One of the great things about studying Business studies at Ashbourne is that students learn about real life businesses; many of which they are already familiar with. There is a continual focus on explaining theory in the context of actual business situations. Students will be expected to do research using newspaper and journal articles and relevant websites. The aim is to encourage an interest and understanding of the subject within a wider, real world context. There are regular classroom discussions, which encourage students to verbalise their knowledge and opinions. In addition, classes have an exam focus so that students continually, and from very early on, get exam question practice. Students also study the exam assessment criteria in an effort to improve their answer technique.
Why study Business Studies?
If you study Business studies you’ll investigate real businesses and the global and changing world context they operate in. You’ll learn the practicalities, such as the numbers behind the business, but also why some succeed when others fail. For example, life has been tough for firms of late, but why have some, such as Apple, thrived during the recent recession? There are also really useful analytical tools that can be used to understand any business. Studying Business may not necessarily make students rich but it will give them a good understanding of how businesses work and how they fit with the wider environment.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow AQA specification for Business Studies
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2.
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS unit 1 is called ‘Planning and Financing a Business.’
Unit 1 looks at the key issues involved when setting up a business, such as how to generate a business idea, carrying out the initial market research, developing a business plan and raising start-up finance. It also covers an introduction to finance and the initial financial planning involved in a business start-up, such as, break-even, cash flow, forecasting and budgeting.
Unit 2
AS unit 2 is called ‘Managing a Business.’
Unit 2 builds on unit 1. It looks at how different functions of the business (People, Operations, Marketing and Finance) can be effectively managed, when the business is up and running, in order to increase efficiency. The competitive environment and how this affects the business is also covered.
Unit 3
AS unit 3 is called ‘Strategies for Success.’
Unit 3 looks at strategies for taking a business forward. We consider objectives and strategies; operational, financial and marketing and HR and think about ways in which performance can be measured and assessed.
Unit 4
AS unit 4 is called ‘The Business Environment and Managing Change.’
The final unit looks at the relationship between businesses and their environment. We look at the impact of the economic, legal, political, social, technological and competitive environment on businesses and think about how those environments effect the way businesses operate.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
The unit 1 exam lasts 1 hour and 15 minutes and consists of a data-response question, which means that there is a piece of written information (text) on one business and questions based on this text. There are two sections to the exam. The first of which has shorter definition, identification and calculation questions. The second section requires longer, more developed answers.
Unit 2
The unit 2 examination lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and involves two data-response questions, which require longer, more developed answers. As a result, this exam can be tight for time. Students sit the unit 2 exam at the end of the AS year, usually in June.
Unit 3
The exam lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. Questions are based on an unseen case study but draw on knowledge from previous units.
Unit 4
The exam lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. The first set questions are based on a pre-release research task. The second section will consist of a choice of essays. All will draw on knowledge from all four units.
How is the course structured?
Unit 1 will be covered from September until December. Unit 2 will be covered from January until March.
In AS cases, we will cover the syllabus content and also spend time investigating and practicing the written answering skills involved in structuring and developing a high quality business studies answer. In addition, every week, homework will be reviewed. Students will be expected to complete at least three written exam questions per week for homework.
Unit 3 will be covered from September until December of the A2 year and Unit 3 will be covered from January until March. Students re-sitting AS units in January will have a 2 hour resit class each week
When do the exams take place?
Students will sit AS exams may/June of the AS year. There will be an opportunity to resit these units in January. A2 units 3 and 4 will be sat in June of the A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Mae Lynne McDougal
(MA Hons (Glasgow), Mae Lynne McDougall (Glasgow Caledonian), PGCE (Strathclyde) Business, Economics)
Mae Lynne has an MA in Politics from Glasgow University and an MSc in Business Information. She travelled widely then completed her PGCE and went into teaching. She has been at Ashbourne for eight years. Her interests include hockey and running. She has completed the London and Edinburgh marathons.
Jerry Evans
(BSc Hons (Aberystwyth), FSI (City University, London) Geography (HoD), Business Studies
) Jerry has a degree in Geography from the University of Aberystwyth. He worked investment banking for many years, before completing his PGCE and turning to teaching. He holds an FSI and is a Fellow of the Securities Institute. He is also a member of the advisory board for the School of Management and Business of the University of Wales. Jerry is extremely well travelled and has visited almost every country on the globe.
Beyond A Level for Business Studies Students
Students of Business Studies can go on to a range of related courses such as Business Administration, Business Management or Finance. They may pursue related careers or even feel they have the basis for setting up their own business.
Textbooks
AS
Title - AQA Business Studies AS,’
Author - Stimpson, Foden & Mansell
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Business-Studies-AS-Aqa/dp/0748798463/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275404734&sr=8-10
Title - ‘A to Z Business Studies Handbook,’
Author - Ian Marcouse
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-Business-Studies-Handbook-Complete/dp/0340987294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275405013&sr=1-1
A2
Title -AQA Business Studies A2
Author - Stimpson, Copland-Smith & Mansell
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-Business-Studies-A2-Students/dp/0748798471/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_b
Title - A to Z Business Studies Handbook
Author - Ian Marcouse
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Z-Business-Studies-Handbook-Complete/dp/0340987294/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275405013&sr=1-1
Other Resources
Business Review
http://www.philipallan.co.uk/businessreview/index.htm
Tutor 2u website
http://tutor2u.net/
Business revision guides
Unit 1
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-AS-Business-Studies-Financing/dp/0340947918/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275407429&sr=1-4
Unit 2
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-AS-Business-Studies-Managing/dp/0340958170/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275407429&sr=1-1
Unit 3
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-A2-Business-Studies-Strategies/dp/0340947977/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275407429&sr=1-3
Unit 4
http://www.amazon.co.uk/AQA-A2-Business-Studies-Environment/dp/034094790X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275407429&sr=1-2
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