which is divided into several lessons. All of the lessons have references to the textbook and selected websites. At the end of each lesson is a set of self-check questions. After studying the lesson you should be able to answer these questions. If you struggle with any of them, go back and re-read the relevant section. There are also a number of assignments. At various points you will be asked to complete one of the assignments and send it to your tutor for marking. Each unit corresponds to a unit as set out in the syllabus and an examination. The lessons also correspond to sections of the units in the syllabus. It is important that you will study the lessons in the right sequence. However you should be aware that business studies is very much an integrated subject – try and see the links between topics as you go along, and remember that this is certainly something the examiner will expect. The units are divided up as follows:
Starting and Business:
Financial Planning:
Finance:
People in Business:
Operations Management:
Marketing and the Competitive Environment:
The full syllabus can be found on the AQA exam board website at www.aqa.org.uk, together with other useful material such as example exam papers. (The syllabus used is the one that is new in 2008 – please make sure you look at this rather than the previous syllabus).
Although the course material provides explanations of the whole syllabus you are strongly advised to purchase a copy of the following AS level textbook:
Hall, Jones and others, Business Studies, AS (AQA) 4th edition, (2008), Causeway Press. ISBN 978-1-4058-9220-9
Sections of the book will be set out as recommended reading in places within the course material.
Business studies is a contemporary and “real world” subject. Business studies students can benefit greatly from drawing on experience of employment, experience as consumers and what they see in the media.
Students need to have gcse level mathematics skills to do well on the course. There is no difficult mathematics but there is a need to have a go at interpreting figures and performing simple calculations.
40% of AS, 20% of A Level
1 hour 15 minutes examination 60 marks
Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study.
Available January and June
60% of AS, 30% of A Level
1 hour 30 minutes examination 80 marks
Compulsory, multi-part data response questions. Available January and June
The course is divided into two units, each of which is divided into several lessons. All of the lessons have references to the textbook and selected websites. At the end of each lesson is a set of self-check questions. After studying the lesson you should be able to answer these questions. If you struggle with any of them, go back and re-read the relevant section. There are also a number of assignments. At various points you will be asked to complete one of the assignments and send it to your tutor for marking.
Each unit corresponds to a unit as set out in the syllabus and an examination. The lessons also correspond to sections of the units in the syllabus. It is important that you study the lessons in the right sequence. However you should be aware that business studies is very much an integrated subject – try and see the links between topics as you go along, and remember that this is certainly something the examiner will expect. The knowledge and understanding contained in AS units is also assessed through the A2 course – do not see these AS units as wholly separate.
The units are divided up as follows:
Functional Objectives and Strategies:
Financial Strategies and Accounts:
Marketing Strategies:
Operational Strategies:
Human Resource Strategies:
Corporate aims and objectives:
Changes in the Business Environment:
Managing Change:
Business studies is a contemporary and “real world” subject. Business studies students can benefit greatly from drawing on experience of employment, experience as consumers and what they see in the media. Students need to have gcse level mathematics skills to do well on the course. There is no difficult mathematics but there is a need to have a go at interpreting figures and performing simple calculations.
Strategies for Success
25% of A Level 1 hour 45 minutes examination 80 marks
Questions requiring extended answers based on an unseen case study drawing upon knowledge from AS units.
The Business Environment and Managing Change
Pre-release research tasks leading to the first section of a two section examination.
The second section will consist of choice of essays. All questions will be essay style and synoptic therefore drawing upon knowledge from all four units.
Basic English reading and writing skills, as full tutor support is given.
Approximately 300 hours.
AS/A2 - A level in Business Studies. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.
Specification: AQA (Full A Level) 2130, AQA (AS) 1131 and AQA (A2) 2131
Learning documentation, Online Resources and Tutor support for 2 years. Further Information
Please note that this course is available in online format only. You will need to have one of the following packages to access your course online:
Windows: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista - Acrobat Reader 8.0 and above Macintosh: Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 8.0 and above
As an A Level student you will have access to our online 'Common Room', where you are able to receive the latest course updates, extra materials and information. You will also be able to take part in the student chat room and forums as part of our online student community.
Once enrolled, your username, password and personal College Student number will be emailed to you within 5 working days, which will give you access to your course materials via the ‘Common Room’.
The full A Level will be a 2 year course, AS Exams to be taken in 2009 and A2 in 2010. Due to Examination Board restrictions, there is no flexibility to complete this course any sooner.
Students are required to arrange and pay for their examinations and manage the course work element if the subject requires this. Students must check the relevant examination board website for further information and final examination sitting dates for the specification.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.bmp)