Sixth Form Handbook 2022-24

BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT

Course content and structure After introducing the general nature of business, the first year of the course covers the four main functional areas of an enterprise. The Upper Sixth is then dedicated entirely to business strategy. What is business? Pupils study the broad economic, political, and social factors that influence the success of a business. Issues such as population change, consumer confidence, interest rates and industry regulation are explored with a focus on both UK and international case studies. Marketing This module investigates the way in which consumers decide to make purchases and how businesses can use marketing tools to influence such decisions. Pupils study a broad suite of marketing tools including advertising and PR, as well as theoretical principles such as price elasticity of demand and customer segmentation. Accounts and Finance Pupils are introduced to the key concepts of accounting and finance, gaining an understanding of the flow of money through a business and the factors influencing profitability. They learn to analyse financial data and apply technical methodology, such as ratio analysis and discounted cashflow, in order to make robust investment recommendations. Operations and Project Management Operations management is concerned with how a business can most efficiently organise its resources to make products or to deliver services. Pupils study the mechanisms and key metrics of day-to-day business performance while also learning about the management of one-off projects aimed at delivering specific transformation goals.

Management, Decision-Making, and Human Resources

Pupils gain an understanding of the psychological and behavioural factors influencingemployeeperformance. This module blends theoretical components, such as management strategy and motivational models, with practical issues such as employee recruitment and retention. Important contextual factors such as employment law are also studied. Strategy The Upper Sixth year is dedicated to business strategy. Pupils learn first how to analyse and identify existing business strategies, before considering the questions of innovation and strategic change. A key focus is on the management of change within organisations, drawing on knowledge of the functional areas previously studied. The evolving nature of business strategy is addressed, with a focus on globalisation, automation, and the digital economy. Assessment overview There are three written papers that test the subject content across all modules. The majority of marks are awarded through essay and data response formats, including several case study questions. A small number of multiple choice and short-answer questions are also used. Other notes Pupils on this course are expected to link the theoretical issues studied in class with current affairs and, in doing so, continuously develop their own commercial awareness. Pupils choosing A-Level Business may therefore wish to start exploring publications such as The Economist , the Financial Times , Bloomberg , and Harvard Business Review in advance of starting the course.

University and careers links The diverse nature of the Business syllabus means that it combines well with a variety of humanities and science disciplines. In terms of enrolment numbers, Business is the most popular undergraduate degree subject in the UK, reflecting employers’ widespread demand for a commercial skillset. The subject also provides an excellent foundation for many scholarship programmes run by the top-tier professional services and management consultancy firms.

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