Business
If you have any further enquiries, please email Miss Saffron Owen, Head of Economics and Business Studies, at sowen@salesiancollege.com
Why study Business?
Business is an extremely popular A Level course. It is a useful subject for a wide variety of university studies and for the world of work. This subject is concerned with day-to-day issues affecting Business and students therefore can relate to the concepts covered, through their study and keeping up to date with current events.
Business takes the viewpoint of the organisation and is concerned with the process of decision making short and long term within the organisation. Students study the interrelated nature of Business using business models, theories and techniques to support analysis of contemporary business issues and situations. All study is within real business situations and shows the need to consider all aspects of impact that any decision taken may have. Internal factors – operational, financial, human resources and marketing are considered together with external factors of competition, economic and social environments. The topics lend themselves to studying and engaging with the business world. The specification and assessment encourages students to follow business developments and think critically about contemporary business issues.
Why at Salesian College?
Salesian College offers excellent facilities in which to study Business. The students learn in an extremely hospitable environment. Students are challenged both in and outside of the classroom. Activities include national competitions based on share-trading as well as visits to BMW Mini, Bank of England, City of London and New York, to experience how business is conducted in the US . External speakers are used to link the subject matter to future career aspirations of the students and the teachers have an abundance of knowledge and expertise, gained from previous work experience.
What does the Business course involve?
Business follows the Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Business. It is structured into four themes and consists of three externally examined papers,at the end of Year 13.
Paper 1 = 35%
Paper 2 = 35%
Paper 3 = 30%
Students are introduced to business through building knowledge of core business concepts and applying them to business contexts to develop a broad understanding of how businesses work. Breath and depth of knowledge and understanding, with applications to a wider range of contexts and more complex business information, are developed in the second year of study, requiring students to take a more strategic view of business opportunities and issues.
Students will develop an understanding of the following topics:
Year 1 syllabus
- meeting customer needs
- marketing mix and strategy
- managing people
- entrepreneurs and leaders
- raising finance
- financial planning
- resource management
- external influences.
Year 2 syllabus
- business objectives and strategy
- business growth
- decision-making techniques
- influences on business decisions
- assessing competitiveness
- managing change
- global marketing
- global industries and companies.
Skills required
As a student of Business you will need to be interested in business and the economy, be comfortable with basic mathematics and be capable of writing coherent English. The understanding of concepts, terminology and theory are the key to success. There is no need to have studied GCSE Business to take this subject.
What the Business Department offers in teaching and resources
All students learn in a well-resourced centre, with an extensive reference library in the department. Throughout the course, material is examined from textbooks, case studies, magazines and quality newspapers. Current affairs programmes are also important as well as up-to-date documentaries following topical issues.
What is expected from Business students?
You will be expected to have a keen interest in Business and ultimately must apply your knowledge outside of the classroom environment each and every day to get the most from the course. You will be expected to be proactive with work and have a good attitude in relation to completing it on time.
What can an A Level in Business lead to?
Many students go to university to follow courses in Business related subjects, for example, Accountancy, Business Management, International Marketing and have careers in Banking, Insurance, Government, Finance, Operations Management, International Marketing, Public Relations, Human Resource Management.