Accredited Level 3 Diploma in Business Consultancy

) to build on knowledge, understanding and skills gained at that level. Or simply starting from a point of wanting to enhance professional skills.

• The course encourages students to develop the critical, analytical and evaluative skills which will enable them to either go on to Higher Education to study a wide range of management courses, including: accounting, personnel, Law, logistics and many others.

This course consists of Ten Units and is a qualification awarded by Oxford Learning College, in its own right; with the quality assurance of a leading awarding body (CIE/ABC) that hallmarks this professional qualification.

Assessment Objectives (AO)
AO: 1

Students must select and demonstrate clearly relevant knowledge and understanding through the use of evidence, examples and correct language and terminology appropriate to the course of study. In addition, for synoptic assessment, students should demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the connections between different elements of their course of study. This assessment, involves two written assignments: one halfway through the course and following the final unit. Both are assessed and graded by the assigned tutor, according to college procedures.

AO: 2

Students must critically evaluate and justify a point of view through the use of evidence and reasoned argument. In addition, for synoptic assessment, students should relate elements of their course of study to their broader context and to aspects of career and experience.

In addition, OLC require students’ to produce written material in English, candidates must: ensure that text is legible and that spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPG) are accurate so that meaning is clear; select and use a form and style of writing appropriate to studying a complex subject matter; organise information clearly and coherently, using specialist vocabulary when appropriate and Harvard referencing of citation and sources. In this Specification, SPG will be assessed in all tutor marked assignments (TMAs)

To ensure that we maintain quality standards; all our students written assignments are subject to our plagiarism policy and procedure.

Key Features

OLC offer the opportunity to study Business Consulting as a professional level 3 validated diploma course. The student will learn and/or review the many aspects of business management and training; be able to apply and use that gained knowledge in most business sectors.

This course has several features:

• To develop an understanding of business consultancy as a growth sector
• To treat the subject as a professional discipline, providing the academic knowledge, understanding and skills appropriate for specialist study.
• To teach students an enquiring, reflective and critical approach to the study of business management and its many aspects.
• To encourage students to reflect on their own professional business practice, the norms, perceptions, values and opinions in the light of their study.

COURSE CONTENT

The whole level three diploma has TEN (10) specific units of study, which are sub-divided into topic areas these are:

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Consultancy.

In this unit, student will learn the many and varied popular concepts that form the basis for business consultancy. This will include: types of business consultants; training or advice; features of good practice; professional accreditation/accountability; brands; tools and acumen.

Unit 2: The Business of Consultancy and Advisory Services

The unit explores how businesses consultancy and advisory services have evolved; many of which have until recently been a key feature of local authorities and other public bodies to attract and procure new employers to their locations. What are the codes of conduct, accreditation arrangements, training and other features of, good consultancy practice.

Unit 3: Effective Stakeholder Management

The unit considers the ‘stakeholders’ in the consultancy process. From the business owner; funder; customer; market; shareholder; local enterprise; accreditation assessor; training provider – how does a consultant manage this conundrum successfully?

Unit 4: Key Consultancy Skills

This unit helps the student understand the different skill sets needed to be a successful business consultancy. This will include: good communication skills; interpersonal interaction skills; proven knowledge of the sector; good research skills; time management; risk/crisis management skills and skilled trainer/assessor. These and more are explored.

Unit 5: Managing Project Assignments

The ‘day to day’ management of an assignment is crucial. It will require the good skills noted in unit 4. But, an assignment can never be, one model fits all; as every assignment even if the system is the same; the people and business will not be. We explore the many and varied complexities of successful assignments.

Unit 6: Planning Consultancy Assignments

The first rule of being a good consultancy is to plan and even review assignment plans before beginning. This starts with a ‘strong assignment proposal well costed time-framed and risk assessed. This unit explores successful planning.

Unit 7: Data Collection and Analysis

The crucial tool during the first stages of consultancy is to gather information to support or guide the required reason for being on the assignment. Therefore, a good triangulation of methods of data collection is important to provide strong evidence. The unit will explore the wider concepts of ‘good research’.

Unit 8: Effective Report Writing Skills

The usual conclusion of an assignment is the presentation of the findings/recommendations; answering the client’s reasons for using the services of a consultant. Therefore, both written presentations skills are, a key aspects, to this closure process. In this unit students will learn about good reporting skills.

Unit 9: Making Client Presentations

Building on unit 8; this unit explores how to make good presentations to the client. These are frequently to a group or, a full conference room – therefore, the consultant needs to be professional and able to use many different mediums: ICT; Workshop; Seminar and even Conference Calling! This unit will explore good presentation skills.

Unit 10: Rational Persuasion

In this final unit we explore one last and important feature. From starting an assignment to its ultimate conclusion; the consultant will constantly be in persuasion mode. This crucial tool is one that most professional consultants will hone as they develop their client base. The student will learn the ‘know how’ and art of rational persuasion. The unit concludes with an overview of the course.

ASSESSMENT

The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.

Assignments

The course has TWO Tutor Marked Assignment (TMA); which are graded: Pass or Fail.

Study Hours (Per Unit)

Approximately: One Hundred and Twenty (120) hours of personal study time, which is supported by the ODL