IGCSE Business Studies
The IGCSE Business Studies course is an ideal first step on the way to a career in business. Learning about
business starts with a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles and a grasp of just what's involved
in setting up and developing a business. Public and private sector, not-for-profit companies and sporting
organisations are all areas that rely on sound business learning. Employers look for business skills: master
them and you have a valuable step up for a new or existing business career.
Overview
In the IGCSE Business Studies course you will learn what makes business tick. You'll discover the issues that
need to be considered when setting up, and the roles that marketing, human resources and financial planning
play in its initial success. In addition, you'll learn about the day to day operations of business and explore the
techniques and methods available for successful management.
As you progress in learning about business basics, you'll use the terminology, concepts and methods of
business effectively and be able to recognise the strengths and limitations of these ideas.
Throughout the business course you will use a critical approach to distinguish between facts and opinion and
evaluate qualitative and quantitative data to help build arguments and make informed judgements.
By the end of the IGCSE Business Studies course you will be able to appreciate the range of different
stakeholder perspectives in relation to business activities. Knowing these fundamentals can have a very real
effect on your prospects for a career in business.
Entry requirements
You don't need any previous experience or qualifications to enrol in our IGCSE Business Studies course. That's
because we believe in making home study - and a rewarding future - as accessible as possible.
Career progression
An IGCSE in Business Studies will give you vital skills that can lead onto A Level and further studies in Business
Studies, and could lead to a career in one of its associated fields. If you want to enter or progress in
employment, you'll find your IGCSE Business Studies will demonstrate to employers that you have the ability to
commit to learning, and have acquired good reasoning and analytical skills - essential in practically every walk
of life.
Why choose ICS Learn?
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Online learning approach – We provide you with unlimited tutor support, online course materials,
learning activities and past papers.
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Expert tutor support – Tutor contact by phone, email and via the online Student Community. Your tutor
provides you with academic support and answers any queries you may have regarding your course
including its content and assessments.
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Flexibility – Study when it suits you, progress as quickly as you want.
Looking for more information?
Call our expert Course Advisors on: 0800 015 3326 or email: hs.enquiry@icslearn.co.uk
Support when you study with ICS Learn
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You will have online access to our Student Community where you will find useful study resources and you
will be able to test your new skills through online activities. You will also be able to chat with other IGCSE
Business Studies students on your course.
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Importantly, your Course Tutor will be keeping an eye on your progress during your IGCSE Business
Studies programme. They will feedback on your assessments and be available to answer any queries
you may have via email, phone and via the Student Community.
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Our Student Services team are also here to answer any non-academic questions throughout your studies .
Course content
This course prepares students for the Edexcel IGCSE Business Studies syllabus (4BS0)
Business Activity and the Changing Environment
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This unit covers the various objectives of a business, changing business environments and criteria for
judging success. The focus is on the importance of having clear business objectives and how the
business environment provides opportunities for, and imposes constraints upon, the pursuit of these
objectives.
Human Resources
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This unit looks at people in organisations, focusing on their roles, relationships and management in
business. You will focus on the importance of internal organisation and understand the functions of key
departments, analysing their relationships and interdependence. The focus will also be on understanding
the roles and responsibilities of employees in terms of compliance and accountability.
Accounting and Finance
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This unit explores the use of accounting and financial information as an aid to decision making. The focus
is on understanding the main types of internal and external sources of finance for business organisations
and the factors which influence the decision to use a particular source of finance in a given situation. You
will be able to understand the purpose and content of the trading account, the profit and loss account
and the balance sheet, and how the financial information they provide can be used to assess business
performance.
Marketing
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This unit focuses on identifying and satisfying customer needs in a changing and competitive
international environment. The focus will be on understanding the terms: market, market orientation,
product orientation, marketing, market segments, market share and market research, and analysis of the
role that each plays in the identification and satisfaction of customer needs in a changing and
competitive market. The unit will also cover the main elements of the marketing mix and how they
combine to satisfy customer needs in a changing and competitive environment.
