Applied Business - GCSE Double Award

This is a double GCSE course taught in single option time. It is a double award so it is awarded the same grade twice. These will be A*A* through to GG.

Course description:

The GCSE in Applied Business is a nationally recognised work-related qualification designed to enable students to gain an understanding of business and investigate the part people play in business. It should provide students with a broad knowledge of business and a choice of routes into further education or employment. Students choosing to study the GCSE in Applied Business should have some aptitude for computers and some motivation to work independently.
The specification consists of three compulsory units:

Unit 1 Investigating Business

This unit will help students to understand the different types of businesses and their aims.

Unit 2 People and Business

This unit helps students to understand the roles played by people with different interests in a business and looks in detail at employers and employees.

Unit 3 Business Finance

This unit introduces the students to business finance.

The 3-unit GCSE Applied Business (Double Award) course offers an introductory vocational qualification. It provides a preparation for employment and / or further study.

Photo of an industrial plant

Course structure:

This course is taught during 5 lessons over the 2 week timetable and consists of three compulsory units. Learning takes place through teacher-led lessons, use of case studies, individual work, student research, group work, websites, text books, discussion and local businesses. All lessons are taught in an ICT room and use of ICT is an integral part of the Business course and students will be expected to use information technology throughout their work, as and when appropriate.

Homework:

Homework will be set weekly and should take approximately one hour to complete.

Assessment, weighting and timings of assessments:

The three units are equally weighted. Students must produce an internally-assessed portfolio for each of Units 1 and 2, and take an externally-assessed test for Unit 3.

Books, equipment, materials and resources recommended / needed:

All resources will be provided in the classroom but students will be expected to investigate local businesses, make use of the RIC for information and use the internet to do research for homework. Computers are available in school for internet tasks.

Opportunities for study beyond Key Stage 4:

The GCSE in Applied Business provides a good grounding to go on to a more advanced course such as:

Vocational ‘A’ level in Business
BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma in Business
GCE AS/A2 Business Studies

Career opportunities supported by this subject:

A GCSE in Applied Business is an ideal qualification if you wish to go straight into employment, because it gives you an understanding of how businesses are organised and the importance of staff and customers.

For more information about the course see the Edexcel website.