Business BTEC

Online Application Selection: National Certificate in Business  BTEC Level 3
Qualification at End of Year 2: National Extended Certificate in Business BTEC Level 3
During Year 1 you will study for the National Certificate, for Year 2 you will progress to the National Extended Certificate
Exam Board: Pearson; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 English Language GCSE or 4 in Maths GCSE.
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: A combination of written / computer-based exams and coursework
BHASVIC Department: Business and Economics

What will I study?

These vocational courses will allow you to study topics such as business development and strategy, financial planning and accounting, marketing, event management and international business. You will study real business successes and failures. This course will give you the equivalent of one A level over two years of study. 3 out of 4 topics will be studied by completing coursework investigating at least one actual business, and the 4th topic is assessed through an exam in the second year. Each topic will be studied by completing coursework investigating at least one actual business. You will develop your skills of independent learning, research, problem solving and organisation. Organisation is important so you can cope with the significant workload of completing weekly coursework activities. Analysing data and communicating using written, numerical, visual and verbal methods are all part of the course. Before and throughout the course students are encouraged to read up on businesses (brands, sports clubs, festivals, cars etc) that they are interested in. Students are also expected to take an interest in current business news so that they can begin to understand the causes and effects of consumer, business and Government behaviour. 

Is this course right for me?

These courses are ideal for students who are passionate about business and are either planning on starting up their own business or pursuing a career in business. It is a subject that requires students to learn theories, apply them to real businesses through their research, and assess their effectiveness. The courses will suit you if you prefer coursework to exams and want the chance to combine College with a detailed investigation of individual businesses. You do need to be able to cope with constant and tight deadlines. There is a significant element of reading and writing because of the coursework, but also an expectation that students discuss and question at every opportunity. Students are expected to study given business theory before every week so that we can use this self-taught knowledge to explore real business case studies and effectively answer coursework activities. Students will need to manage multiple assignments so organisation is very important.

Where next?

This subject can take you in many different directions such as Marketing, Finance, HR, Logistics and Retail. It provides an insight into functions that are relevant to all sectors of the economy and employment routes. Whatever your skillset, there is a role within a business to suit you, from customer facing roles to financial analysis. The skills you gain on these courses will allow you to make a valuable contribution to a business in the future. A Degree Apprenticeship in Chartered Management also exists for students to progress on to after BHASVIC. Useful websites to research careers and wider progression options could include the Chartered Institute of Management, All About Careers and The Apprenticeship Guide.