Syllabus Cambridge IGCSE® Business Studies 0450

[Pages:30]Syllabus Cambridge IGCSE? Business Studies 0450

For examination in June and November 2020, 2021 and 2022. Also available for examination in March 2020, 2021 and 2022 for India only.

Version 2

Why choose Cambridge?

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Contents

1 Why choose this syllabus? .................................................................................................... 2

2 Syllabus overview .................................................................................................................... 5

Aims

5

Content overview

6

Assessment overview

7

Assessment objectives

8

3 Subject content ......................................................................................................................10

4 Details of the assessment ...................................................................................................22

Paper 1 ? Short Answer and Data Response

22

Paper 2 ? Case Study

22

Command words

23

5 What else you need to know ............................................................................................. 24

Before you start

24

Making entries

25

After the exam

26

How students and teachers can use the grades

26

Grade descriptions

26

Changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022

27

Changes to this syllabus

For information about changes to this syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022, go to page 27. The latest syllabus is version 2, published October 2017. There are no significant changes which affect teaching. Any textbooks endorsed to support the syllabus for examination from 2015 are still suitable for use with this syllabus.

Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

1 Why choose this syllabus?

Key benefits

Cambridge IGCSE? syllabuses are created especially for international students. For over 25 years, we have worked with schools and teachers worldwide to develop syllabuses that are suitable for different countries, different types of schools and for learners with a wide range of abilities. Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies is accepted by universities and employers as proof of an understanding of business concepts and techniques across a range of different types of businesses. Learners will be able to: ? understand different forms of business organisations, the environments in which businesses operate and

business functions such as marketing, operations and finance ? appreciate the role of people in business success. They will also gain lifelong skills, including: ? the ability to calculate and interpret business data ? communication skills needed to support arguments with reasons ? the ability to analyse business situations and reach decisions or judgements. Our programmes balance a thorough knowledge and understanding of a subject and help to develop the skills learners need for their next steps in education or employment. Our approach encourages learners to be:

Cambridge learner

`The strength of Cambridge IGCSE qualifications is internationally recognised and has provided an international pathway for our students to continue their studies around the world.'

Gary Tan, Head of Schools and CEO, Raffles International Group of Schools, Indonesia

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Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Why choose this syllabus?

Recognition and progression

The combination of knowledge and skills in Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies gives learners a solid foundation for further study. Candidates who achieve grades A* to C are well prepared to follow a wide range of courses including Cambridge International AS & A Level Business.

Cambridge IGCSEs are accepted and valued by leading universities and employers around the world as evidence of academic achievement. Many universities require a combination of Cambridge International AS & A Levels and Cambridge IGCSEs or equivalent to meet their entry requirements.

UK NARIC, the national agency in the UK for the recognition and comparison of international qualifications and skills, has carried out an independent benchmarking study of Cambridge IGCSE and found it to be comparable to the standard of GCSE in the UK. This means students can be confident that their Cambridge IGCSE qualifications are accepted as equivalent to UK GCSEs by leading universities worldwide.

Learn more at recognition

`Cambridge IGCSE is one of the most sought-after and recognised qualifications in the world. It is very popular in Egypt because it provides the perfect preparation for success at advanced level programmes.'

Mrs Omnia Kassabgy, Managing Director of British School in Egypt BSE

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Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Why choose this syllabus?

Supporting teachers

We provide a wide range of practical resources, detailed guidance, and innovative training and professional development so that you can give your learners the best possible preparation for Cambridge IGCSE.

Teaching resources ? School Support Hub

support ? Syllabus ? Scheme of work ? Learner guide ? Discussion forum ? Resource list ? Endorsed textbooks and digital resources

Training ? Face-to-face workshops around the world ? Online self-study training ? Online tutor-led training ? Cambridge Professional Development

Qualifications

Exam preparation resources

? Question papers ? Mark schemes ? Example candidate responses to understand

what examiners are looking for at key grades ? Examiner reports to improve future teaching

Support for Cambridge

IGCSE

Community

You can find useful information, as well as share your ideas and experiences with other teachers, on our social media channels and community forums.

Find out more at social-media

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Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022.

2 Syllabus overview

Aims

The aims describe the purposes of a course based on this syllabus.

The aims are to enable students to: ? apply their knowledge and critical understanding to current issues and problems in a wide range of business

contexts ? make effective use of relevant terminology, concepts and methods, and recognise the strengths and limitations

of the ideas used in business ? distinguish between facts and opinions, and evaluate qualitative and quantitative data in order to help build

arguments and make informed judgements ? appreciate the perspectives of a range of stakeholders in relation to the business environment, individuals,

society, government and enterprise ? develop knowledge and understanding of the major groups and organisations within and outside business, and

consider ways in which they are able to influence objectives, decisions and activities ? develop knowledge and understanding of how the main types of businesses are organised, financed and

operated, and how their relations with other organisations, consumers, employees, owners and society are regulated ? develop skills of numeracy, literacy, enquiry, selection and use of relevant sources of information, presentation and interpretation ? develop an awareness of the nature and significance of innovation and change within the context of business activities ? acquire a foundation for further study of business or other subjects.

Support for Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies

Our School Support Hub support provides Cambridge schools with a secure site for downloading specimen and past question papers, mark schemes, grade thresholds and other curriculum resources specific to this syllabus. The School Support Hub community offers teachers the opportunity to connect with each other and to ask questions related to the syllabus.

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Cambridge IGCSE Business Studies 0450 syllabus for 2020, 2021 and 2022. Syllabus overview

Content overview

1 Understanding business activity

This section introduces the underlying ideas and concepts of business and includes the purpose and nature of business activity and how businesses can be classified. Enterprise and entrepreneurs, and why some businesses grow while others remain small are further important issues. How business size can be measured, types of business organisation, business objectives and stakeholder objectives are the concluding topics.

2 People in business

The focus is the functional area of human resources and includes the importance and methods of motivating a workforce. How businesses are organised and managed and the methods of recruitment, selection and training of employees are also considered. Finally, the section covers the importance and methods of effective internal and external communication.

3 Marketing

This section includes the role of marketing, the distinctions between niche and mass markets and the techniques of market segmentation. The methods and importance of market research are covered. The central role of the marketing mix, i.e. the four Ps, is made clear. Marketing strategies to influence consumer decisions at home and in new foreign markets are the final topics in this section.

4 Operations management

The focus is the functional area of production and includes the meaning and methods of production and how productivity can be increased. The different costs of production and break-even analysis are covered. The section concludes with the importance and methods of achieving quality in the production process and location decisions of businesses.

5 Financial information and decisions

This finance and accounting section covers the need for and sources of business finance, cash-flow forecasting and working capital. Simple income statements are covered as well as statements of financial position and the analysis of accounts including why and how accounts are used.

6 External influences on business activity

This section focuses on different external influences on business activity and how these impact on a business. It includes government influences on economic, environmental and ethical issues and how they impact on the functional areas of businesses. In addition, the international economy including globalisation and its effects on businesses and governments, multinational businesses and exchange rates are important issues. Legal constraints are an external influence to be considered but these influences are covered in the relevant functional areas above, as well as in this last section.

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