BTEC First Diploma in Business
In September 2007 students will have the opportunity to study BTEC First Diploma in Business with the Edexcel Examination Board. It is important that you have a lively and enquiring mind, an interest in Business, a willingness to explore new ideas and an ability to communicate your ideas effectively. The course is designed to include a wide range of business-related areas of understanding and practice.
Entry onto the course must include one of the following:-
- You must have 4 GCSE’s grade D-E, including English and Maths.
- A BTEC Level 1 Introductory Diploma
It is not a requirement that you should have studied Business before taking a BTEC First Diploma in Business.
What will I learn?
You will:
- Gain a broad understanding of business and be able to study in depth selected areas of business
- Develop skills, knowledge and understanding in business
- Have an opportunity to apply learning in a practical and realistic way
- Follow a programme of study that enables progression to both GCE Applied Business and employment in business
- Develop Communication and ICT Key Skills which are highly valued by employers and further education
- Gain confidence by developing independent learning skills
Who is the BTEC First Diploma suitable for?This course will appeal to students who:
- Have a keen interest in business and how it is operated
- Enjoy studying a subject that is relevant to their own lives and experience
- Want to find out more about business through personal investigation
- Are interested in developing an understanding of how business work, develop and make a profit
- Want to study a course that is active and enjoyable
- Want to move on to a related career or further education
Course Description - The BTEC First Diploma in Business is made up of 6 units (3 core and 3 specialist) over a period of one year. All units are coursework based and are assessed by the school with the exception of Unit 1: Introduction to Business Activity, which will be assessed through an externally set assignment.
Below is a summary of learning outcomes for each unit of study:-
Unit 1 - Introduction to Business Activity (This unit is assessed through an externally set assignment)
- Explore business activities undertaken to achieve key goals
- Investigate the classification of business activities in contemporary Britain
- Consider ways in which businesses use resources to achieve their aims and objectives
- Examine management processes which facilitate the achievement of business aims and objectives.
Unit 2 - Exploring Key Business Pressures (This is an internally assessed unit)
- Investigate the responses of businesses to customer expectations
- Explore the responses of businesses to competitive pressures
- Consider the impact on businesses of stakeholders expectations
- Examine the impact on businesses of key political, economic, social, technologies and other external influences.
Unit 3 - Investigating Financial Control (This is an internally assessed unit)
- Investigate how businesses may make a profit and break even
- Explore cash flow management
- Examine the use of budgets for planning and monitoring expenditure
- Review the importance of recording transactions
Specialist Units:
Unit 5 - Employee Contribution to Working Conditions (This is an internally assessed unit)
- Explore terms of employment contracts
- Consider the processes of recruitment and staff development
- Investigate key features of industrial relations
- Explore adaptability to change
Unit 7 - Sales and Customer Service (This is an internally assessed unit)
- Explore sales promotion techniques
- Investigate effective pre-sales preparation
- Examine effective sales practice
- Consider effective after-sales service
Unit 9 - Starting up a New Business (This is an internally assessed unit)
- Investigate market opportunities for a possible new business venture
- Consider minimum legal and financial requirements
- Complete a draft business plan
- Explore personal qualities of a successful entrepreneur
Assessment Details - An assignment will be issued to assess each unit of study. The assignment will ensure coverage of all criteria in the unit. This should ensure that students produce evidence that directly relates to the specified criteria. The student will be assessed using a variety of assessment methods including case studies, performance observation and time-constrained assessments. These assessed pieces of work are then sent to an external moderator who will monitor the quality of assessment and to ensure that the work complies with the national standards.
Each unit of study will have an overall grade awarded at ‘pass,’ ‘merit’ or ‘distinction’. The overall grades will be calculated on the total points achieved from internally assessed units (2, 3, 5, 7 and 9) combined with the grade points from the externally set assignment unit (1). Each grade will be determined by fixed grade boundaries.
- All internally assessed units: P = 2, M = 4, D = 6
- Unit with externally set assignment: P = 4, M = 8, D = 12
The externally set assignment will have double unit values. Certificates for BTEC First Diploma will show the overall grade if the full qualification is achieved as well as details of performance in individual units.
Can I develop my full range of skills by doing BTEC First Diploma in Business Studies?
As well as covering BTEC First Diploma in Business you will develop your Key Skills in communication and IT.
Work towards your portfolio will offer you the greatest opportunity to develop and collect evidence for these Key Skills, although it will not cover every aspect. Other opportunities will arise during lessons, individual study and other activities you may undertake in or outside school.
If you take part is a discussion or role-play, for example, you could be collecting evidence for part of your Communication Key Skill; reports that you write as part of your course could also provide evidence. If you present this using IT, you are starting to produce evidence for the Information Technology Key Skill.
Communication Key Skill Level Two
Students will be required to successfully complete a piece of coursework and sit a on-hour examination (multiple choice). Students will be exempt from the examination if they already have a ‘C’ grade in English Literature. The student will need to demonstrate the following skills in their portfolio of evidence.
- Help move discussions forward
- Give a short talk using an image to illustrate their main points
- Read and summarise information from extended documents
Information Technology Key Skill Level Two
The aim of the course is to build upon students’ current knowledge of various software applications. Students develop their practical skills by using Word, Excel, Publisher and various internet search engines to produce two pieces of coursework. The key assessment areas are:
- Searching for and selecting information
- Drafting and exploring the Research
- Presenting information in a consistent format
Additional Studies
Students will also participate in a two week work experience programme to gain either a Level 1 or 2 Qualification in Preparation for Employment.
The qualification will consist of four unit assessments. Each unit will be portfolio of evidence based on their work experience placement.
What do I get at the end of the course?
- A BTEC First Diploma in Business
- Information Technology Key Skill Level Two
- Communication Key Skill Level Two
- Preparation for Employment Level Two/One
What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of my course?
A BTEC First Diploma in Business is equivalent to 4 GCSEs at grades A* - C.
Students gaining a BTEC First Diploma in Business will have access to a range of career and further education opportunities. You learn and use a variety of skills throughout the course, including collecting, analysing and interpreting data, communicating your findings in different ways, and identifying and developing the links between different parts of the subject. These skills are in great demand and are recognised and highly valued by employers and colleges.
A BTEC First Diploma in Business can combine well with GCSEs, NVQs and industry-related qualifications. Combined with any of these qualifications it supports applications for the GCE Applied in Business as well as other AS level curriculum subjects.
Many students choose to use their qualification to go straight into employment, rather than go on to further education. BTEC First Diploma in Business help develop students key skills that employers are looking for, you can consider a very wide range of employment opportunities in the Business Sector.
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