NCEA Level 3 Business Studies

'Entrepreneurship is about turning what excites you in life into capital so that you can do more of it and move forward with it'

Richard Branson

The study of business is about how individuals and groups of people organise, plan, and act to create and develop goods and services to satisfy customers.

Content – Students form a company, undertake market research, produce a business and marketing plan, present a pitch on their business idea, sell their good or service and then review their success. Students also analyse how and why New Zealand businesses that operate in global markets make operational and strategic decisions.

Skills – Students gain knowledge and understanding of good business practice through fostering qualities of resilience, resourcefulness and initiative. Skills are developed in problem solving, co-operation, decision making, negotiation, and written and oral communication.

Students in this course will be entered into the Young Enterprise Scheme (YES). This is an experiential programme where students set up and run a real business. Each YES company creates their own product or service and brings this to market. YES students are supported by a Regional Coordinator, a business mentor and their local business community.

As this course requires students to work as part of a team, there is an obligation to maintain a high level of attendance for teams to function effectively.

Level 3 Business Studies gives students the opportunity to work collaboratively in small teams to design, plan and implement a viable business project. This will involve formation, production planning, finance, human resource management and marketing. Students completing this course will be well placed to demonstrate to prospective employers that they have the ability to work effectively in a team and accomplish a desired outcome. Getting a 'foot on the ladder' will give them the opportunity to demonstrate these skills and gain promotion into managerial positions. Alternatively students can progress through polytech or university and gain further business management qualifications.