A Level Business Studies Home Learning Course

Was £395.00 now £310.00 for a full AS/A2 Level.
Specification
AQA GCE Business Studies (1131)
Course Overview

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  Develop a wide range of important problem-solving and decision-making business skills


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  Explore many of the legal and financial aspects of starting and developing a business


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  Understanding of the internal business structures of various organisational types and the ability to co-ordinate efficient functioning in the contemporary and modern business world.


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  Knowledge of the external business environment and the various economic factors that can underly the functioning of businesses.


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  The various prominent forces that can affect the business performance and enact changes and how to deal with these elements of change when they do arise.


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  Importance of stakeholders in the business including customers, creditors, shareholders, employees and how they can affect the course of direction of the business.


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  Acquiring and developing core transferable skills in business.


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  Development of responsible business management capabilities including planning, organising and problem-solving.

Testing Centres
http://www.aqa.org.uk/admin/p_private.php
Course Content
Unit 1 Business Planning and Financing
Topic 1: Business Start-up Guide 
Topic 2: How to Finance Small Businesses
Unit 2 Concepts of Business Management
Topic 1: Financial management, measures and performance techniques.
Topic 2: Importance of Human Resources and how it affects the Business
Topic 3: How to Achieve Efficient Operations Management
Topic 4: How Marketing A Business Affects its Competitiveness in a dynamic business world.
Assessment description:
The AS assessment consists of two examinations as follows:
AS Unit 1 (BUSS1): Planning and Financing a Business
1 hr 15 minutes examination. Short answer questions and extended responses based on a mini case study for 60 marks, 40% of AS total marks.  20% of A Level total marks
AS Unit 2 (BUSS2): Managing a Business
1 hr 30 minutes examination. Compulsory, multi-part data response questions for 80 marks, 60% of AS total marks. 30% of A Level total marks
Content of the course
Unit 3 Strategies for success
Topic 1: Functional Objectives and Strategies.
Topic 2: Financial Strategies and Accounts of larger businesses
Topic 3: Development of Marketing Strategies for larger businesses.
Topic 4: Operational Strategies for Success in the particular market for the business.
Topic 5: Human Resource Strategies for Effective People Management  
Unit 4 The Business Environment and Managing Change
Topic 1: Corporate Aims and Objectives and how it determines strategy formation.
Topic 2: Assessing changes to the Business Environment and identifying Business opportunities and threats.
Topic 3: Change Management   
Assessment description:
The A2 assessment consists of two examinations as follows:
A2 Unit 3 (BUSS3): Strategies for success
1 hr 45 minutes examination. This is based on questions which would require extended answers from an unseen case study that draws upon knowledge gained from AS units. 80 marks. 50 per cent of A2 total marks. 25% of A Level.
AS Unit 4 (BUSS4): The business environment and managing change
1 hr 45 minutes examination. This is based on pre-released research tasks that lead to the first section of a two section examination. The second section will consist of a choice of essays. All questions will be essay style and synoptic therefore drawing on knowledge from all four units. 80 marks, 50 per cent of A2 total marks. 25% of A Level.
Please check your specification as details may be subject to change by the awarding body.
Study Time
To complete a full A level it will take in the region of 200 study hours.
Pre-requisites
To take an A Level with UK Open Learning you should have a GCSE grade C or above, or the equivalent and preferably in your chosen subject.
Support
As a student of UK Open Learning you will have access to tutor via email who will mark your work and guide you through the course to ensure you are ready for your examinations.
Examination Centres
UK Open Learning will provide you with a list of examination centres but it is entirely your responsibility to find a centre which will accept you as an external candidate.
In some cases you should be prepared to travel to another town or city to take your exams.
The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre  and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre.
Please email for a list of centres and we will provide you with a link or a pdf for you to contact centres directly. We are unable to provide this information by telephone. 
Suggested reading
AQA Business Studies for AS by Marcouse, I, Gillespie, A, Surridge, M, Brewer, M, Watson, N, Birchall, N and Hammond, A, Hodder Education, 2008 (ISBN 9780340958643)
AQA Business Studies for A2 by Marcouse, I et al, Hodder Education, ISBN 9780340973578 (to be published April 2009)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Do your courses meet the latest syllabus changes?
A. yes, all our course materials meet any changes and will be updated free of charge if further changes are made.
Q. Why do I have to find a centre myself?
A. We have students all over the UK and Europe and it is impossible for us to arrange dates and times for individual students.
Q. What if I cannot find an examination centre in my home town?
A. If you wish to gain the qualification then be prepared to travel it is worth it!
Q. How much are exam fees?
A. These vary from centre to centre so please check with your local centre.
Q. Are the courses paper based or on-line?
A. All our cour