GCSE BUSINESS 

Option 

Business is an exciting and fast-moving subject which looks at the way businesses start and operate to satisfy customers and make profits for investors. It will give you an appreciation of the dynamic environment in which businesses operate and the factors which have an impact. The course will provide you with the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to prepare you for employment or higher education. It blends easily with other subjects and opens up a wide range of careers. 

What Will You Do? 
You will study two themes. Theme 1 concentrates on the key business concepts, issues and skills involved in starting and running a small business. You will explore core concepts through the lens of an entrepreneur setting up a business. You will be introduced to local and national business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. Local contexts refer specifically to small businesses or those operating in a single UK location and national contexts relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. You will develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity through interactions between business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, as well as the relationship between the business and the environment in which it operates. You will gain an understanding of how these interdependencies and relationships underpin business decisions. 

Theme 2 examines how a business develops beyond the start-up phase. It focuses on the key business concepts, issues and decisions used to grow a business, with emphasis on aspects of marketing, operations, finance and human resources. Theme 2 also considers the impact of the wider world on the decisions a business makes as it grows. You will be introduced to national and global business contexts and will develop an understanding of how these contexts impact business behaviour and decisions. National contexts build on those in Theme 1 and relate to businesses operating in more than one location or across the UK. Global contexts relate to non-UK or transnational businesses. You will develop an understanding of the interdependent nature of business activity through interactions between business operations, finance, marketing and human resources, as well as the relationship between the business and the environment in which it operates. You will gain an understanding of how these functional areas influence business activity and how interdependencies and relationships between them underpin business decisions. 

What Qualifications Can You Obtain? 
At the end of the course, you will achieve a GCSE in Business. There is a single tier of entry in Business, so you can achieve every grade from 9 – 1. 

How Will Your Work Be Assessed? 
You will have two written examinations at the end of the course. Theme 1 and Theme 2 examinations are both 1 hour and 30 minutes in length and each is worth 50% of the qualification.

Please note that if you choose GCSE Business or vocational Business as an option, we will advise you as to the most appropriate qualification (GCSE or vocational) for you. 

For further information, please contact Mrs McKernan, Subject Leader for Business.