Exam Board Pearson Edexcel
Course Code 4BS1

Course Overview

Business Studies gives students a practical understanding of how businesses start, grow, and succeed. The course explores marketing, operations, finance, and human resources, using real-world case studies to develop commercial awareness and decision-making skills.

Students learn to interpret data, evaluate options, and communicate recommendations clearly skills that are highly valued in today's global economy.

Course Content

Theme 1: Investigating Small Businesses

  • Enterprise and entrepreneurship
  • Business aims and objectives
  • Stakeholders and external influences
  • Marketing: market research, segmentation, and the marketing mix
  • Finance basics: sources of finance, break-even, cash flow

Theme 2: Investigating Large Businesses

  • Growth strategies and globalisation
  • Operations: production methods, quality assurance, supply chain
  • Human resources: recruitment, training, motivation, organisational structures
  • Advanced finance: income statements, balance sheets, ratio analysis
  • Strategic decision-making and risk management

Skills Developed

  • Analytical thinking and problem-solving
  • Data interpretation and financial calculations
  • Communication and presentation skills
  • Understanding of economic and business environments

Assessment

  • Paper 1: Investigating Small Businesses — 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks, 50%
  • Paper 2: Investigating Large Businesses — 1 hour 30 minutes, 80 marks, 50%

Both papers use real or realistic business case studies and include short-answer, data-response, and extended writing questions.

Why Choose This Subject?

  • Builds essential skills for careers in business, finance, and management
  • Encourages entrepreneurial thinking and commercial awareness
  • Provides a strong foundation for further study in business-related fields

Progression Routes

  • A-level Business Studies or Economics
  • BTEC Level 3 Business for applied learning
  • University courses in Business, Management, Marketing, Finance, and related disciplines

Subject Lead

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