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A recent survey found that 30% of adults are considering starting their own business or side hustle. Yet 60% of new businesses in Britain fail within the first three years and the main reason is not lack of customers or profit, but cashflow, i.e. they didn’t have enough money to pay their suppliers.
On this course, you’ll learn the basics of how both large and small businesses are run. We focus on Marketing because developing products to satisfy customer needs and running promotions to attract them is key to a successful business.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and Mathematics. It is not necessary to have studied Business at GCSE to take this course.
In Year 1, you will cover the four main functional areas (Marketing, Finance,Operations & Human Resources) ready for an external exam. You’ll then conduct a marketing coursework project.
In Year 2, there are two coursework units, a marketing one on Customers & Communications and one on Human Resources. There will also be an externally examined unit on Working in Business which is a broad topic including finance and people skills.
Examined units are mainly classroom- based, though we use laptops and mobile phones to complete research tasks.
You will look at case studies of popular companies to practice analysis and evaluation skills, which are essential for answering exam questions. Coursework units are more research-based, incorporating more independent learning alongside some group-based activities. We have experienced staff who are familiar with exam board mark schemes and coursework requirements to ensure students maximise their potential grades.
Year 1 – One 2 hour exam (90 marks). One coursework project internally marked.
Year 2 – One 90 minute exam (60 marks).
Two coursework projects internally marked.
Past students on this course successfully progressed into employment or onto degree courses such as Business and Business Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Accounting, Business Enterprise and Management Studies, as well as a range of combined degree subjects.
