Lower 6th Form Curriculum

AS Business Studies

Syllabus Followed: OCR H030 (AS) and H430 (A2)
Entry Requirements: Grade C in Maths and Grade C in English Language

Examination Structure

(AS) 2 Units are covered and externally assessed from September 2008.

Unit (F291) ‘An Introduction to Business’ - (40% of AS)
5 compulsory questions of a short answer & data response style - (1 Hour)
Unit (F292) ‘Business Functions’ - (60% of AS)
Section A answer one, six part question - (2 Hours)
Section B answer all four questions based on a pre-issued case study

Examination Structure

(A2) 2 Units are covered and externally assessed from September 2009.

Unit (F293) ‘Marketing’ - (40% of A2)
Six questions based on case study stimulus material - (2 Hours)
Unit (F297) ‘Strategic Management’ - (60% of A2)
Four questions answered based on a pre-issued case study, part of which will include a specified numerical content (this unit is synoptic) - (2 Hours)

What is Business Studies?

Business Studies is as demanding intellectually as Economics, but less theoretical. It is not a vocational course. It draws on a wide range of disciplines, such as human resource management, finance, production and marketing and integrates them in the context of an organisation’s external environment. Through case studies and through visits to a number of businesses, you will have frequent opportunities to see classroom theory applied in real situations. Few Business Studies problems have a single, simple answer, so you will need to be able to assemble and sift evidence from a variety of disciplines in developing a solution to a problem.

How does Business Studies differ from Economics?

Although Economics and Business Studies share some common content there is a fundamental difference in emphasis between the two subjects. Take for example a rise in the rate of interest. The Economist would seek to explain why the rate has changed, through the use of theoretical models and diagrams and these models would be used to attempt to predict subsequent changes within the whole economy. In contrast, the Business Studies student would be more concerned with what effect the change in the interest rate would have on an organisation, its employees and customers.

What can Business Studies be combined with?

Business Studies can successfully be combined with any other A level subject.

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