Business

This full time course will help you forge a career in business specialisms such as finance, human resources, management, retail or marketing. In your second year you will have the opportunity to choose a specialist pathway. Currently we offer a marketing pathway, finance pathway and a leadership and management pathway.  

A practical, work-related course. You will learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. It is equivalent to three A Levels. The Extended Diploma provides both a broad foundation of business education and firm basis for specialising in a selected avenue of business activity. In your first year you will study the Foundation Diploma progressing to the Extended Diploma in your second year.

This course is ideal if you have an interest in business and leadership, if you enjoy working with people, or if you would like to develop an activity or passion you already have by setting up a business. This course will prepare you for a wide variety of roles in organisations and give you the skills and insight to pursue a career that makes a difference to yourself and others.

There are four externally assessed units, with the remainder assessed internally by coursework and checked by Pearson. An overall grade for the qualification is awarded to all learners who successfully complete all units. The individual units are graded with pass, merit or distinction and these when added together at the end of the two years relate to the overall grade of: Pass, Pass, Pass (PPP) (120 UCAS points) Merit, Merit, Pass (MMP) (160 UCAS points) Merit, Merit, Pass (MMP) (200 UCAS points) Merit, Merit, Merit (MMM) (240 UCAS points Distinction, Distinction, Merit (DDM) 280 UCAS points) Distinction, Distinction, Distinction (DDD) (360 UCAS points).

What topics will I study?

The course is made up of 13 units – 4 core and 9 specialist units (subject to change).

Core Units:

• Exploring Business
• Developing a Marketing Campaign
• Principles of Management
• Business Decision Making

Specialist Units:

• Personal and Business Finance
• Managing an Event
• Training and Development
• Recruitment and Selection Processes
• International Business
• Cost and Management Accounting
• Teambuilding
• Pitching for a New Business
• Digital Marketing

You will:

• Study the business environment and business management, as well as learning about marketing, finance, human resource management and business communication
• Benefit from the College’s links with partner organisations in finance and human resource management
• Learn from guest speakers and external visits

What experiences will I get?

The course is vocational in nature with a combination of business visits, guest speakers and role play to prepare students for the next step in a business related career or university.

This course is studied on its own and cannot be combined with other courses.

Next steps:

You will be able to progress to study business based university level courses, such as the Business Management (BA Ord) or the Business (FdA) at Exeter College. All students work on a variety of vocational tasks that will prepare you for higher education courses or employment. Alternatively, you may decide to take professional qualifications or apply for management training positions.

Standard entry requirements: Grade 4 in English Language and Maths. Plus, you will need three GCSEs at grade 4 or above, or equivalent BTEC Level 2 transition course.

You will have access to a learning resource centre. There is a refectory in Victoria House. Students have the opportunity to take part in enrichment activities.

Optional text books costing approximately £45.00, free online versions available.

There may be the opportunity for day trips or a residential which will be costed separately.