Sixth Form Business & Economics Courses

Introduction to OCR AS and A2 Applied Business

This is a new broad-based qualification in Applied Business that offers students:

A chance to achieve an AS and A2 qualification by choosing either the Single or the Double award The chance to acquire a broad range of business skills through the study of authentic business contexts The ability to interact with the business environment allowing students the opportunity to experience authentic business practices A range of units designed to provide a progression route to higher education and further training for employment

AS Units to be studied include:

• Marketing - create your own product or service and research its potential
• Recruitment – learn all about how to get a job from the advertisement to the interview
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• Business Environment – learn about the economy, finance and the business world
• Customer Services – find out how to treat your customers well and keep them loyal
• ICT in Business – keep up with the latest technology in business
• Financial Products & Providers – find out how to run your finances and find the best deals

A2 Units to be studied include:

• Strategic Decision Making – how to plan ahead and be a proactive manager
• Business Plan for the entrepreneur – a plan for your first million!
• Promotion in Action – how to persuade people to buy your product/service
• Financial Strategy – look after the finances of your business and plan for the future
• E-commerce Strategy - create an e-commerce website for a business
• Risk in the Workplace – learn about how to deal with physical and strategic risks

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ECONOMICS

Introduction to AQA Economics

To study Economics in the Sixth Form you are not expected to have any previous knowledge of the subject but you should have a keen interest in current affairs. The course will provide you with an appropriate foundation for further study of Economics or related subjects in Higher Education. Economics graduates are employed in many fields including finance, industry, politics, journalism and the media. It is also a worthwhile course in terms of your general education because it will provide you with a good understanding of economic policy and issues which affect everyday life: should the UK have the Euro currency; how can the standard of living be improved in developing countries and why are interest rates so important?

Aims

The course aims to enable candidates to develop the following:

• An understanding of economic concepts and theories through a critical consideration of current economic issues, problems and institutions that affect everyday life;
• The ability to apply economic concepts and theories in a range of contexts and to ppreciate their value and limitations in explaining real world phenomena;
• The ability to analyse, explain and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the market economy and the role of the government within it.

Content

• Markets and Market Failure (demand and supply, production, government intervention)
• The National Economy (performance of the UK Economy, government policy objectives and instruments, how the economy works)
• Markets at Work (housing, the environment and the economics of sport and leisure)
• Working as an Economist (coursework or a case study on the European Union)
• Business Economics and the Distribution of Income (theory of the firm, the labour market and government intervention)
• Government policy, the National and International Economy (growth of the economy, inflation and unemployment, the international economy)

The first three modules listed here form the AS, with the latter forming the A2. The broad and multi-disciplinary nature of economics makes it ideal for helping you to develop academic skills further and is a useful blend of arts, humanities and science in its approach. Business students will also find that several of the modules provide information that will be helpful for their course.

The course is assessed by means of examinations at the end of each year. You will have the option of completing coursework instead of taking an examination paper at the end of Module 4 in A2.

Each AS examination consists of multiple choice questions and a data response. For A2, there is a case study examination paper or coursework for one module and data response question/essay papers for Modules 5 and 6.

You will be assessed on your ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of economics, the ability to apply this knowledge and critical understanding to economic problems and issues, your analysis of economic problems and issues and the ability to evaluate arguments and evidence, thus making informed judgements.

Approach

When you opt for AS/A2 Economics you are expected to keep abreast of current affairs. This requires self-motivation to read newspapers as well as watching the news regularly. You will develop and demonstrate good time management skills and complete work to deadlines. The insight that you will gain into research, analysis and evaluation will be invaluable whichever path you choose to take at the end of the course.