Higher Education Courses
Higher National Diploma in Business (HNC and HND)
Introduction
In today’s increasingly competitive corporate world, leading enterprises demand people with demonstrable management skills and abilities. BTEC Higher Nationals are recognised by employers around the world for their emphasis on developing practical skills alongside specialist knowledge and understanding of an industry or sector. With their strong focus on technical skills, they help to address the high-level technical skills shortage that’s an important issue in the UK and globally.
Assessment is through practical assignments to more accurately reflect the real working environment. Through this engaging approach to learning, you will be ready to face the challenges of the modern business world armed with the hands-on skills employers demand.
Careers
The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business provides its learner the realistic and appropriate career-related opportunities worldwide for 21st-century employment markets. Students who successfully completed Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business qualification can progress onto Year 2 of our Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business or Year 2 in Degree programme at many universities.
Entry Requirements
Students will have one of the following:
- A level 3 qualification, preferably in Business
- An Access to Higher Education certificate awarded by an approved FE college
- Work related experience for a minimum of 5 years
- GCE Advanced Level study demonstrating strong performance in more than one subject, in addition to GCSE grades A-C in English and Mathematics.
- English language skills will be assessed by the college through initial assessment equivalent to CEFR level B2, where the student has completed a level 3 course in business in the UK. In all other cases CEFR level B2 certificate from an approved awarding body in UK will be used as the entry criteria for competence in English language for this course.
- There will also be a one to one interview sessions to understand students’ motivations to learn.
Course Credit Value
• Level 4 – 120 Credits
• Level 5 – 120 credits
Course Duration
• Up to 30 weeks
Awarding Body
• Pearson Education Ltd
Location
Oldham | Hounslow
Units – HNC Business
Business and the Business Environment
The aim of this unit is to provide students with background knowledge and understanding of business, the functions of an organisation and the wider business environments in which organisations operate. Students will examine the different types of organisations (including for profit and not for profit), their size and scope (for instance, micro, SME, transnational and global) and how they operate.
Marketing Essentials
This unit is designed to introduce students to the principles of marketing, enabling them to develop a basic marketing plan and to employ elements of the marketing mix to achieve results. While they will learn the underpinning theories and frameworks, they will also be able to relate these to real-world examples, including products/services that they encounter in their own daily lives.
Human Resource Management
The aim of this unit is to enable students to appreciate and apply principles of effective Human Resource Management (HRM). People are the lifeblood of any organisation and being able to attract, recruit and retain talented staff is at the core of all HRM activity. This unit will explore the tools and techniques used in HRM to maximise the employee contribution and how to use HR methods to gain competitive advantage.
Management and Operations
The aim of this unit is to help students understand the difference between the function of a manager and the role of a leader. Students will consider the characteristics, behaviours and traits which support effective management and leadership. In addition, this unit will introduce the concept of operations as both a function and a process which all organisations must adopt to conduct business. Students will be introduced to contemporary and historical theories and concepts which will support their learning for this unit.
Management Accounting
The overall aim of this unit is to introduce the fundamentals of management accounting which apply to the wider business environment and the organisations which operate within that environment. Students will explore how management accounting uses financial data to aid planning decisions, and the monitoring and control of finance within organisations.
Managing a Successful Business Project
This unit is assessed by a Pearson-set assignment. The project brief will be set by the centre, based on a theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The theme and chosen project within the theme will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of business in the context of the business environment.
Business Law
The aim of this unit is to enhance students’ understanding of how business law is applied to the running of a business organisation. Students will gain knowledge of business law and examine the impact of the law on business operations and decision making. Throughout the unit students will identify legal solutions available to business owners and assess their suitability.
Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management
This unit provides students with an understanding of the definition and scope of entrepreneurship and an understanding of the enablers and barriers to business start-up. Students will learn about the influence of national culture and economy on entrepreneurship and will explore the personal characteristics of entrepreneurs and the impact of personal situational factors, including education and background. Students will also learn about the role and importance of small firms to the economy, and about social enterprise and the social economy.
Units – HND Business
Research Project
The aim of this unit is to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. The unit enables students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research theme, to develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages students to reflect on their engagement in the research process during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points.
Organisational Behaviour
The aim of this unit is to develop a student’s understanding of the influence culture, politics and power have on the behaviour of others in an organisational context. Students will be in a position to apply the principles of organisational behaviour to a variety of business situations.
Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities
The role of the entrepreneur is to weigh up opportunities, threats and personal capacity to translate an opportunity into a business idea. This unit provides students with an understanding of where new venture ideas come from and gives them the opportunity to investigate and evaluate a new venture idea.
Launching a New Venture
This unit provides students with a practical understanding of what is required to successfully launch a new venture. It gives students an opportunity to work within a small team to fully plan the launch of a specific new venture idea. They will learn about and work through the stages of planning to launch the venture culminating in a group presentation of a launch plan.
Managing and Running a Small Business
This unit will provide students with a practical understanding of the key aspects of running a small business or social enterprise. Students will learn about the activities involved in running a small business, including developing good relationships with customers, planning and allocating operational resources, forecasting and budgeting, interpreting financial statements, recruitment and retention of staff, leadership and building a team, dealing with legislation and regulation and how to put together a business plan.
Business Strategy
The aim of this unit is to develop students’ awareness of the different kinds of strategy which could be used in an operational, tactical or strategic role for an organisation. This will be underpinned by a thorough knowledge and understanding of the theories, models and concepts which could significantly support an organisation’s strategic choice and direction.
Planning for Growth
This unit provides students with an appreciation of how small and medium enterprises (SMEs) develop and grow. Students will learn about and apply techniques for identifying opportunities for growth, and appraise options for achieving growth, including via collaboration.
Students will also learn about the sources of investment finance and consider how an SME attracts investors.
