IB Business Management

Applications Open: Now

Applications Close: 27 February 2026

Entry Requirements: - 5 GCSE's 4 or above including English and Maths

How to Apply

Internal students - Please apply via Applicaa using this link - https://skinnerskentacademy.applicaa.com/year12

External students - Please apply via KentChoices using this link - https://www.kentprospectus.co.uk/login. Please note - after sending your application, you'll receive a welcome email from Applicaa asking for further information.

The course is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of business management theories, as well as their ability to apply a range of tools and techniques. Students learn to analyse, discuss and evaluate business activities at local, national and international levels. The course covers a range of organisations from all sectors, as well as the socio-cultural and economic contexts in which those organisations operate.

The course encourages the appreciation of ethical concerns at both a local and global level. It aims to develop relevant and transferable skills, including the ability to: think critically; make ethically sound and well-informed decisions; appreciate the pace, nature and significance of change; think strategically and to undertake long-term planning, analysis and evaluation. The course also develops subject-specific skills, such as financial analysis.

Candidates are required to study five topics:

• Business organisation and environment

• Human resource management

• Finance and accounts

• Marketing

• Operations management

The aims of the Business Management course at HL and SL are to:

1.encourage a holistic view of the world of business

2.empower students to think critically and strategically about individual and organizational behaviour

3.promote the importance of exploring business issues from different cultural perspectives

4.enable the student to appreciate the nature and significance of change in a local, regional and global context

5.promote awareness of the importance of environmental, social and ethical factors in the actions of individuals and organizations

6.develop an understanding of the importance of innovation in a business environment.

Syllabus Outline

Unit 1: Business organization and environment

Unit 2: Human resource management Unit

Unit 3: Finance and accounts

Unit 4: Marketing

Unit 5: Operations management

External assessment for HL and SL students consists of two written examination papers. Paper one is based on a pre-seen case study issued in advance, and paper two consists of structured questions based on stimulus material and an extended response question that assesses students’ understanding of the key concepts of the course. Internal assessment for HL students is a research project and for SL students a written commentary. In both tasks, students study real world business organizations. These are internally marked by subject teachers and then externally moderated by IB examiners.

General Entry Requirement for The Skinners’ Kent Academy Sixth Form

Minimum of GCSE grade 4 (G4) in English and Mathematics plus 3 other GCSEs at grades 9-4

Subject specific minimum entry requirements are:

Business Management: G5 English and G5 Mathematics

Taken in combination with other subjects and depending on the student's pathway of study this course can lead to higher education and/or apprenticeships.