Click below to jump to the course information:

Standard Grade Accounting and Finance

General and Credit levels only

What’s in the Course ?

There are five units in this course:

Personal Finance
Accounting for Sole Traders
Accounting for Partnerships
Accounting for Clubs
Accounting for Public Limited Companies

This is a very numerate subject, requiring good ability in dealing with figures – accuracy is very important

What will I do?

A variety of activities – some are practical, eg word processing reports, and using the computers for making spreadsheets and charts. Other activities will be paper-based, preparing accounts and identifying profits.

How will I be assessed?

After Christmas in fourth year, you will have a practical project – this is based on a business which you must provide financial guidance for. This represents a third of your overall grade.

The other two thirds of your overall grade are made up from the two skills assessed in the final exam at the end of fourth year - Knowledge and Understanding and Handling Information.

Will I get homework?

Homework is part of the course, and is issued regularly – usually once per week.

Where can I get more information?

Ask a member of the Department – Ms Robertson or Mrs Black

Back to top

Standard Grade Administration

What’s in the Course?

There are 2 Areas of Study:

Administrative Support, including:

organisation of businesses
reception services
mail handling
security of information
filing
travel arrangements
meetings

Information and Communications Technology, including:

communications
voicemail, internet
email, fax, etc
databases
file management
spreadsheets
word processing

What will I do?

This is a very practical course – you will use various software packages, access the Internet, use email, electronic diary, fax machine, scanners etc – all in the context of the modern office. Word processing is part of the course, and you will be encouraged to use the keyboard effectively.

There is also a lot of Knowledge and Understanding to learn, and to master this element you will be involved in work with textbooks, group work, class discussions and presentations.

How will I be assessed?

After Christmas in fourth year, you will have a computer-based practical project. This represents a third of your overall grade – Practical Abilities.

The other two thirds of your grade are made up from the two skills assessed in the final exam at the end of fourth year - Knowledge and Understanding and Problem Solving.

Will I get homework?

Homework is part of the course, and is issued regularly – usually once per week.

Where can I get more information?

Ask a member of the department – Ms Robertson or Mrs Black

Back to top

Intermediate 1 Accounting and Finance

Entry Requirements

No previous knowledge required

Course Content

The Course consists of 3 Units, as follows:

Recording Financial Transactions

Double Entry Book-keeping, Trial Balance, Petty Cash, Bank Reconciliation Statements

Preparing Final Accounts

Trading Profit and Loss Accounts, Balance Sheets, Partnership Accounts, Club Accounts

Analyse and Interpret Accounting Data

Break-even analysis, Cash Budgets, Ratio analysis

Teaching Methods/Materials

Course work will consist of practical computational exercises, with considerable use of spreadsheet analysis. Some internal assessments will be completed on computer.
Mini-project work will also be undertaken.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which lasts 1 hour 30 minutes

Homework

Homework will be given every week

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Intermediate 2 Accounting and Finance

Entry Requirements

Intermediate 1 or Standard Grade 3 or 4

Course Content

The Course consists of 3 Units, as follows:

Financial Accounting

Manufacturing Accounts, Final accounts of a Public Limited Company, Final accounts of a Partnership, Cash flow statements

Management Accounting

Budgets, Overhead analysis and job costing, Process costing, Absorption/Marginal costing

Using Accounting Information

Break-even analysis, Decision making, Ratio analysis

Teaching Methods/Materials

Course work will consist of practical computational exercises, and extended response questions. Spreadsheet analysis will be used where appropriate, and can be used for some of the internal assessments. Mini-project work will also be undertaken.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which lasts 2 hours

Homework

Homework will be given every week

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Higher Accounting and Finance

Entry Requirements

Intermediate 2 or Standard Grade 1 or 2

Course Content

The Course consists of 3 Units, as follows:

Financial Accounting

Manufacturing Accounts, Final accounts of a Public Limited Company, Final accounts of a Partnership, Cash flow statements

Management Accounting

Budgets, Overhead analysis and job costing, Process costing, Absorption/Marginal costing

Using Accounting Information

Break-even analysis, Decision making, Ratio analysis

Teaching Methods/Materials

Course work will consist of practical computational exercises, and extended response questions. Spreadsheet analysis will be used where appropriate, and can be used for some of the internal assessments. Mini-project work will also be undertaken.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which lasts 2 hours 30 minutes

Homework

Homework will be given regularly, usually including one essay-type question per week

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Intermediate 1 Administration

Entry Requirements

No previous knowledge required but any knowledge of computing would be a good starting point

Course Content

The Course consists of 3 Units, as follows:

Word Processing

Business letters, Memoranda, Itineraries, Minutes, Agenda

Information Technology Office Applications

Spreadsheet analysis, Database, Fax, Email, Voicemail, Electronic diary

Administrative Support

Personal performance and work flow, Health , safety and security, Sources and uses of information, Travel and accommodation, Meetings

Teaching Methods/Materials

This is a very practical course – you will spend a lot of time on the computers, improving your keyboarding skills and using a range of software applications and equipment. Communications technology is also a major part of the course, with regular access to Internet, CD-ROMs, Email and Fax. Textbooks and interactive CD-ROMs simulations are also available for the more theoretical aspects of the course.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which is a mixture of practical and theoretical tasks. This is completed on computer. The exam lasts 1hour and 45 minutes

Homework

Homework for the theory aspects of the Course will be given regularly

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Intermediate 2 Administration

Entry Requirements

Intermediate 1, or Standard Grade 3 or 4. Any knowledge of Computing would be a good starting point.

