GCSE Business Studies

• The purpose and nature of business
• Business ownership
• Setting business aims and objectives
• Stakeholders
• Business location
• Business planning
• Expanding a business

• Technology
• Ethical and environmental considerations
• The economic climate of businesses
• Globalisation
• Legislation
• Competitive environment

• Production processes
• The role of procurement
• The concept of quality
• Good customer services

• Organisational structures
• Recruitment and selection of employees
• Motivating employees
• Training

• Identifying and understanding customers
• Segmentation
• The purpose and methods of market research
• The elements of marketing mix: price, product, promotion, and place

• Sources of finance
• Cash flows
• Financial terms and calculations
• Analysing the financial performance of a business

You will have up to one year to complete your GCSE Business Studies course from the date you receive your materials.

With this course, you will have the flexibility to study at your own pace, and your only deadlines are the GCSE exams, which typically take place during the summer exam period (May/June).

This course will be studied entirely via distance learning, meaning you will complete your learning either from home or a place that suits you. Full tutor support will be available via email, so if you have any questions or need some guidance, your tutor will be here to help. Your course materials will include a series of self-assessment exercises and tutor-marked questions to allow both yourself and your tutor to monitor your progress.

The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:

• Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials.
• Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer, tablet, or smartphone.

To achieve your GCSE Business Studies qualification, you must complete the exams. There are two written exams for this course which will cover the topics studied on this course. A breakdown of the exam papers can be found in the following section.

When you enrol on your course, you will have the option to add your exams to your enrolment, or you can select the course-only option.

Choosing to add the exams package

If you choose to add your exams on to your enrolment, all you need to do is contact us when you are ready to sit your exams, we will book and pay for them on your behalf. Please note that the GCSE exam timetable typically takes place during May and June each year. You are advised to contact us well in advance of when you intend to sit your exams so that we can confirm your place with the exam board – cut-off dates apply.

Please note, our GCSE exam centre locations for this course are as follows:

• Birmingham
• Bristol
• Coventry
• Doncaster
• Bolton
• Wimbledon
• Taunton
• St Neots, Cambridgeshire
• High Wycombe
• Romford

The course-only option

If you do not add your exams to your enrolment, you will be responsible for booking and paying for your exams yourself. If you select this option, you must source and liaise with your chosen exam centre in order to book your exams, Open Study College will not be able to book your exams for you. In this instance, you are advised to contact AQA exam centres well in advance of their intended exam dates, as cut-off dates sometimes change.

Upon successful completion of your exams, you will be awarded GCSE Business Studies qualification issued by AQA.

After completing this course, you can develop your knowledge further by progressing to studying the subject at A Level, or an alternative level 3 route.

This course will also benefit those looking to expand their business knowledge to enhance their career prospects or knowledge.

The knowledge and skills acquired during this course are transferable and highly applicable to careers in business management, marketing, economics, and human resources.