Looking for more information?
Call our expert Course Advisors on: 0800 015 3326 or email: hs.enquiry@icslearn.co.uk
Production
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This unit examines the way organisations use and manage resources to produce goods and services.
The focus of the unit is on understanding how production, cost and decision making are related. The unit
will also cover areas such as economies of scale, methods of production, productivity and quality. By the
end of the unit you will be able to understand the term productivity and the methods and technology
which can be used to increase it.
Course code
G57
Exam Information
The exams for IGCSE Business Studies are during the May/June exam sessions each year.
ICS Learn provide all the learning support throughout your studies. We are a ‘Learning Provider’; however we
are not an examination centre. To gain your IGCSE Business Studies qualification, you will need to arrange to
sit the examinations as a private candidate.
Your course covers the content from the Edexcel IGCSE Business Studies syllabus (4BS0).
What you need to do regarding your exams
At least 6 months before your exam, you will need to take the following steps:
Looking for more information?
Call our expert Course Advisors on: 0800 015 3326 or email: hs.enquiry@icslearn.co.uk
Step 1: Find an exam centre
Find a local Edexcel registered centre that will allow you to take the exams as a private or external candidate.
This must be in the UK.
Edexcel registered centres are usually schools and colleges within the UK that are already presenting ‘internal’
candidates (please note that you cannot be entered as an internal and a private candidate at the same exam
centre, during the same exam period). It is at the sole discretion of each centre whether they will accept private
candidates or not.
Usually the best approach is to contact a school or college in your local area, especially if you have a
relationship such as being an ex pupil or it being your child's school, etc. The centre may be inclined to accept
you, even if broadly, their policy is not to accept private candidates.
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An alternative would be to approach private tutorial colleges, private schools and faith schools, which are
more flexible in terms of accepting private candidates.
You can find out more information on the Examinations page of the ICS Learn Website.
Edexcel have a list of approved centre’s who may accept private candidates on their website.
If there are no schools or colleges showing in your area, you should still try contacting your local schools and
colleges. If you have any sort of relationship or history with a school or college then try that one first. Not all
centres will accept private candidates.
Step 2: Provide the centre with syllabus information
Once you have found a centre, they will need the following information from you:
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The syllabus you are sitting: Edexcel IGCSE Business Studies syllabus (4BS0).
Step 3: Sitting your exams
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Once you have booked the examination and confirmed the syllabus details, speak to your tutor and let
them know, so they can provide you with the right guidance for the syllabus you will be sitting the exams
for.
Looking for more information?
Call our expert Course Advisors on: 0800 015 3326 or email: hs.enquiry@icslearn.co.uk
Assessment information
The table below outlines the assessments for the Edexcel IGCSE Business Studies syllabus (4BS0).
IGCSE Business Studies (4BS0)
Number of papers
One written paper
Tier entry
The examination is untiered, so question papers are designed to be accessible
to candidates of all abilities.
Weighting of papers
Paper 1: 100%
Structure of papers
Paper 1: The Paper is divided into two sections (Sections A and B).
Content of the papers
Section A:
o This section will consist of questions targeted mainly or exclusively at
knowledge, understanding and application.
Section B:
o This section will consist of questions targeted mainly or exclusively at
selection, analysis and evaluation
Timing of papers
Paper 1: 2 hours
o Section A: 1 hour
o Section B: 1 hour
Paper codes
Paper 1: 4EB0/01
Availability
June each year.
Examinations fees
The costs of your examinations are not included in your course fees.
Examination fees will vary, with private schools and colleges being more expensive than your local state
schools, but you should be aware that examination fees could be in the region of £80-£150 per paper.
Course fees
Please see our website for current prices.
You can either pay for your course in full or speak to our course advisors about our monthly payment plans.
Looking for more information?
Call our expert Course Advisors on: 0800 015 3326 or email:
hs.enquiry@icslearn.co.uk