Business Management                                                 

​ABOUT THE COURSE​

​​​

1: Why choose a BTEC Higher National qualification?

 

BTEC is globally recognised for its applied learning approach, engaging students in practical, interpersonal, and cognitive skills for over thirty years. These qualifications are tailored for individuals starting their careers or those already employed seeking advancement opportunities. BTECs facilitate progression into the workforce, either directly or through further university study, and are designed to align with employer needs. They are highly regarded by both industry and higher education institutions as leading career-focused qualifications at Levels 4 and 5. 

​

In developing BTEC Higher National qualifications, Pearson collaborates with a diverse group of students, employers, higher education providers, colleges, and subject matter experts to ensure the qualifications meet their needs and expectations. Pearson also engages with professional bodies to ensure alignment with recognised standards. The Pearson BTEC Higher National qualifications address the growing demand for high-quality professional and technical education at undergraduate Levels 4 and 5. They offer students a clear pathway to employment and the option to pursue a degree at Level 6. 

​

As the awarding body, Pearson has approved The City College to offer a variety of Higher National qualifications. The College’s management and lecturing team is responsible for ensuring that the quality of the provision meets Pearson’s exacting conditions and standards. Quality is monitored regularly through visits from Pearson’s External Examiners and a regular Pearson Annual Management Review. 

In addition, once you become a student, the BTEC HN Global website provides a specially designed range of digital resources to give you the best possible experience during the BTEC Higher Nationals course. (Please find the link in the section Useful Links below) 

​

2: Why choose a Higher National Qualification in Business?

​

The BTEC Higher National qualifications in Business are designed to develop you as a professional, self-reflecting individual capable of meeting the demands of employers and adapting to a constantly changing world. These qualifications include a Level 4 Certificate (HNC) and a Level 5 Diploma (HND), aimed at widening access to higher education and enhancing career prospects. 

​

Ideal for those wishing to continue their education through applied learning, the BTEC HNC/HND in Business offers a comprehensive study of the business sector. These qualifications focus on developing practical, interpersonal, and cognitive skills needed to succeed in employment and higher education. You will gain experience in various aspects of the business sector, preparing you for further study or training. The flexible, unit-based structure allows you to develop essential workplace skills and behaviours, such as participating in group projects and meeting client briefs. 

​

Objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business 

​

• Develop Business Skills: Enhance your business skills, knowledge, and understanding for high performance in the international business environment. 

• Foster Enquiring Minds: Build the abilities and confidence to work across different business functions, lead, manage, respond to change, and tackle complex business situations. 

• Core Skills for Careers: Provide essential skills for careers in management, human resources, marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting, and finance. 

• Balance Employability and Knowledge: Combine employability skills with essential knowledge for entrepreneurial, employment, or academic ambitions. 

• Digital Technologies: Improve understanding of the impact of new digital technologies on the business environment. 

• International Insights: Offer insights into international business operations and the opportunities and challenges of the global marketplace. ​

​

​

KEY INFORMATION

​

Starting Dates:                   January / April / September

​​

Mode of Study:                   Full-time 

​​

Duration:                             HND – Two years

​​

Awarding Body:                  Pearson

​

Award:                                 BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business

Award:                                 BTEC HND Diploma in Business & Management                                             
                        :                   

​

Price:                                   Full-Time (On-site Learning) £6,355/year 

                                            Full-Time Distance Learning (Off-site Learning) £6,355 

​​​​

​​​

* STUDENT LOAN AVAILABLE *

​​​

3: Aims of the Level 4 and 5 Higher Nationals in Business 

​

Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business 

​

The Level 4 units provide a broad introduction to business and its functions, laying the foundations for further study or employment. You will gain a wide range of business knowledge and practical skills through research, independent study, and workplace scenarios. The curriculum focuses on developing vocational behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. By the end of Level 4, you will have a solid understanding of basic business concepts and be competent in both subject-specific and general skills. 

 

Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business 

 

The Level 5 units allow you to specialise in a business-related area and prepare for degree-level study or employment. You will develop the ability to apply your ideas, handle complexity, explore solutions, and use both theory and practice in various business situations. By the end of Level 5, you will have a deep understanding of your specialist area and be able to perform effectively in the business world. 

