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Pembrokeshire College, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA61 1SZ

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BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business

Do you dream about becoming an accountant, a lawyer, a business consultant, or the next business leader? Have you dreamed about working in customer service, in marketing, or even managing large events? This course will act as a stepping-stone on your journey to your desired destination – whether that is employment, higher education, or starting your own business.

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ID: 31233

Is this course right for me?

The world of business is rapidly changing. You will learn about business enterprise, the functional areas of business, as well as financial awareness, how to complete market research, and marketing a business.  This course will support you with the development of your academic skills, and the development of your transferrable skills that are desired by employers globally including: team working, use of initiative to solve business problems, communication and teamwork.

Through a range of written assessments, controlled assessments and one exam, you will investigate businesses on a local, national and international scope, learning what the business world is all about.

Successful completion of the Extended Diploma in year two is equivalent to three A-levels.

  • Five GCSEs at grade C or above (may include one relevant equivalent) to include English Language/First Language Welsh and Mathematics/Numeracy
  • Each application is considered on individual merit
  • Entry is subject to attending a course information session or informal interview
  • Successful completion of relevant Level 2 programme with a merit grade or above in addition to a successful decision from progression board meeting
  • Two GCSEs at grade C or above to include English Language/First Language Welsh and Mathematics/Numeracy

This course investigates the functional areas of business. It will provide you with a broad base of knowledge relating to different types of business on a local, national and global scale. Units include:

  • Exploring Business – You will gain an overview of how businesses are organised, how they communicate, the characteristics of the environment in which they operate, and how this shapes them and their activities.
  • Developing a Marketing Campaign – An insight into how important marketing is to business and how promotional campaigns are planned and implemented.
  • Personal and Business Finance – Includes aspects of both personal and business finance. Personal finance involves the understanding of why money is important and how managing your money can help prevent future financial difficulties. The business finance aspects of the unit introduce you to accounting terminology, the purpose and importance of business accounts and planning tools and the different sources of finance available to businesses.
  • Managing an Event – Combines your creativity and organisational skills to produce successful, memorable events, whether for profit or social enterprise.
  • Investigating Customer Service – Develop communication and interpersonal skills when dealing with customers, and to understand the importance of having good product or service knowledge. You will explore how a business builds effective relationships with customers through identifying and confirming the customer’s needs.
  • Pitching for a New Business – Investigate a potential micro-business idea and outline a business plan. You will present your business plan to ‘The Pembrokeshire College Dragons’ (Dragon’s Den), with a view to securing appropriate funding.
  • Employment Law – You will gain an understanding of important employment documents, the rights and duties of both employees and employers, and the effect of non-compliance with the law. You will explore the process of resolving work-related disputes, make judgements on tribunal decisions and explore the support available from other organisations.
  • Recruitment and Selection – It is important that the processes and procedures involved in recruitment and selection meet the needs of the business and comply with current regulations. You will learn that successful recruitment is key to maintaining the success of a business, as people are often considered to be the most valued resource.
  • Market Research – Plan and undertake a research activity using the most appropriate design and sampling method. You will analyse and interpret market research data and present your findings.
  • Business Decision Making – You will consider business situations/scenarios where you are required to select and use appropriate evidence from several sources to support your arguments. You will predict probable consequences, identify faulty arguments or misrepresentations of information or data, compare information and data, provide reasonable alternatives, and evaluate and justify your proposed solutions.
  • Training and Development – In this unit, you will learn that training and development is the key to running a successful business; managers need to have well thought-out training plans in place.
  • Principles of Management – Examine how businesses adapt their approaches to management in response to challenges in their environment. Depending on their roles and responsibilities, managers need to develop skill sets that enable them to work effectively in areas such as the management of people, financial, resource and quality management, and the management of change.

All optional modules are subject to change

Practical activities are an important feature of the course and students will be encouraged to participate in visits to local industry.

If you are already a budding entrepreneur with business ideas, you will be offered support to help you to develop your idea from the College’s Enterprise Officer who will be able to provide you with business mentoring to help you bring your idea to life.

You may need to study an additional skills course depending on:
  • the course you are taking at College
  • what grades you gained in your GCSE Maths and/or English Language
Click below to find out what skills course you may be taking at College

Learners are able to complete either the full qualification or certain units or elements through the medium of Welsh/bilingually. Visit our Welsh Language in the College page to find out what else is available to you.

  • Continuous assessment during the course
  • Portfolio of evidence
  • Written examination

This course can lead to a diverse range of career opportunities in a varied range of businesses including: Business Management, Events Management, Sales, Human Resources, Data Analysis, Retail Management, Marketing, Accountancy, Law.

If you are thinking about studying at degree level following this course please visit the university websites or UCAS (University Central Admissions Service) www.ucas.com to check any entry requirements.

University routes of previous learners who completed this course:

  • Business Management
  • Business Administration
  • International Business
  • Law
  • Accounting & Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Real Estate Management
  • Marketing Management
  • Event Management
  • Hospitality Management
  • Tourism Management
  • Stationery - you will be told about any specific items before you start the course
  • Text books - you will be told about any specific items before you start the course, most text books are available to loan from the college library or online libraries
  • You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page

Any costs above are approximate and may change.

  • No tuition fee
  • We are waiving the Administration Fee for the academic year 2024/25
  • There may be trips/expeditions required or optional as part of this course
  • You may be eligible for funding. Find out more on our student finance page

Any costs above are approximate and may change.

Additional information

Level:

Mode:

Online Learning Elements?

Yes

Sports Academy: While on this course you may be able to join our Sports Academy, if you have a talent for sport, find out what we offer on our Sports Academy page.

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Last updated: 12/12/2023
Disclaimer:
The College takes all reasonable steps to provide the educational services and courses as described above. Details are correct at the time of editing but may be subject to change without prior notice. Courses will not run if student numbers are insufficient. The College has the right to refuse individuals entry to courses in certain circumstances. Prospective students may be advised of more suitable alternatives, if appropriate. The entry requirements stated are those that are normally required to undertake the programme of study.
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