There are 6 mandatory units covering the key concepts of business:
| Unit | Topic |
|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Exploring Business |
| Unit 2 | Developing a Marketing Campaign |
| Unit 3 | Personal and Business Finance |
| Unit 4 | Managing an Event |
| Unit 5 | International Business |
| Unit 6 | Principles of Management |
| Opitional Units | Recruitment & Selection or Creative Promotion |
All topic areas are studied in the context of real-life businesses. The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business is equivalent to 2 A levels. Students who complete the first year of this course will achieve a BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate which is equivalent to 1 A level.
You will need a minimum of five GCSE subjects at grade 4 or above including English and Maths, or the equivalent.
Your GCSE subject profile is likely to include some subjects that have required you to research from books and articles and to write reports and give presentations.
Some of you will have done GCSE or BTEC in Business, but many will not. It is not necessary to have done it and we teach as if you are all starting from scratch. If you have done the GCSE you will probably be more confident with the terminology and some of the concepts, but don’t think you know it all!
| Assessment | Moderation | % |
|---|---|---|
| Written exam & tasks | External moderation | 45% |
| Coursework | Internal moderation | 55% |
There are 8 units of work which comprise a written exam, 2 written tasks assessed by the exam board and 5 units of coursework which are assessed by us and moderated by the board.
At the end of the course, you will achieve an overall grade of Pass, Merit or Distinction which equates to E, C or A at A level.
You will be given guidance on what you need to do to support your class-work but you can help your progress and understanding to give yourself a better chance of a high grade if you get into good habits and do some background work.
A good deal can be achieved by reading newspapers, magazines and watching the News. You don’t need great detail, but you will find articles every week about takeovers, new products, competition in markets, Europe and other issues which affect businesses. Read headlines and skim through articles to get a feel for what is going on. Look at adverts wherever they appear, look at packaging in the shops, look at product design and new products being sold.
Ask yourself how it all relates to the business involved and why they might be doing it. Get a ‘feel’ for what is going on in the business world so that it all fits together when you come to look at it in the classroom.
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business will provide the opportunity to develop your skills in numeracy, communication and IT as well as improving your study, presentation and research skills.
In addition to external assessments, which includes exams (approx. 45% of the course) you will produce a ‘portfolio’ of work. This will consist of a variety of written assignments as well as some verbal assessments such as presentations, radio interviews and group discussions that demonstrate your knowledge and skills and form the basis for the assessment of your grades.
You will encounter a wide variety of approaches, tasks and exercises. You will get your basic knowledge and understanding through a combination of class notes, articles, newspaper research, videos, T.V. and practical exercises.
Housed in modern classrooms and offices with fully equipped computer suites, the working environment is as good as you will find anywhere in the college. Enthusiastic staff in this Grade One department will help you enjoy your learning and progression. Business BTEC students achieve excellent grades and progress to a wide range of university destinations.
The teaching is undertaken using a variety of approaches designed to suit different abilities and learning styles. We pride ourselves on the work we do with individual students enabling them to manage their own learning and develop strategies to overcome any difficulties they may have as well as stretching those with high academic ability.
Visits, trips and speakers are built into the course and we run activities such as share games to give you the opportunity to consider real business situations. We work hard with you and enjoy what we do and we hope that you will too.
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business is widely accepted and accredited by the great majority of universities as an excellent foundation for degree study. Business Studies is one of the fastest-growing university subjects and one of the largest. You will be able to go on to a wide variety of degree courses in Business, Management and many related subjects or you can use your BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business to access the professional world when you leave College.
The BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business will prepare you particularly for a career in Business, Management, Administration, Marketing, Human Resources etc., but wherever you end up working, it is likely to be in a business.
“During my first year I really struggled with the exams and revision, but signing up to the Business Studies BTEC course in my second year was the best decision I made. Looking back, this course gave me the foundation upon which to build my career. Throughout the course, Ailsa covered and explained many business aspects, terminologies and processes that I have taken forward into my career. For example, everyday in my job I use a cash flow forecast, which was covered in the BTEC course, including how to create one. In interviews since college, I have been asked how and why I got into Marketing. My response has always been that it stemmed from my Business Studies BTEC course and how the influence of a teacher made my career path clearer. Thank you, Ailsa and Godalming College.” ~ Max Jones, Digital Marketing Manager, Old Thorns Hotel Liphook