Business BTEC Level 3

Business BTEC (Level 3)

BUSINESS

BTEC National Award, Certificate and Diploma (Edexcel)

Campus: Cheadle and Marple

(02.10.08)

Course outline

It is a vocational broad based qualification that provides knowledge and understanding of this vocational area. You will examine how the different parts of businesses work and what factors influence their decisions and activities.

Year One:

In the first year you, you will study for the BTEC National Award which is equivalent to 1 A level. This includes 4 Core Units and 2 Specialist Vocational Units. The Core Units cover Business Activity, Business Resources, Marketing and Communication.

Year Two:

In the second year, you then study to achieve a BTEC National Certificate equivalent to 2 A levels. This involves 1 further Core Unit and 5 Specialist Vocational Units. The Specialist Units cover Health and Safety, Ethics, Finance and Business Enterprise.

It is also possible to study for a BTEC National Diploma which is equivalent to 3 A levels. This course would be studied over two years and is primarily for students who want to focus their studies in the area of Business. Students study 18 units over the two year course.

Students take the course because they are interested in and want to learn more about:

current business practice and how businesses make decisions

functions of business organisations such as finance, marketing, operations management etc

Most importantly because you enjoy coursework assessment as opposed to exam based assessment.

Entry requirements

At least 4 GCSEs at grade C or above (including English Language or Maths) OR a MERIT at BTEC First (Intermediate) Level plus 1 other GCSE at grade C.

A willingness to collect, organise and interpret information to produce a portfolio of work.

The ability to work independently and to meet deadlines.

How you will learn

Well-qualified, highly experienced and enthusiastic Business Studies tutors will teach you. You will learn through a wide range of learning activities including class discussions, group presentations, business role-play, business visits, work experience and individual research. This will be complemented by one-to-one tutorials to support coursework assessment.

How you will be assessed

All assessment is coursework based. Students produce a portfolio of work that is internally and externally assessed.

The coursework is based on using information collected through the research of business organisations. You will study a Core Unit of Business Enterprise which is based on developing a business idea and producing a business plan. Students are also expected to undertake work experience (some of which can be arranged in EU nations).

Anyone at any age can take BTEC National Business as long as the appropriate entry-level qualifications are reached. It is particularly suitable for students that have studied vocational courses at school.

Other complementary subjects

BTEC National Business fits well with a wide range of additional subjects; typical combinations include: Economics, European Studies, IT, Law, Politics, Psychology, Sociology, and Media Studies.

What you can do after this course

BTEC National Business sufficiently prepares you for further study in the subject at higher education or for a career in any area of business.

Other useful information

It is not necessary for you to have studied GCSE Business Studies.

For further information please contact

Anna Handford (Head of Subject Vocational Business).