(Equivalent in size to one A Level)

This qualification comprises of 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and two are externally assessed through examination.

The Extended Certificate is for learners who are interested in learning about the business sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in business-related subjects.  It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

 

 QUALIFICATION AT A GLANCE

UNIT  
Unit 1:

Exploring Business

 

Mandatory (Portfolio)

Completed in Year 13

In this unit, you will gain an overview of the key ingredients for business success, how businesses are organised, how they communicate, the characteristics of the environment in which they operate, and how this shapes them and their activities.

You will also look at the importance of innovation and enterprise to the success and survival of businesses, with the associated risks and benefits.

Unit 2:

Developing a Marketing Campaign

 

Mandatory (External)

Completed in Year 14

Marketing is a dynamic field central to the success of any business. You will gain an understanding of how a marketing campaign is developed.

You will explore different stages of the process that a business goes through when developing its campaign and develop your own campaign for a given product/service.  You will examine the marketing aims and   objectives for existing products/services and understand the importance of relevant, valid and appropriate research in relation to customers’ needs and wants.

You will use given market research data and other information to make recommendations about the type of marketing campaign that a business should undertake.

In this unit, you will draw on your learning from across your programme to complete the assessment task.

Unit 3:

Personal and Business Finance

 

Mandatory (External)

Completed in Year 13

This unit 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.

It is vital you understand the financial decisions you will need to take throughout your life and how risk can affect   you and your choices. This unit will also give you an insight into where you can get financial advice and support.

The business finance aspects of the unit introduce you to accounting terminology, the purpose and importance of business accounts and the different sources of finance available to businesses. Planning tools, such as cash flow forecasts and break-even, will be prepared and analysed.

Measuring the financial performance of a business will require you to prepare and analyse statements of comprehensive income and statements of financial position.

This unit will provide a foundation for a   number of other finance and business units and will help you to analyse profitability, liquidity and business efficiency. It will give you the knowledge and understanding to manage your personal finances and will give   you a background to business finance and accounting as you progress to employment or further training.

Unit 8:

Recruitment and Selection Process

 

Optional (Portfolio)

Completed in Year 14

 

Recruiting the right people is essential   to the success of a business. 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.

You will explore the various selection tools and the enhanced use of technology in this area. Businesses with an effective recruitment process in place are more likely to make successful appointments.  In a competitive labour market this is a major advantage and will support business success.

This unit gives you the opportunity, through role play, to take part in selection interviews.  They will need to be organised and prepared   so that they demonstrate your communication skills in this work-related competence.

This unit will give you a foundation for   progression to employment, for example in a human resources role, or to  higher education.

 

 

Externally Assessed units

Learners must achieve all external units at pass grade or above.  Learners are permitted to re-sit any external assessment only once during the 2year course.

The styles of external assessment used for qualifications in the Business suite are:

  • Examinations – all learners take the same assessment at the same time, normally with a written outcome.
  • Set tasks – learners take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task.

Internally Assessed Units      

Subject content will be taught using a range of teaching styles from group work, whole class teaching, guest speakers and visits.

Students will be issued with an assignment brief.  This will outline the tasks to be completed and relevant submission dates.

Students will work to complete the given tasks within the time-frame.  Students submit the work for tutor guidance.  The tutor at that time will inform the student of the criteria they have achieved and the criteria they have not achieved.  Work will be marked and students will be given this feedback.

 

Work is graded as follows:

BTEC Grading A Level Equivalent
Pass E
Merit C
Distinction A