Business Studies
Young people are growing up in a globalised and dynamic world. New opportunities and challenges will emerge in their lifetimes that are virtually unimaginable today. Developing technologies, environmental and societal challenges, demographics, global competition and changing consumer demand will drive these changes.Studying business helps to equip students with the understanding, skills and attitudes to participate fully in an interconnected world.
Business studies encourages students to develop an appreciation of how their lives are shaped by economic and social factors. They are enabled to make informed decisions, to better manage their personal financial resources and to be adaptable, creative, and enterprising. Business studies also improves their knowledge and understanding of good business practice and of business as a productive activity
First year students choose from a range of subjects, of which Business Studies is one. They continue to study the subject for their Junior Cycle Profile of Achievement. The Junior Cycle Business Studies course is assessed in 4 manners, 2 classroom based assessments, 1 assessment task and a terminal examination conducted by the state examinations comission in June of 3rd year of the Junior Cycle.
CBA 1 is entitled Business in Action. Business in Action gives students an opportunity to actively engage in a practical and authentic learning experience that reflects activities undertaken regularly in the business environment. They will act as consumers, entrepreneurs, managers and decision-makers as they plan and conduct research, analyse data and information, problem-solve and make decisions, use digital technology to manage information, and take action
CBA 2 is entitled Presentation. This Classroom-Based Assessment has two priorities: to give students the opportunity to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding to real-life settings, and to develop their communication skills. The Presentation allows students to: develop their self-awareness as learners; to evaluate evidence and reflect on their values; to demonstrate how they can communicate competently using a range of tools prevalent in the business environment; and to make considered decisions and recommendations.
Students complete a written Assessment Task to be submitted to the State Examinations Commission for marking as part of the state-certified examination for Business Studies. It will be allocated 10% of the marks used to determine the grade awarded by the State Examinations Commission. The Assessment Task is directly related to the nature and focus of the second Classroom-Based Assessment, the Presentation, where the knowledge and skills developed by students emerge from their investigation, growing awareness of and presentation of a topic related to the business environment.
The terminal examination that takes place at the end of 3rd year is a 2 hour paper, set by the State Examinations Comission. This paper seeks to assess the skills developed over the 3 years of Junior Cycle, to determine the students knowledge, understadning and ability to apply the principles of Business Studies to new and unseen contexts. It is allocated 90% of the marks used to determine the grade awarded by the State Examinations Commission.
Transition year students study Business as part of the TY programme. During the TY year students usually study one semester of Business, one semester of Accountancy and one semester of Economics. Leaving Certificate students can also study Business Studies.
