Syllabus Specification: Business Studies

The AS / A2 Advanced Level course
[OCR H030 + H430]

The OCR Business Studies syllabus to be studied from September 2008 will introduce the main principles of business and their application.

The AS Business Studies course will be taught and examined through two modules. These are:
a] An introduction to Business; and
b] Business Functions.

An introduction to Business

This unit considers the way in which businesses operate and the effect of the external business environment. In particular, pupils will learn about how the business environment provides opportunities and imposes constraints on the pursuit of short-term and long-term objectives. The unit is set within the context of local, national and international constraints on business structure, objectives and environment.

Business Functions

This unit emphasises the integrative nature of the subject. Marketing, Accounting and Finance, People in organisations and Operations management will be studied in detail so that pupils develop an understanding that for a business to be a success in a dynamic and challenging environment, decisions have to be taken in the context of both the organisation's wider objectives and its resources. Both AS units have written examinations, one of which will be based on pre-issued case study stimulus material. This will introduce a particular business scenario on which the exam questions are based.

In the Upper Sixth, two A2 modular units will be studied during the academic year commencing in September 2009. These are:
a] Marketing and
b] Strategic Management.
Both units will require an investigative approach towards Business Studies and will be examined by questions from case-study stimulus material.

Pupils will be expected to develop a variety of skills, such as the ability to calculate, analyse, evaluate and interpret business data. Additional reading and note taking from textbooks, newspapers journal articles and e-sources will be necessary to supplement the classroom work and deepen the pupil's understanding of the subject. The problem-solving nature of the course will certainly assist candidates who wish to go on to higher education, but the course will be equally suitable for candidates seeking work in the business sector.

Recommended entry requirements

Business Studies is not offered at GCSE so all pupils taking the AS course will be starting a brand new subject. In order to attain high marks in Business Studies pupils will need to write with clarity and fluency and will be expected to submit coherent, well-structured written answers at A2. These skills will be developed throughout the course. A strong grade in GCSE Mathematics is recommended because pupils will need to be confident in handling a considerable amount of financial and accounting data which has to be understood, calculated and analysed.

Recommended Subject Combinations, Careers and Higher Education.

Business Studies will combine well with a range of other AS and A2 options. The A2 course taught at Glenalmond will act as a suitable introduction for all Accountancy, Business, Commercial, Financial, Management and Professional Service degree courses and employment.

Economics & Business Studies Department - Academic Staff

Jeremy Robinson is Head of Department. Mr. Robinson shares the teaching of AS Economics with Mr. Erdal. He teaches all the A2 Economics to the Upper Sixth. Mr. Robinson also teaches a small amount of the AS Business Studies syllabus to the Lower Sixth.

Stewart Hamilton teaches most of the AS Business Studies syllabus and teaches all of the A2 Business Studies to the Upper Sixth.

News and Events

Up to date material is now available on the Economics and Business Studies Department Virtual Learning Environment. This gives access to e-information and is updated on a daily basis. Pupils can access web-sites and subject specific material from anywhere in the world after logging on to:

www.glenalmondvle.org.uk

and entering the Economics or Business Studies VLE. Click on the Economics Resources or Business Studies Resources for access to support material, e-information and web-sites from the Bank of England and Tutor2u.

I hope that all of the information provided above is valuable. Further details about courses / pupil intake and examination results can be obtained by contacting JeremyRobinson@GlenalmondCollege.co.uk