This subject is offered as an A Level course over two years.

If you are looking for a career in business and want to develop skills and understanding that are directly relevant to the business world, then this BTEC qualification is for you. This course will help build your skills, knowledge and understanding of the business environment which are needed to continue studying to degree level and to start work. The skills and experience you will receive are vital to succeed in the business environment, thereby enhancing your employability within the business sector. Ideally you will be a good communicator, both in written and verbal forms, confident, conscientious and able to work independently. Above all, you will not be afraid of hard work.

Units of Study and Assessment

There are a total of four units (three mandatory and one optional). Two of the units are internally assessed and worth 42% of the overall grade. Two units are externally assessed and worth 58% of the overall grade.
Candidates must achieve four units over two years in order to gain the full award equivalent to one A Level.

The course also provides the flexibility of completing two of the core unit’s in one year equivalent to 0.5 A Levels. The units from this qualification are graded as Pass, Merit or Distinction. The total of each unit will determine the overall grade for the course.

The overall grade equivalents are detailed below:

PASS - Equivalent to E grade.
MERIT - Equivalent to C grade. DISTINCTION - Equivalent to A grade. DISTINCTION * - Equivalent to A* grade.

Unit 1: Exploring Business (25%)

This is mandatory unit that is internally assessed. It
will help you gain an overview of key ingredients for business success, how businesses are organised, how they communicate, the characteristics of the environment in which they operate and how this shapes them and their activities. You will also look at the importance of innovation and enterprise to the success and survival of businesses, with the associated risks and benefits.

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign (25%)

This is a mandatory unit that is externally assessed under supervised conditions. You will be provided with a case study two weeks before the assessment period. During this unit you will have the opportunity to create your own marketing campaign. This will allow you to understand every step of the process to give you the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge you will need to be successful in the field of marketing. You will gain an insight into the importance of marketing to business success.

Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance (33%)

This is a mandatory unit that is externally assessed by an unseen paper-based examination. This unit will help you understand how to manage your personal finances and make informed decisions to help prevent future financial difficulties.

The business finance aspects of the unit introduce you
to accounting terminology, the purpose and importance of business accounts and the different sources of finance available to businesses. Planning tools, such as cash flow forecasts and break-even, will be prepared and analysed. Measuring the financial performance of a business will require you to prepare and analyse statements of comprehensive income and statements of financial position. It will help you analyse profitability, liquidity and business efficiency.

Unit 8: Recruitment & Selection Process (17%)

In this unit you will learn that successful recruitment is key to maintaining the success of a business, as people are often considered to be the most valued resource. You will explore the various selection tools and the enhanced use of technology in this area. Businesses with an effective recruitment process in place are more likely to make successful appointments. In a competitive labour market this is a major advantage and will support business success. This unit gives you the opportunity, through role play, to take part in selection interviews. They will need to be organised and prepared so that they demonstrate your communication skills in this work-related competence.

Is there anything else I should know?

The new BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Business have been designed to accredit candidates’ achievement in a modern and practical way that is relevant to the workplace. There is no requirement for candidates to have achieved a Level 2 Business qualification before progressing to this award.

Is there anything else I should know?

Employment in a business related role - for example: Supervisory or Management Trainee; entry to college or university for further study; work towards work-related and vocational qualifications in Business.