Business Studies - Applied

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Entry Requirements

Entry onto the Applied Business course is through an initial assessment of your communication and numeracy skills. The Business staff will inform you whether you will be given a place on the Applied course or the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in the first week of the course. You do not need to have studied Business in the past to do this course. However, you will need a C grade in GCSE English Language to do this course. This course is very different to the GCSE in Business and Communication Systems.

About the Subject

The Applied Business course is an alternative to traditional A-Levels. The course has been introduced to enable students to follow a career-related course after the age of 16 instead of just the traditional academic school subjects. The course is both coursework (two thirds) and examination (one third) based. During the course you will investigate a wide range of areas
including finance, people in business and marketing. The course enables students to develop a broad understanding of Business principles with both a theoretical and practical approach to teaching and learning. The Applied Business course also allows students to develop their analytical and evaluative skills through case study materials.

You will encounter a variety of different tasks and learning approaches. You will acquire your basic knowledge and understanding through class notes, research, videos, TV and practical exercises. You will learn how to apply this knowledge
and make business decisions through exercises, visits, trips and speakers. You will also get the opportunity to develop your information technology skills through the coursework.
 
AS Year

Assessment Unit Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of Exam Weighting in AS Weighting in A2
BS03 Financial Planning & Monitoring Exam January 33.3% 16.6%
BS01 Investigating Business Coursework February 33.3% 16.6%
BS02 People in Business Coursework May 33.3% 16.6%


A2 Year

Assessment Unit Name Type of
Assessment		 Date of Exam   Weighting in A2
BS03 Managing People Exam January   16.6%
BS01 Business Planning Coursework February   16.6%
BS02 Marketing Strategy Coursework May   16.6%


Investigating Business (AS Unit 1)
This is a coursework unit and you will explore how businesses operate, how they meet the needs of customers and how marketing influences business success.

People in Business (AS Unit 2)
This is also a coursework unit you will study the role and responsibilities of people in business. You will look at recruitment, training and development opportunities available to individuals and why motivation is vital to retaining staff.

Financial Planning and Monitoring (AS Unit 3)
This is an exam on finance and you will be assessed on your ability to calculate costs, revenues and profits. You will also have to draw cash flow forecasts, budgets and other accounts.

Business Planning (A2 Unit 8)
This is another coursework unit in which you will develop your own plans for a new business of your choice.

Marketing Strategy (A2 Unit 9 )
This coursework unit examines how businesses market new and existing products. You will develop a marketing strategy for a business and decide how best to advertise and promote the product.

Managing People (A2 Unit 12)
This is the final exam taken at the start of the second year. The unit examines how Managers look after their staff, how the motivate a workforce and how power and authority can be delegated.