Accredited Level 3 Diploma in Business Studies

) 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 working experience.

Quality of Written Communication (QWC)

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 Administration as a professional level 3 validated diploma course. The student will learn and/or review the many aspects of business administration; be able to apply and use that gained knowledge in most business sectors.

This course has several features:

• To develop an understanding of business administration theory
• 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 administration 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: Starting a business.

In this unit, student will explore how a business idea, grows to being a fully functioning business. The processes involved, the commitment, foresight and hindsight that is, business acumen.

Unit 2: Financial Planning

The unit explores how businesses are financed: the types of capital sources; how forecasting and control sets boundaries; maintaining financial accounts, budgeting and accountability.

Unit 3: Finance

The unit continues to build on the themes of unit two. Once a business is established; what are the key aspects of good financial practice: accounting; income and expenditure; manual or computer controlled; responsibilities – taxation, VAT and rent/mortgage; banking and much more.

Unit 4: The people in business

This unit helps the student explore people or personalities in business. Managing human resources; recruitment, accountability, appraisal, training, structures, discipline are just some of the aspects that will be considered.

Unit 5: Operational management

The ‘day to day’ management of a business is its “operation”. How do you move from a product/service provision to the delivery/sale of the unit of production/service? Measure the success/failure of the product/service being presented to the customer/client? This unit explores the importance of crucial administrative management of this process.

Unit 6: Marketing and competitive marketing

A business in a growing diverse economy ultimate goal is to sell/provide its products/services. This unit explores the importance of strong marketing strategy; research and product/service placement – the USP – Unique Selling Point; but essentially the price of that product/service.

Unit 7: Marketing strategies and operational management

The crucial collaboration between marketing and operational management is the maker or breaker of that business. However, large or small a business may be, it is crucial to have clear strategy that brings these two aspects together. This unit explored the importance of this collaborative partnership through good administration.

Unit 8: Human Strategies, Financial Strategies & Managing Accounts

Whatever the size or shape of a business; through its administration the necessity to ensure continuity between the human and physical resources, the financial strategies is crucial. This unit explores the middle ground of business those areas of: accountability: legal, financial and wellbeing.

Unit 9: The business Environment

This unit explores the very nature of business – its environment. Each business setting will have impact both internally and externally. These can be large or small depending on the business sector/industry. We explore how: legal; environmental, social; technological and ethical impact in successfully managing business.

Unit 10: Managing Change

In this final unit we explore how managing change has become a core focus for all businesses. Change happens, but in business the way change is managed is crucial. We explore the changing nature of business, theories and strategies that are currently ‘in vogue’ and those that have fallen away. In a 21st century business, we explore why managing change is a continuous discipline for business entrepreneurs in all sectors.

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. 1 at the end of Units 5 & 10.

Study Hours (Per Unit)

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