Business - Level 3 BTEC Diploma/Extended Diploma - September Start

• Mode of study:

  Full Time

• Level:

  3

• Duration:

  2 Years

• Awarding/validation body:

  Edexcel

This is a 2 year course which is equivalent to 3 A Levels. In the second year you can specialise in either Business and Finance, Business Marketing, or Business Law. This course covers units across a wide and exciting range of specialisms. You will learn business skills which you can then put directly into action. The dynamic teaching team has excellent links with both large and local small employers and part of your learning will be engaging with them to put your skills into practice, networking, and developing your business acumen.

You will be able to demonstrate your entrepreneurial skills through organising and managing your own event and setting up your own small business. You will learn how to build, motivate, and manage a team of people. Central to this will be developing confidence in your communication and presentation skills, which are essential to your future career. You will cover the financial aspects of a business through the accounting units and learn how to calculate profit and loss as well as balance sheets and financial ratios. In the marketing element, you will have the opportunity to create, develop, and market your own product and produce a real advert. Aspects of law will be covered and, in the international business section, the economic environment and how international trade works will be covered.

Your learning experience is designed to stretch you to achieve your best and to develop skills for your future career. You will put the skills you learn into practice – getting involved in practical work in small groups, making presentations, and participating in live projects with employers.

We have fantastic, state of the art resources! You will be taught in well-equipped classrooms, with interactive whiteboards and the latest technology, including class ipads and our virtual learning environment. We have a very well equipped Learning Resource Centre with plenty of PCs for independent study and amazing library facilities. All the staff who teach you engage in commercial upskilling every year with external companies, so that their skills are up to date and ensures that their teaching is current. Good English and Maths skills are essential for success in studying and for future employment prospects and so Croydon College ensures that these skills are developed in all learning opportunities.

Employer Links and Live Briefs/Projects:

A key distinguishing feature of the college is our links with employers and the ways in which we incorporate this into your learning. There is a rich variety of work and employer engagement opportunities provided for you through live briefs, trips, competitions, and placements. You will also benefit from employers attending our popular employability events and you can discuss Apprenticeships and progression opportunities in our Employability Hub or in the Apprenticeship Office.

You will have the opportunity to:

Participate in employer-led seminars (which have recently involved Google, CIMA, and a BBC Dragon’s Den Dragon).

Competitions:

You will have the chance to compete in skills competitions, both locally and regionally. This year finance students participated in the ICAEW BASE National Business and Accounting competition and achieved a ‘runners up’ position for the London South East Region.

Curriculum Enhancement:

You will have a wide and rich range of complementary opportunities to enhance your career options. As well as regular CV, career development, and UCAS support from the lecturers and the college’s Employability Hub, you will also engage in mock interviews and will be encouraged to gain employment experience.

There are visits from universities, visits to University Conventions and university Open Days. The College has its own University Centre so you also have the opportunity to engage with university students, some of whom provide mentoring.

Future progression includes:

Accounting

Insurance

Banking

Human resources

Marketing

Sales

Starting your own business

Starting Higher Education

This course is ideal if you enjoy course work and is particularly attractive to those who prefer modular based learning.

Four GCSEs at grades 9-4/A*-C OR A related Level 2 vocational course at Merit or higher (if a pass grade is achieved GCSE grades and/or functional skills results may also be considered);

AND;

Including a GCSE at grade 9-4/A*-C (or equivalent) in English or Mathematics OR English and Mathematics assessed at Level 1 or above by College assessment.

A satisfactory reference may also be requested.