Business (Single Qualification) - Level 3

This qualification (National Extended Certificate) is equivalent to one A Level. 

Within this course students will cover 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are external. The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in  learning about the business sector  alongside other fields of study, with  a view to progressing to a wide  range of higher education courses,  not necessarily in business-related  subjects.

 

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 of 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. 

A GCSE/BTEC Level 2 in Business Studies is not required and students will not be at a disadvantage if they do not hold a previous Business qualification.