Slide 1
Business Management HL
- IB Diploma Programme — lead change in a global marketplace.
- Two-year IB Diploma · 2027–2028 · first assessed 2024
- Australian International Academy, Strathfield
- Group
- Group 3 — Individuals and Societies
- Level offered
- Higher Level (HL)
- Teaching hours
- HL: 240 hours
- IB syllabus
- Current DP syllabus, first examined 2024
Course description
Business management is designed to develop students’ knowledge of business content, concepts and tools to support business decision-making, exploring the interdisciplinary concepts of creativity, change, ethics and sustainability from a business perspective. Students examine how internal and external factors influence business decisions and how these decisions impact a range of stakeholders.
Emphasis is placed on strategic decision-making and the operational business functions of human resource management, finance and accounts, marketing, and operations management.
Course structure
- Unit 1: Introduction to Business Management
- Unit 2: Human Resource Management
- Unit 3: Finance and Accounts
- Unit 4: Marketing
- Unit 5: Operations Management
- Business Management Toolkit (applied throughout)
Students who should consider this course
This course suits students planning further study or careers in business, management, entrepreneurship, finance, marketing, human resources or economics, and those who enjoy applying analytical tools to real-world organisational problems.
Assessment at a glance
| Component | Weighting % |
|---|---|
| Paper 1 — Pre-released case study (external) | 25 |
| Paper 2 — Unseen stimulus, quantitative focus (external) | 30 |
| Paper 3 — Unseen stimulus, social enterprise (external) | 25 |
| Business research project (internal) | 20 |
External examinations
External assessment consists of three written papers based on pre-released and unseen case study material, sat in the November session. The internally assessed business research project investigates a real business issue or problem using a chosen conceptual lens.
Subject presentation
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Business Management HL — Subject Selection 2026 for the two-year IB Diploma 2027–2028 (Business Studies Department).
Text transcript of the slides (12 slides)
Slide 2
Business Management is booming
- One of the fastest-growing subjects in the IB Diploma Programme worldwide — 40,867 candidates in May 2026, up from around 3,000 in 2005 (IB sessional statistics, thinkib.net, 2026).
- Nearly two in three candidates (65%) now study Business Management at Higher Level.
Slide 3
What the course aims to build
- Lead as a change agent — develop as a confident, creative and compassionate business leader, entrepreneur or social entrepreneur.
- Think ethically and sustainably — build an informed understanding of ethical and sustainable business practice.
- Connect people and business — explore the connections between individuals, businesses and society.
- Master decision-making — engage with decision-making as both a process and a practical skill.
Slide 4
Four concepts that drive it
- Creativity — new ideas and innovative solutions to real business problems.
- Change — understanding and managing constant change in a dynamic world.
- Ethics — weighing right and wrong in business decisions.
- Sustainability — balancing profit with people and planet.
Slide 5
Your course at a glance — 240 hours at HL
- Unit 1 Introduction to Business Management — 20h
- Unit 2 Human Resource Management — 35h
- Unit 3 Finance and Accounts — 45h
- Unit 4 Marketing — 35h
- Unit 5 Operations Management — 45h
- Business Management Toolkit — 35h · Paper 1 research time — 5h · Internal Assessment — 20h
- Higher Level studies 90 hours more than Standard Level (150 hours).
Slide 6
The five units
- Introduction — what is a business? Objectives, stakeholders, growth and multinational companies.
- Human Resource Management — structure, leadership, motivation, culture and employee relations.
- Finance and Accounts — sources of finance, accounts, ratios, cash flow and investment appraisal.
- Marketing — planning, market research, the seven Ps and international marketing.
- Operations Management — production methods, quality, location, break-even and crisis management.
Slide 7
HL goes deeper — 90 extra hours
- Organisational (corporate) culture · industrial and employee relations · debt/equity ratio analysis · budgets · sales forecasting · international marketing · lean production and quality management · production planning · crisis management and contingency planning · research and development · management information systems.
- HL-only extension topics build the extra depth examiners expect at Higher Level — and give you a genuine edge for business, economics or commerce at university.
Slide 8
What you’ll be assessed on
- AO1 Knowledge and understanding — business tools, theories, topics and HL extension content.
- AO2 Application and analysis — apply and analyse tools and theories using real business data.
- AO3 Synthesis and evaluation — weigh stakeholder interests to reach and justify informed decisions.
- AO4 Use of skills — research, interpret sources and communicate findings like a real analyst.
Slide 9
How you’re assessed
- Internal (20%) — Business Research Project: a 20-hour independent research project investigating a real business issue or problem facing a real organisation, explored through one of the four concepts. You choose the business and the issue.
- External (80%) — 4 hours 30 minutes across three papers.
- Paper 1 — pre-released statement leading to an unseen case study — 1h 30 — 25%.
- Paper 2 — unseen stimulus, quantitative focus — 1h 45 — 30%.
- Paper 3 — unseen stimulus, a social enterprise — 1h 15 — 25%.
- Sample Paper 3 question: “Recommend a possible plan of action to ensure the sustainability of SML for the next five years.”
Slide 10
Where it can take you
- Global business and trade · finance and investment · entrepreneurship and social enterprise · marketing and brand strategy · management consulting · human resources and leadership · international relations · economics and data analysis.
- Recognised by universities across 160+ countries — a genuinely global pathway into business, commerce or economics degrees.
Slide 11
Is Business Management HL for you?
- You enjoy analysing real, unseen case studies rather than memorising facts.
- You’re comfortable combining data and numbers with strategic thinking.
- You’re curious about global business, social enterprise and sustainability.
- You want a qualification recognised by universities worldwide.
- You’re ready for a demanding, discussion-based course that stretches your English and analytical skills.
Slide 12
Choose Business Management HL
- Start your IB Diploma journey in 2027.
- Australian International Academy · IB Diploma Programme