Overview

IGCSE Business → introduction, functional basics, external influences.

AS Business → same functional areas, but with more theory depth and application.

A Level Business → adds strategic analysis, advanced financials, and global/long-term decision-making.

Modules

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies (0450)

6 Key Topics (examined across 2 papers):

1. Understanding Business Activity

• Business purpose, objectives, enterprise, stakeholders
• Business organisation, types of business, growth

2. People in Business

• Recruitment, training, motivation
• Organisation structures, leadership, and communication

3. Marketing

• Market research
• Marketing mix (4Ps)
• Marketing strategy

4. Operations Management

• Production of goods/services
• Productivity, quality, lean production
• Location decisions

5. Financial Information & Decisions

• Sources of finance
• Cash flow forecasting, income statements, and balance sheets
• Profitability and liquidity ratios

6. External Influences on Business Activity

• Government & economic influences
• Ethical & environmental issues
• Globalization, legal controls

Assessment:

• Paper 1 (Short-answer/structured) – 50%
• Paper 2 (Case study-based) – 50%

Cambridge AS Level Business (9609) – Year 1

Core Content (6 units, same as A Level but only studied in part):

1. Business & Its Environment

• Enterprise, objectives, stakeholder needs
• Business structure, size, and growth

2. People in Organisations (Human Resources)

• Management, leadership, and motivation theories
• HR planning, recruitment, training, and appraisal

3. Marketing

• What is marketing?
• Market research, demand/supply
• Marketing planning, mix (4Ps, services marketing)

4. Operations & Project Management

• Efficiency, lean production
• Quality management
• Capacity, project management basics

5. Finance & Accounting

• Costing, break-even, budgets
• Accounts, profitability & liquidity ratios
• Finance sources

6. Strategic Management (intro level for AS)

• Business objectives & strategy basics

Assessment (AS):

• Paper 1: Short answers + essays (1h15, 40%)
• Paper 2: Data response (1h30, 60%)

Cambridge A Level Business (9609) – Full (AS + A2)

In A2 (Year 2), students build on AS with advanced/strategic content:

1. Business & Its Environment (extended)

• Business strategy, planning tools
• Corporate social responsibility, ethics, and sustainability
• Globalization, multinational businesses

2. People in Organisations (HR advanced)

• Workforce planning, labor productivity
• Industrial/employee relations
• Strategic HR management

3. Marketing (advanced)

• Global marketing
• Niche vs mass marketing strategies
• International branding & positioning

4. Operations & Project Management (advanced)

• Innovation, R&D
• Capacity management
• Operations strategies (outsourcing, location, lean supply chain)

5. Finance & Accounting (advanced)

• Investment appraisal (NPV, IRR, payback, ARR)
• Ratio analysis (efficiency, gearing)
• Strategic financial management

6. Strategic Management (core A2 focus)

• Business decision-making
• Corporate planning tools (SWOT, PEST, Ansoff, Porter’s, decision trees)
• Risk management & uncertainty
• Change management

Assessment (A Level):

• Paper 1 (AS): Short answer/essay
• Paper 2 (AS): Data response
• Paper 3 (A2): Case study (2h, 50% of A2)
• Paper 4 (A2): Essay (1h15, 50% of A2)