What is business studies?

Business studies offers young people the chance to develop knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to:

• the economic environment in which businesses operate
• the contribution that organisations make to the creation of wealth and the satisfaction of human needs and wants
• the nature and role of enterprising and managerial behaviour.

Business studies prepares young people to take active roles in business and organisational settings. It develops essential communication, planning and evaluation skills and gives young people the knowledge and understanding to use these skills appropriately in the private, public and voluntary sectors. The teaching of business makes young people more aware of their roles as consumers, workers, citizens and ultimately as business owners.

What is GCSE business studies?

GCSE business studies enables candidates to develop an understanding of:

• the relationship between business activity and the changing environment within which it takes place
• the structure, organisation and control of the main forms of business
• business management in a competitive environment.

What is AS/A level business studies?

AS and A level business studies encourage students to:

• develop a critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value
• be aware that business behaviour can be studied from the perspective of a range of stakeholders including customer, manager, creditor, owner/shareholder and employee
• acquire a range of skills including decision making, problem solving and the interpretation and management of qualitative and quantitative data.

What is AEA business?

The Advanced Extension Award (AEA) in business is a progression from business studies and applied business qualifications. It provides opportunities for students to demonstrate a greater depth of understanding than required at AS/A level. It also provides creativity and critical thinking.

This award encourages students to:

• identify key components of complete business situations, evaluating the significance and sufficiency of available evidence, and analyse the interconnected nature of these components
• demonstrate an understanding of how the wider external environment can influence complex business situations
• adopt a strategy approach when proposing coherent and creative solutions to complex business problems
• explore a range of perspectives when dealing with complex business situations, appreciating the difficulties faced by businesses when implementing change.

Links to GCSEs, AS/A levels and the AEA accredited by QCA, as well as to other websites relevant to business studies can be accessed from this page.