Key Stage 4
Business Studies

GCSE in Applied Business is a nationally recognised, work-related qualification designed to provide you with a choice of routes into further education or employment.  This course teaches the skills and knowledge you need to follow a career in any industry.  Some examples are shown below:  

• communication skills
• numeracy skills
• good time management
• knowledge about other businesses
• good buying and selling skills
• good presentation skills
• team working skills - gets on well with different kinds of people.
• leadership skills - resepected and strong willed
• computer skills
•  all students also take part in the Young Enterprise programme

How can this GCSE support your career pathway?

A GCSE in Applied Business can allow you to progress to:  

• taking a Business AS level or Advanced Vocational Business at sixth form college
• taking a modern apprenticeship in a business
• setting up your own business
• gaining a qualification as an accountant, marketer, public relations executive, solicitor etc.

What will you be doing if you take GCSE Applied Business?

The two year course is made up of three units: 

• Unit 1 - Investigating Business - This looks at what businesses do, how they compete, how businesses use ICT and what the law says about businesses.  You will visit and research two businesses as part of your coursework.  This unity is coursework based and assignments are spread evenly throughout the two years.  It will count toward your final grade.
• Unit 2 - People and Business - This unit examines in detail the importance of employees.  You will learn about rights and responsibilities of employees and employment law.  This unit is coursework based.
• Unit 3 - Business Finance - This unit looks at how businesses deal with money.  You will learn about costs and profit.  A written paper assesses this unit.

Sound great?  You must be prepared to work hard, explore new ideas, use ICT in your work and have an interest in business.  All students choosing this option must have at least level 4 in English and Maths.

BTEC First in Enterprise

BTEC First in Enterprise - otherwise known as 'Preparing for Enterprise' - is a new award at intermediate Level 2.  It gives students the opportunity to explore the range of skills, techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.  This applies equally to those who are considering working for an employer in any business sector or taking a step further and thinking about setting up and running their own business.

The qualification consists of 90 guided learning hours.  It is a varied programme involving tuition from an experienced Business Tutor, and a group of individual assignments.

The learner will be required to produce evidence for assessment (as far as possible on a practical basis) by using presentations, written plans, research details and guided discussions

The group will study the following modules: