Business (Double Qualification) - Level 3

This qualification (National Diploma) is equivalent to two A Level.

Within this course students will cover 8 units of which 6 are mandatory and 3 are external. The Diploma is designed to be the substantive part of a 16–19 study programme for learners who want a strong core of sector study.

Course Content

This course provides candidates with a broad introduction to the business sector through the research and analysis of the activities of a chosen business organisation. Students are encouraged to acquire the following range of skills through the study of realistic business contexts:

Practical skills: personal organisation and time management
Presentation skills: producing a business report; making an oral presentation
Personal skills: initiative; creativity; perseverance; willingness to learn and progress
Interpersonal skills: working in teams; discussing and resolving problems
Cognitive skills: investigative and research skills; problem-solving; decision-making; using theory to analyse a real organisation; planning a project.

The subject encourages candidates to develop knowledge and understanding of:

the practices and techniques used within marketing, finance, operations management, human resource management and the links between them
the processes, attractions and risks of setting up an enterprise
the relationship between the business and the changing external environment
social and ethical issues in business. The subject also encourages candidates to
contribute to the development of the skills required for success as an entrepreneur, manager or employee
apply numerical and written business techniques to a variety of business contexts
explore business problems and learn to identify possible solutions. This is a broad-based vocational qualification designed to allow students a flexible progression route, to Higher Education, further training and/or employment.

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Assessment

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic.

Mandatory content (83%)
External assessment (58%)

Externally-assessed units

Each external assessment for a BTEC National is linked to a specific unit. All the units developed for external assessment are of 90 or 120 GLH to allow learners to demonstrate breadth and depth of achievement. Each assessment is taken under specified conditions, then marked by Pearson and a grade awarded. Learners are permitted to resit external assessments during their programme.

The styles of external assessment used for qualifications in the Business suite are:

Examinations – all learners take the same assessment at the same time, normally with a written outcome
Set tasks – learners take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task.

Some external assessments include a period of preparation using set information. External assessments are available twice a year.

Internally-assessed units

Most units in the sector are internally assessed and subject to external standards verification.

Learners could be given opportunities to:

write up the findings of their own research
use case studies to explore complex or unfamiliar situations
carry out projects for which they have choice over the direction and outcomes
demonstrate practical and technical skills using appropriate presentations and role plays.

Synoptic assessment

Synoptic assessment requires learners to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole sector as relevant to a key task. BTEC learning has always encouraged learners to apply their learning in realistic contexts using scenarios and realistic activities that will permit learners to draw on and apply their learning.

Progression

After completing the Business (single and/or double) qualification at Meopham School you will be able to access a variety of undergraduate university courses, such as;

Kings College London - Business Management BSc
University of Greenwich - Business with Finance BA (Hons)
Aston University - Business and International Relations BSc
University of Aberdeen - Business Management and International Relation
De Montfort University Leicester - Business and Marketing BA (Hons)
Exeter University -Business Economics

Jobs directly related to business degree include:

Actuarial analyst
Arbitrator
Business adviser
Business analyst
Business development manager
Chartered management accountant
Corporate investment banker
Data analyst
Data scientist
Forensic accountant
Insurance underwriter
Management consultant
Project manager
Risk manager
Stockbroker
Supply chain manager

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

Construction manager
Costs lawyer
Environmental engineer
External auditor
Human resources officer
Logistics and distribution manager
Marketing executive
Mortgage adviser
Retail manager
Sales executive
Systems analyst
Urban designer

Entry Requirements

In order to attend Meopham Sixth Form the minimum entry requirement is 5 level 4 GCSEs, including English and Maths.