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Business Level 3 Extended Diploma

Get an in-depth knowledge of how business works with a qualification that’s highly valued by employers.

In the Business Level 3 Extended Diploma you will learn about the structure of business organisations and the processes involved in planning, setting up and running a business venture, such as: management and human resources, finance, marketing, basic economics and ethics, and the importance of innovation and creativity in business. An industry placement is incorporated into the framework of the course, which will give you the opportunity to apply knowledge learnt in the classroom to real-life working scenarios.

Initially, in year one you will study for a Subsidiary Diploma. Successful students will be invited to study for the Extended Diploma, which they will complete in year two of the course.

This course is varied: you could for example develop an idea for a new product or service, draw up a business start-up and implementation plan, present it to investors, sell your product or service, develop a business event, lead a team of people or produce a case study on an ethical business issue.

The course gives you highly transferable skills and provides excellent preparation for progression to career opportunities in finance, human resources, marketing and management, or for entry to higher education.

The Business Level 3 Extended Diploma has core/mandatory units and optional units. The core units you cover are:

  • the business environment
  • business resources
  • introduction to marketing
  • business communication

In addition to these, you take 12 optional units from a range which includes:

  • creative product promotion
  • business accounting
  • internet marketing
  • human resource management
  • developing teamwork
  • international business environment
  • starting a small business
  • health and safety
  • event management
  • supporting business projects
  • recruitment and selection

This course develops and enhances your professionalism in a business context. It develops personal skills alongside knowledge acquisition and its practical application.

You will learn about the legal forms of business ownership, financial accounting, business documentation, communication in businesses, the structure interpretation and use of financial documents, and how they are used in a business environment.

You will learn via team activities, visits to local businesses, entrepreneur competitions at university, visits to SAID Business School, research tasks, presentations, volunteering opportunities, discussions and debates.

Completing an industry placement is also an integral part of the qualification. You will spend a minimum of 315 hours (45-50 days on average) with an external employer in a role directly relevant to your course.

By completing a placement:

  • you gain practical, real-life experience of working in your desired profession and gain practical knowledge to help you graduate from the programme
  • develop your employability skills, like teamwork and communication

You will benefit from workshop facilities in a computer suite with computers that enable you to complete your course assessments. There are also open access computer resources in the library.

The course will develop your employability through the day-to-day course activities, such as teamworking, group and individual activities. This will also assist in improving your English, maths and ICT skills. This will also help you to complete your coursework and prepare you for further independent study or employment. You will also learn how to become a more independent learner as the course will develop your analytical and critical thinking skills as well as teamworking and leadership skills.

Activities range from academic case study work to developing practical business skills and work experience. There is also a variety of business-related excursions and a residential trip during the course of your studies.

This BTEC course is a practical work and business-related course.

You’ll primarily ‘learn by doing’, in other words, completing projects and assignments based on real businesses in the area.

All units are assessed through written and oral assignments. There are two exams each year.

You will need to have 4 GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English and maths.

Explore your career progression options

If you are considering applying for this programme, why not explore your potential career progression routes using our handy tool.

You can explore live job vacancies, next level qualifications and apprenticeship standards in your local area. Not only this but you can also watch videos of real people talking about their experiences of working in your specific industry or occupation of interest.

Why not visit us at an Open Event and find out more about this pathway.

Why Reading College?

  • Clear routes of progression with qualifications ranging from foundation level to degree level!
  • Industry experienced teaching staff give you the responsibility and independence you need to take charge of your own future.
  • 150+

    courses available

  • 95%

    of our graduates go into work or higher education

  • 65+

    years of teaching experience

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