Business Studies

BTEC Nationals Level 3 Extended Certificate (AAQ)

Examination Board: Edexcel

Course Leader: Mrs M Tollhurst 

Contact Email: mtollhurst@tgschool.net

Are you interested in:

  • How the economy, political decisions, social trends, and technology impact on business?

  • Setting up a business of your own?

  • Understanding why businesses make the decisions they do?

  • Learning more about finance and financial decision making?

What Will I Study?

Businesses are all around us, with the majority of people working for or running their own business at some point in their lives. The AAQ Business course is designed to provide an insight into the world of business and will enable students to develop a holistic appreciation for business concepts and strategy.

Year 12:

•  Exploring business (internal assessment, 90 guided learning hours, 70 marks).

•  Business environment, organisations, structures and stakeholders and the markets they inhabit.

•  Personal and business finance (external 2 hour exam, 120 guided learning hours,100 marks).

•  Accounting processes and principles for both personal and business finance and evaluating business accounts and documentation.

Year 13:

•  Developing a marketing campaign (external 3 hour supervised assessment, 90 guided learning hours, 70 marks).

•  Markets, market research, market segmentation and techniques such as marketing mix.

•  Recruitment and selection process (Internal assessment, 60 guided learning hours, 50 marks).

•  The recruitment process, through from application to shortlisting, interviews and selection.

Qualification:

BTEC National / AAQ Level 3 Extended Certificate equivalent to one A-Level.

Additional Entry Requirements:

Grade 5 in GCSE Maths and English or Grade 5 in GCSE Business Studies.

Assessment:

During Year 12, students will Explore a Business and complete three internal pieces of coursework and complete an external exam on Personal and Business Finance. 

Throughout Year 13, students will undertake an external assessment on Developing a Marketing Campaign and complete their studies with two internal pieces coursework on Recruitment and Selection.

Leading to futures in:

Many AAQ Business students go on to study at university, including reading business related subjects such as finance and marketing. Advanced apprenticeship programmes are also a popular option for those completing this course. Careers in finance, marketing, human resources, management and other ‘business related’ areas are all possibilities for students.

Please Note:

Some assessments in Business are through written assignments so this will aid you in developing your ability to write clearly and succinctly. The coursework requirements encourage much evaluation and analysis of subject knowledge and particular business scenarios. Exam units encourage recall and application of the knowledge gained in class. This will develop important thinking skills and provide a greater understanding of processes in businesses as well as personal interaction.

Department Staff

Mrs M Shaw (MSH) Head of Business