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• BTEC Level 3 Business Studies

BTEC Level 3 Business Studies

• What are BTEC Nationals in Business?

There are 4 BTEC courses available in Business:

• Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Certificate in Business = 1 A Level
• Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Business = 2 A Levels
• Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Business
• Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business.

The BTEC Nationals in Business have been developed in the business sector to:

• provide education and training for employees in the business sector;
• provide opportunities for business employees to achieve a nationally recognised Level 3 vocationally-specific qualification;
• provide full-time learners the opportunity to enter employment in the business sector or to progress to vocational qualifications such as the Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals in Business;
• provide learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal skills and attributes essential for successful performance in working life.

• How does it differ from GCSE?

The four core units in the subsidiary diploma, diploma and extended diploma give learners an introduction to and understanding of the business environment, management of resources, marketing and communication – all fundamental to the success of business organisations.

The certificate has a smaller core of three of these units, allowing a choice between marketing and communication.

The structures of the qualification, allow a great deal of choice and flexibility. This provides choice and personalisation opportunities for the school and students. The flexibility of the specification gives the school opportunities for imaginative, innovative and creative curriculum planning and delivery. The specification also addresses sector needs and skills gaps such as in the finance, administration and management areas.

Students can focus on their career aspirations, or work area within the specification in which there are six specialist pathways consisting of Finance, Management, Marketing, Law, Administration, and Human Resources. At the same time this gives those who require more generic business knowledge the scope of units to do so. For example, a student wanting a career in finance has five specialist finance units (Units 5-8 and Unit 40) clearly identified, so may choose to add two of these to the mandatory units for a Subsidiary Diploma or add all of them to the core for a Diploma (with the addition of another three units). At Extended Diploma level, a student could, if still in doubt about their final career choice or promotion opportunities in the workplace, combine several specialist areas with the mandatory, or just one specialist area and a combination of more generic units, to keep career options open. It is possible to reflect study of a specialist pathway in the qualification title obtained by the student, at both Diploma and Extended Diploma level. To be able to do this, all four units from the specialist pathway must be completed by the student. Only one specialist pathway title can be included in the qualification title, even though more than one specialist pathway may have been completed, for example BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Business (Finance), or BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Business (Law). Indicating specialist study in the qualification title, will be useful for both progression to the workplace, or onto higher education, or professional membership and qualifications.

The BTEC Nationals in Business offer course teams in schools an opportunity to develop their own assignments and activities, to take into account the needs of both local employers and their studentss.

• How is the subject assessed?

The assessment approach of the BTEC Nationals in Business allows students to receive feedback on their progress throughout the course as they provide evidence towards the assessment and grading criteria.

Evidence for assessment may be generated through a range of diverse activities including assignment and project work, case studies, workplace assessment, role play and oral presentation. Delivery strategies should reflect the nature of work within the business sector by encouraging students to research and carry out assessment in the workplace or in simulated working conditions wherever possible.

Business employers value employees who are able to communicate effectively both verbally and using electronic communication methods. The BTEC Nationals in Business provide opportunities for students to develop their communication skills as they progress through the course. This can be both through presentations and discussions in which they have the opportunity to express their opinions. Students will be encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and achievement, taking into account industry standards for behaviour and performance. It will be beneficial to students to use local business examples wherever possible, and for the school to engage with local employers for support and input.

• Apart from lessons, how much time is needed to study this subject?

The BTEC National Business student is advised to spend an additional 4 - 10 hours a week studying independently – depending on the level of certificate taken. You will need to complete tasks set in class as well as Independent Learning; revise and research topics needed to assist with coursework.

• What resources will I need?

You will need access to a computer and the internet outside of school. You would also be expected to read quality broadsheet newspapers on a weekly basis (The Times, The Guardian and The Independent etc) and also watch topical programmes like the BBC News, Newsnight, The Money Program, The Apprentice etc on a regular basis. You will be expected to keep a record of relevant news stories that relate to developments in the world of business.

Case studies will be provided to assist you with an understanding of how businesses operate but it would also be beneficial to create links with other businesses and business people you know to give a ‘real life’ point of contact to help you with your studies.