Wellington College Belfast Co-educational Grammar School
Business Studies

Business Studies and Economics are stimulating subjects to study and increase students' knowledge and critical understanding of the world in which we live. Students will also have opportunities to develop a range of skills.

By studying these subjects students will have access to a wide range of further learning opportunities and career choices. They are well placed for careers in business, finance, government services and professions such as teaching and law.

During their courses students will have the opportunity to participate in a range of learning experiences.

In 2008/09 students had the opportunity to:

• Participate in The Belfast Telegraph's Rensburg Share Challenge
• Take part in The Big Idea Workshop (We won this competition in 2007/08)
• Attend and participate in CCEA AS Workshop
• Visit Aunt Sandra's Candy Factory
• Listen and question visiting speakers

In recent years we have also visited:

• Tyrone Crystal in Dungannon
• The Tayto Factory in Tandragee
• The Mars Factory in Berkshire
• London Stock Exchange
• Houses of Parliament in London
• Stormont
• The Odyssey

GCSE Business Studies

Specification: GCSE Specification in Business Studies

Examining Board:         CCEA

COURSE CONTENT

Business Studies helps students understand more about how and why businesses operate in the way that they do. Students are able to relate what they study to everyday activities, such as purchasing goods, and the news reported in the media.

Business Studies can open up a wide range of opportunities for further learning. As well as developing students knowledge and understanding of the world of business, this course helps students develop a range of skills such as decision-making; interpreting and managing information; and devising solutions to problems and issues.

Business Studies gives students access to a wide range of further learning opportunities and career choices. Students with business qualifications are well placed for careers in business, fiance, government services and professions such as teaching and law. 

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

GCSE ECONOMICS

Specification: GCSE Specification in Economics

Examining Board: CCEA

COURSE DESCRIPTION

Studying a course based on this specification gives students opportunities to engage with a wide range of important issues. For example:

• What is the real cost of alcohol and tobacco consumption?
• What causes house, food and feul prices to rise and fall?
• Why do some people earn so much more than others, and are such differences justified?
• What should be the most important priorities for government economic policy?

Economics provides students with a tool kit of concepts, ideas and skills. This allows them to critically investigate and to analyse problems, evaluate information and evidence, and arrive at reasoned conclusions and judgements.

Economics gives students access to a wide range of futher learning opportunities and career choices. It combines well with other social sciences and the humanities, with foreign lanaguages, with mathematics and sciences and with vocational subjects such as engineering, manufacturing and business. Students with economics qualifications are well placed for careers in business, finance, government services and professions such as teaching and law.

ASSESSMENT STRUCTURE

AS and A2 Business Studies       

Awarding Body:         CCEA

The GCE Business Studies specification contributes to an understanding of business and enterprise and helps students develop many of the skills and attitudes required for employment.

Through studying these modules, students will:

• gain an insight into the world of business;
• gain understanding of organisations and their ability to meet society's needs and wants;
• learn how to develop enterprising and creative solutions to business problems and issues;
• become aware of the ethical dilemmas and responsibilities faced by organisations and individuals; and
• acquire a range of skills including: decision making; problem solving; the ability to quantify and manage information; and the ability to challenge assumptions.

Business Studies equips students with the knowledge and skills for careers in area such as Marketing, Retail, Banking and Finance, Accountancy, Human Resources, E-commerce.

Students will study 2 modules in Year 13 (AS1 and AS 2) and 2 in Year 14 (A2 1 and A2 2).

AS and A2 Economics

Awarding Body:         CCEA

The GCE Economics specification will help students gain an insight into some of the major issues facing society today. It will encourage students to:

• develop an interest and enthusiasm for the study of economics;
• appreciate the subject's contribution to the understanding of the wider economic and social environment;
• develop an understanding of a range of concepts and an ability to use these concepts in a variety of different contexts;
• use an enquiring, critical and thoughtful approach to the study of economics and an ability to think as an economist; and
• develop skills, qualities and attitudes that will equip them for the challenges, opportunities and responsibilities of adult and working life.

Students of Economics develop a host of practical and transferable skills that benefit them in education and in the world of work. These include critical investigation, analytical thinking, oral and written communication, numeracy, research, ICT and handling of data. What's more, the potential earnings for students with a degree in Economics are among the highest for all graduates, and there are currently shortages of qualified economists.

AS Economics is divided into two units: AS 1 and AS 2. Students following the A Level course must complete the two AS units and study two further units: A2 1 and A2 2.

Mrs P Allen (HoD)
Mr M McFarland