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Disclaimer
The author of the following content, Stephen Keery, is not associated with the Council for the
Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment (CCEA) or any post-primary establishments. Stephen
holds a BA (Hons) in Business Management Studies from Liverpool John Moores University and
has been a Learning and Development many years and has contributed extensively to
Entrepreneurial, Princes Trust and the Young Enterprise programmes in various roles and at various
levels. As a part-time lecturer at the Ulster University Business School, Stephen has combined his
expertise and experience to support students at various stages of their education. The following
content is designed to support and answer the most common questions and methods students ask
for, providing clear, practical guidance based on his extensive background in both teaching and
business.
Unauthorised duplication, copying, or sharing of this material is strictly prohibited without prior
written consent.
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Foreword
The CCEA GCSE Business Studies qualification offers a fantastic opportunity to enhance your
cross-curricular skills in communication, using mathematics, and using ICT. You’ll engage in group
discussions, interpret charts, and analyse financial information, both online and offline, developing
practical skills that will be invaluable in real-world situations.
In addition, the course helps you build thinking skills and personal capabilities, such as self-
management, working with others, and problem solving. Whether you're working on group projects
or tackling individual tasks, like the controlled assessment, you'll strengthen these essential skills,
preparing you for success in both your academic and future career pathways.
This is more than just a qualification – it's a pathway to developing key life and work skills in an
engaging and supportive environment!
Course Structure
The CCEA GCSE Business Studies course is organised into three key units:
• Unit 1: Starting a Business
This unit introduces the fundamentals of setting up a business, including key topics such as
marketing, business operations, and the roles of stakeholders in a business.
• Unit 2: Developing a Business
This unit focuses on the growth and development of a business, exploring essential areas
like human resource management, business expansion strategies, and financial
management.
• Unit 3: Planning a Business
As a synoptic unit, this ties together all the content from the course, giving students the
opportunity to apply their knowledge in a real-world business scenario. This unit is
assessed through controlled assessments.
Unauthorised duplication, copying, or sharing of this material is strictly prohibited without prior
written consent.
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Assessment
• Units 1 and 2:
Both units are assessed through external written exams, each contributing 40% towards the
final grade.
• Unit 3:
This unit involves a controlled assessment, contributing 20% towards the final grade.
Controlled Assessments
Students will complete specific tasks under controlled conditions, which assess their ability to
research, analyse, and present findings in a business context.
• Guided Learning Hours: 120
• Qualification Level: 1/2
Learning Objectives
The course aims to:
• Develop students’ understanding of business operations.
• Enhance critical thinking and decision-making skills.
• Enable students to apply their knowledge in various business contexts.
Students will engage with:
• Real-world business scenarios to connect theory with practice.
• Ethical considerations in business decisions.
• The impact of technology on modern business practices.
Unauthorised duplication, copying, or sharing of this material is strictly prohibited without prior
written consent.
