Intermediate course in Business and ICT (BST-I)

Intermediate course in Business and ICT (BST-I)

Course Description
Who is the Intermediate course in Business and ICT suitable for?
You need to have a genuine interest in Business and ICT. You may be interested in working in business and developing the necessary ICT skills. Alternatively, you may see your future in ICT and need to develop your knowledge of what businesses will need. The course is ideal for students who enjoy a practical, work-related approach to their learning. It will be important to be organised, motivated and able to work as part of a team as well as on your own. You will need to be able to meet deadlines because you will be assessed through your assignments - there are no exams. From this course you can move onto Applied A levels in either Business or ICT, other A Levels or employment.

What will I learn on this course?
You will gain a broad understanding of the worlds of business and ICT and the ever-closer relationship between them. There will be opportunities to apply learning in practical, realistic ways and follow a programme which enables progression towards both HE and employment within business. You will be able to develop your Key Skills, which are highly valued by universities and employers and gain confidence in developing independent learning skills.

What are the qualifications equivalent to?
You will study two BTEC First Certificate courses. Each of these is equivalent to two GCSEs grades A*-C.

Qualification Structure
The BTEC First Certificate course in Business and the BTEC First Certificate course for ICT Practitioners both consist of:

· One compulsory unit

· Two specialist units

Each unit has a number of learning outcomes which you must show you have met. You do this through completing assignments which are set and marked by your teachers. So that your course reflects working environments as much as possible it is likely that assignments will include role plays or spoken presentations as well as written projects.

Compulsory units
For the Business course the compulsory unit is Exploring Business Purposes . This provides an introduction to what businesses are, how they work and what they do.

For the ICT Practitioners course the compulsory unit is Using ICT to Present Information. This examines different types of documents, software, how to review your work and how to communicate effectively.

Specialist Units
Each course has two further specialist units which will help you use what you have learned in specific contexts. These may include marketing, website development, finance or using computer systems.

There will be work experience opportunities, visits to business organisations and speakers who have developed their careers in business or ICT.

Wider Learning
You will also be expected to take GCSE English and /or GCSE Maths if you do not already have a grade C in either of these subjects. There will be opportunities for you to take part in the College's enrichment programme.

What will I be able to do at the end of my course?
Successful completion of the Intermediate course in Business and ICT offers you several routes for progression:

· Progress to Applied A Levels in either Business or IT

· Progress to other A Levels

· Progress to other vocational courses offered locally

· Progress to further training in employment

Entry Requirements
· At least four to five GCSEs (average 'C/D' grades) preferably including English and Mathematics.
· A genuine interest in Business and ICT.
In addition you must have a National Record of Achievement or a good school report which demonstrates that you have good organisational skills and that you can meet deadlines.
The entry qualifications for the Intermediate course in Business and ICT are quite flexible and each applicant is considered very much on their individual merit.