A mere five years ago, tuition for iGCSE subjects like Economics, Business Studies and IB Economics, Business Management was almost unheard of. Fast forward to today, with the growing popularity of International Baccalaureate programmes in Singapore, more students have sent in requests for tuition for subjects like IB Business Managements and iGCSE Business Studies.
A recent survey conducted revealed that The Business Studies IGCSE and International Baccalaureate Business Management, are increasingly becoming two of the popular and (pragmatic) humanities courses that some international students tend to gravitate towards. The survey conducted amongst international schools students in Singapore (Canadian International School, Australian International School, United World College, Tanglin Trust, Overseas Family School, Dulwich College). Some students who choose Economics or Business studies often cite it as a highly practical humanities subject that widen their world view and give them good insights to how the real world operates compared to traditional humanities like geography and history.
On the other spectrum, GCE O’levels offers Economics and Business Studies only at few selected schools like Outram Secondary and Temasek Secondary. Students taking the O’level pathway in Singapore has to choose a humanities subject to major in when they approach the end of secondary two. Most schools will offer social studies and another humanities (like history, geography, literature and accounting) as an elective for students to choose. The subjects available will range from factors like school’s chosen niche or if the school has enough teachers that can teach that subject. The choice of doing Business Studies or Economics as electives are very rare, most secondary schools student end up taking subjects like geography and history.
What do students learn in Business Studies?
In IGCSE Business Studies, students will be exposed to the fundamentals of business topics that will helps them develop their critical understanding of organisations, the markets they serve and the process of adding value. This will involve consideration of the management of organisations and in particular the process of decision-making in a dynamic business world.
Students will also study business behaviour from the perspective of different stakeholders including customers, managers, shareholders and employees. Students will be aware of the economic, environmental, ethical, legal, social and technological issues associated with business activity. Business Studies draws on a variety of disciplines which are interrelated.
How will students be assessed?
Paper 1 – Short answers and structured data responses (1 hour 30 minutes) 50% of final marks.
Paper 2 – Four questions based on a case study (1 hour 30 minutes) 50% of final marks.
Although Business Studies may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but few can deny that it is a rather pragmatic humanities subject. If you have already chosen iGCSE Business Studies as your major, you can reach out to our strong team of Business Lecturers and Tutors from international schools that can help you succeed. Our iGCSE Business Studies tuition are available online and face-to-face, do contact us here.
