Course end dates for legacy GCSE Business suite (J253, J213, J226, J230)

OCR’s suite of GCSE Business qualifications is changing as part of the government reform of general qualifications. Our GCSE Applied Business (Single Award) (J213), GCSE Applied Business (Double Award) (J226), GCSE Business Studies (J253) and GCSE Business and Communication Systems (J230) qualifications are being withdrawn and will have their final assessment opportunity in June 2018. This is due to the development of our new GCSE (9–1) in Business (J204), available for first teaching in September 2017 and first assessment in June 2019. 

Our GCSE (9–1) Business qualification provides a dynamic, contemporary and exciting opportunity for young people to engage with the world of business and prepare to make informed decisions about future study and career pathways. Students will learn about issues and challenges facing entrepreneurs and commercial organisations including familiar businesses that young people can relate to. Our clear specification is carefully structured into 6 main topic areas and each topic is exemplified with ‘points to include’ so you know the level of detail required. Straightforward assessment consists of 2 exams of 1 hour and 30 minutes each with succinct stimulus material that draws on real businesses. 

Alternatively, you may be interested in our new Level 1/2 Cambridge National in Enterprise and Marketing (J819), which is also being developed for first teaching in September 2017. This qualification allows learners to develop their enterprise and marketing skills in a practical way, with two teacher-assessed units, alongside a knowledge based externally examined unit. We expect this qualification to be awarded performance points by the Department for Education (DfE) as part of a broad key stage 4 curriculum. It also will enable progression to A-levels or Level 3 vocational qualifications, such as our Cambridge Technicals, or Apprenticeships. For further details please see the new qualification page on the OCR website.

The final assessment opportunity for the current qualifications will be June 2018. There will not be a resit opportunity for these qualifications. A summary of the changes can be seen in the table below:

For further information on deadlines for submitting entries, entry amendments/withdrawals and the submission of marks for internal assessment please see the administration area of the website.

If you have any queries about this notice, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email business@ocr.org.uk.