Course Content

The Course consists of 3 Units, as follows:

Word Processing

Business letters, Memoranda, Itineraries, Minutes, Agenda

Information Technology Office Applications

Spreadsheet analysis, Database, Fax, Email, Voicemail, Electronic diary

Administrative Support

Personal performance and work flow, Health , safety and security, Sources and uses of information, Travel and accommodation, Meetings

Teaching Methods/Materials

This is a very practical course – you will spend a lot of time on the computers, improving your keyboarding skills and using a range of software applications and equipment. Communications technology also plays a major part of the course, with regular access to Internet, CD-ROMs, Email and Fax. Textbooks and interactive CD-ROM simulations are also available for the more theoretical aspects of the course.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which is a mixture of practical and theoretical tasks. This is done on computer. This exam lasts 2 hours.

Homework

Homework for the theory aspects of the Course will be given regularly

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Higher Administration

Entry Requirements

Intermediate 2, or Standard Grade
Administration 1 or 2

Course Content

The Course consists of 2 Units, as follows:

Administrative Services

Work planning, Administrative procedures, Planning and organising meetings, travel and accommodation

Information Technology and Management

Role of information in decision-making, Current
legislation, Business software for problem-solving, Current technology developments

Teaching Methods/Materials

This is a very practical course – you will spend a lot of time on the computers, improving your keyboarding skills and using a range of software applications and equipment. Communications technology also plays a major part of the course, with regular access to Internet, CD-ROMs, Email and Fax. Textbooks and interactive CD-ROM simulations are also available for the more theoretical aspects of the course.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which is a mixture of practical and theoretical tasks. This is done on computer. This exam lasts 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Homework

Homework for the theory aspects of the Course will be given regularly

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Intermediate 2 Business Management

Entry Requirements

Intermediate 1 or Standard Grade 3 or 4,
or a good award at Int 2 English

Course Content

The Course consists of 2 Units, as follows:

Business Enterprise

Business enterprise and entrepreneurs, Business as a dynamic activity, IT in business, Decision making, SWOT analysis.

Business Decision Areas

Organisational structures, Marketing, Finance,
Human Resources, Operations.

Teaching Methods/Materials

A wide range of resources and teaching methods will be used. External speakers, videos, CD-ROM simulations, use of IT, eg Internet, and textbooks will all play a part. This is a participative subject and class discussion of contemporary issues will be encouraged. Answering of both interpretative case study and extended essay questions will be undertaken.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which lasts 2 hours. This consists of a Case Study and essays.

Homework

Homework will be given regularly, usually including one essay-type question per week

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Higher Business Management

Entry Requirements

Intermediate 2, Standard Grade 1 or 2, or a good award in Higher English

Course Content

The Course consists of 2 Units, as follows:

Business Enterprise

Business enterprise and entrepreneurs, Business as a dynamic activity, IT in business, Decision making, SWOT analysis

Business Decision Areas

Organisational structures, Marketing, Finance, Human Resources, Operations

Teaching Methods/Materials

A wide range of resources and teaching methods will be used. External speakers, videos, CD-ROM simulations, use of IT, eg Internet, and textbooks will all play a part. This is a participative subject and class discussion of contemporary issues will be encouraged. Answering of both interpretative case study and extended essay questions will be undertaken.

Assessment

Internal assessments are completed at the end of each Outcome

In addition, you will sit an external exam which lasts 2 hours 30 minutes. This consists of a Case Study and essays.

Homework

Homework will be given regularly, usually including one essay-type question per week

Further information

For further information on this or any Business Studies courses you have a choice of sources:
• any member of the Business Studies Department, (Rooms 57, 58)
• from the Business Studies Senior Course Booklet (available from the Department)

Back to top

Advanced Higher Business Management

Entry Requirements

In order to study Advanced Higher Business Management you need to have passed Higher Business Management.

Course Content

This Course consists of 2 Units:

The Management Context (40 hours). This includes:

• The Current Business Environment - globalisation, e-commerce, business ethics, EU.
• Management of Organisations - approaches to management, teams, leadership styles.
• Organisational Change – driving and restraining forces, approaches to managing change, organisational culture.

Business Investigation (80 hours). This includes:

• Assess a business situation – markets, objectives, decision-making process, stakeholders, SWOT.
• Propose a strategy – eg for the development of the business.
• Review the strategy – eg information used, implementation plan, strengths and weaknesses.
• Assess personal effectiveness – process of the investigation, eg time management, meeting targets.

This investigation will be based on a real business of your choice and is similar to a project.

Assessment

The final exam is based around a case study and lasts 2.5 hours.

Further Information

For more details speak to Ms Robertson in the Business Studies Department.

Back to top