​

Developing Employability and Academic Skills 

 

The BTEC Higher Nationals in Business support the development of key employability skills, including problem-solving, independence, interpersonal skills, commercial awareness, and business management. These skills enhance your career prospects and personal development, providing a vocational context for deeper learning and progression to university degree courses. 

​​

4: What employment and further study opportunities could these qualifications lead to? 

​

Having a BTEC Higher National in Business allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study. 

 

On successful completion of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, students can develop their careers in the business sector through: 

​

• Entering employment in job roles such as: 

• Business Manager 

• Business Development Manager 

• Business Advisor 

• Office Manager 

• Continuing existing employment 

• Linking with the appropriate Professional Body 

• Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 

• Progressing to university. 

 

Successful completion of the BTEC HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Business-related honours degree at a UK university. The qualification is recognised by Higher Education providers (e.g. universities) as meeting admission requirements to many relevant business-related courses, including, for example: 

​

BSc (Hons) in Business and Management 

BA and BSc (Hons) in Business Studies 

BSc (Hons) in International Management. 

 

Students should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific Higher Education providers where they wish to gain admission and ‘top-up’ their HND. 

​

Degree Finder 

 

Pearson's Degree Finder (DF) tool has been created for students studying a Pearson BTEC Higher National qualification who are looking for progression options to university.  

You can use the DF before, during, or after completing your Pearson course to help you plan your next steps. It is recommended that you read through the user guidance before searching. Look for a direct pathway by entering the specific Higher National subject, including the level and pathway, to find out where your qualification can take you. (Please find the link in the section Useful Links below) 

​

5: Programme structure 

 

The regular timescale for achieving a Level 5 HND by full-time study is two-years. Progression to Year 2 of the programme is dependent on satisfactory completion of  

 

Year 1

​

Level 4 HNC: 

• Requires successful completion of 8 units 

• Mixes 6 core and 2 optional units, each with a value of 15 credits (120 total) 

• Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 1200 hours 

• Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 480 hours 

• The total independent learning hours for Higher National Certificate (HNC) is 720 hours

 

Follows the General Business pathway.  
 

Year 2  

​

Level 5 HND: 

• Requires successful completion of a further 7 units (therefore 15 in total) 

• Mixes 2 core, 3 specialist and 2 optional units, each with a value of 15 credits except the Research Project which is 30 credits (240 total minimum) 

• Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 2400 hours 

• Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 960 hours 

• The total independent learning hours for Higher National Diploma (HND) is 1,440 hours 

 

Follows the Business Management specialist pathway. 

​

TQT (Total Qualification Time) is an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required for a student to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. It can include, for example, guided learning, independent and unsupervised research/ learning, unsupervised coursework, watching a pre-recorded podcast or webinar, and unsupervised work-based learning. 

​

GLH (Guided Learning Hours) are defined as the time when a tutor is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, open learning centres and learning workshops. Guided Learning includes any supervised assessment activity; this includes invigilated examination and, observed assessment and observed work-based practice. 

​

Independent learning hours are the hours when a student is learning without the direct guidance of a member of the centre staff. They are critical to the student’s ability to develop knowledge and skills, as well as providing them with the opportunity to develop key transferrable skills such as self-discipline, time management and self-motivation. 

​

The 240 credits achieved by successful completion of the HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Business-related honours degree at a UK university (see section 8 below). 

​

6: What is studied and how is it timetabled and assessed? 

​

The academic year is divided into three terms and in each term you will normally be timetabled to study 2-3 units. You will usually be timetabled for at least two to three days per week and it must be noted that the timetable changes from term-to-term as the programme develops and units are completed. 

​

A variety of forms of assessment evidence will be used, suited to the type of learning outcomes being assessed. Some units, for example, require a practical demonstration of skills, while others require students to carry out their own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team. 

​

Methods of assessment may include, for example, writing a report or essay, recording an interview or role play, examination or in-class tests, giving a presentation with assessor questioning, making a PowerPoint presentation, creating academic posters, displays or leaflets, or keeping a reflective journal. 

​

The specification below covers Higher Nationals in Business taught from the academic year September 2021 onwards.  

​

YEAR 1​​​​​​​​​​