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Entry Requirements

  • Minimum of 5x 9-4 grades in GCSE examinations including 5 in English
    Language and 5 in Maths. Students will need a grade 4 in Business Studies if taken for GCSE.

Vocational Tech Award qualifications at Level 2 at Merit and above in a relevant subject, eg Business Studies.

Contact

Conroy Walker
Director of Learning – Business

conroy.walker@sgla.latrust.org.uk

Qualification Aims and Objectives

The course develops students’ understanding of organisations, management processes and business decision-making in dynamic local and global contexts while fostering inquiry, critical thinking, and practical investigation. It encourages students to be knowledgeable, inquiring, open-minded and ethically aware, and to appreciate how business can respond to change, innovation, sustainability and stakeholder concerns.

Objectives

  • Develop a conceptual understanding of key business management theories, functions and processes.
  • Acquire and apply tools and techniques for business analysis, decision-making and planning.
  • Build practical and analytical skills through investigation of real business examples and case studies.
  • Consider the ethical, environmental, cultural, economic and social implications of business activity.

Course Outline

Syllabus Themes

  • Business organisation and environment: Types of organisations, stakeholders, external environment, growth, strategic planning.
  • Human resource management: Leadership, motivation, organisational structure and culture, employee relations (HL extension).
  • Finance and accounts: Sources of finance, costs and revenues, break-even, profitability, investment appraisal (HL extension).
  • Marketing: Marketing role, marketing planning and research, international marketing, e-commerce, extended marketing mix (HL extension).
  • Operations management: Production methods, quality management, location, research and development, crisis planning (HL extension).
  • Strategic decision-making: How internal and external factors influence business decisions, implementation of strategy in complex environments.

Assessment (HL)

  • External (80%): Papers based on unseen stimulus/case studies, quantitative analysis, extended responses on business functions and strategy.
  • Internal (20%): Business Research Project — students carry out a real-world investigation into an organisational issue using appropriate business tools and theory.

Future courses and possible careers

Entrepreneurship • Business Consulting • Management • Finance and Investment Banking • Marketing and Brand Management • Human Resources • Operations and Supply Chain Management • Strategic Planning • Corporate Sustainability • International Business • Market Research • Business Analytics • Retail Management • Project Management • Change Leadership

IBCP: Business Management complements a variety of subjects on the IBCP. For example, combine with BTEC Sport and IB Psychology for careers in sports coaching or IB Global Politics and AAQ IT for careers in management.

IBDP: you would take this as one of your HL subjects, fulfilling the Individuals and Societies requirement.