This course enables students to acquire the knowledge, understanding and relevant business skills which will equip them with what they need to start in work or go onto further education or training. This is because it is a vocational award. ‘Vocational‘ means that the qualification is not just a classroom based study of business, it is ‘work related’. This means that the students are likely to go on a work placement, visit different businesses and hear talks from visiting speaker's the course will enable them to acquire the knowledge and develop many of the skills that they will need in a business career. This should make it easier for them to get a job.

In addition, the GCSE in Applied Business is a double award, in other words, it is the equivalent of two GCSEs. Like any other GCSE students will be given a grade at the end of the course, based on an A* to G scale. Because the award is a double award they will receive a qualification which is equivalent to two GCSEs.

Learning Outcomes and Assessment

This GCSE is divided into three units studied over two years.

Unit 1: Investigating Business

This unit investigates different types of business, what they do and how they work. It also looks at all the outside pressures that businesses have to deal with, such as coping with legal requirements and protecting the environment.

This unit is assessed by a portfolio assignment investigating two different businesses.

Unit 2 - People and Business

This unit is about people. It involves an investigation into the issues relating to employers and employees, disputes, training, applying for jobs and dealing with customers.
This unit is assessed by a Portfolio assignment investigating one large business.

Unit 3 - Business Finance

This unit is about money. It deals with financial documents, financial records, making payment, the need to plan and budget and the process of applying for finance.
This unit is assessed by an external practical examination.