Equivalent in size to one A Level and UCAS points awarded as with A Levels. Assignments, units and final marks will be awarded as: Pass (E), Merit (C), Distinction (A), Distinction* (A*).

This business course is specifically aimed at young people wanting to study a related course at university, take up an apprenticeship or career straight after school.

Local firms and not-for-profit organisations tell us that they need skilled employees with a good business acumen as well as the ability to work well in a team and communicate effectively. This course addresses these needs. This course opens up a wide range of opportunities such as the ability to progress on to a degree in a wide range of subjects such as Business, Marketing, IT, Accountancy, Teaching or Law. Alternatively students could enter employment in various areas of business such as accounts and finance, human resources, local government, logistics, marketing or retailing. Students should also be capable of starting their own business.

It is ideal for students who would enjoy completing regular assignments and project work alongside 2 traditional linear A Levels.

Some possible combinations could be:

• A Levels in Spanish and Mathematics, it could lead to a BSc (Hons) in International Management with Spanish
• A Levels in Computing and Economics, it could lead to an Accountancy Apprenticeship

What will I study?

Student assessments during the two years mainly take the form assignments, case studies and presentations. These will be closely linked to the modern business world. Students learn the necessary skills in finance and maths to equip them to cope with personal and business finance; we all know that money makes the world go around!

The units we study are

• Unit 1 Exploring Business (3 assignments)
• Unit 2 Developing a Marketing Campaign (pre released case study and 3 hour supervised assessment)
• Unit 3 Personal and Business Finance (exam)
• Unit 8 Recruitment and Selection

What do I need to study Business BTEC?

Business BTEC students should have a 4 in English and Mathematics because of the written demands and a finance based examination. If you have studied a Business related GCSE then a Grade 4 is needed or BTEC Level 2 Merit.

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 etc) and also watch topical programmes like the BBC News, Newsnight, The Apprentice etc regularly. 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.

The Business BTEC course:

• Provides young people with a higher-level education based on an industry driven curriculum
• Allows young people to explore what different businesses are trying to achieve, and that their objective is not always to increase profit
• Provides young people with important life skills as personal finance is examined along with business finance. Theoretical knowledge is backed up by a strong emphasis on learning by doing
• Shows students how to think for themselves; how to problem solve; how to communicate; how to work independently; and how to function successfully as part of a team
• Provides major links to industry with compulsory work experience
• Is supported by many top universities - Manchester and Sheffield Universities for example have stated that they will welcome applications from students with the new Level 3 BTEC qualifications, alongside A Levels (A*-B)
• It is supported by many large employers too – John Lewis, Barclays, the Cooperative Group for example