BTEC Higher National Certificate or Diploma in Business Management

Start On: 20/01/2025
Duration: HNC - 1 year Full-Time or HND - 2 years Full-Time
Level: HNC - LEVEL 4 CERTIFICATE or HND - LEVEL 5 DIPLOMA
Price: £6,165 / year

Bio:

The purpose of BTEC Higher National qualifications in Business is to develop students as professional, self-reflecting individuals who are able to meet the demands of employers in the business sector and adapt to a constantly changing world. BTEC Higher Nationals include a Level 4 Certificate (HNC) and a Level 5 Diploma (HND). The qualifications aim to widen access to higher education and enhance the career prospects of those who undertake them.

The BTEC Higher National qualifications are awarded by Pearson and The City College works in partnership with this organisation to deliver the programme. As the awarding organisation, Pearson has approved The City College to offer a variety of HND qualifications. The College’s management team is then responsible for ensuring that the quality of the provision offered meets Pearson’s exacting conditions and standards.

Quality is monitored regularly through visits from Pearson’s External Examiners and a regular Pearson Annual Management Review.

Key Information
Starting Dates: January / April / September
Mode of Study: Full-time
Duration: HNC – One year / HND – Two years
Awarding Body: Pearson
Award: BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
BTEC HND Diploma in Business & Management
Price: Full Time £6,165/year

  • STUDENT LOAN AVAILABLE *

2: Who are these qualifications for?

The BTEC HNC/ HND in Business is aimed at you if you want to continue your education through applied learning! Higher Nationals provide a wide-ranging study of the business sector and are designed for students who wish to pursue or advance their career in business.

In addition to the knowledge, understanding and skills that underpin the study of the business sector, Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business give students experience of the breadth and depth of the sector that will prepare them for further study or training.

3: Why choose BTEC?

BTECs are work-related qualifications for students taking their first steps into employment, or for those already in employment and seeking career development opportunities. BTECs provide progression into the workplace either directly or via study at university and are also designed to meet the needs of employers. Therefore, Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals are widely recognised by industry and higher education as the principal vocational qualification at Levels 4 and 5.

4: Aims of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business

Holders of the BTEC HNC/ HND in Business will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. They will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.

5: Programme structure

The normal timescale for achieving a Level 4 HNC by full-time study is one-year. The normal timescale for achieving a Level 5 HND by full-time study is two-years. Progression to Year 2 of the programme is dependent on satisfactory completion of Year 1.

The one-year Level 4 HNC:

  • Requires successful completion of 8 units

  • Mixes 6 core and 2 optional units, each with a value of 15 credits (120 total)

  • Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 1200 hours

  • Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 480 hours

  • The total independent learning hours for Higher National Certificate (HNC) is 720 hours

  • Follows the General Business pathway.

The two-year Level 5 HND:

  • Requires successful completion of a further 7 units (therefore 15 in total)

  • Mixes 2 core, 3 specialist and 2 optional units, each with a value of 15 credits except the Research Project which is 30 credits (240 total minimum)

  • Total Qualification Time (TQT) is 2400 hours

  • Total Guided Learning Hours (GLH) is 960 hours

  • The total independent learning hours for Higher National Diploma (HND) is 1,440 hours

  • Follows the Business Management specialist pathway.

TQT is an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required for a student to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. It can include, for example, guided learning, independent and unsupervised research/ learning, unsupervised coursework, watching a pre-recorded podcast or webinar, and unsupervised work-based learning.

GLH are defined as the time when a tutor is present to give specific guidance towards the learning aim being studied on a programme. This definition includes lectures, tutorials and supervised study in, for example, open learning centres and learning workshops. Guided Learning includes any supervised assessment activity; this includes invigilated examination and observed assessment and observed work-based practice.

Independent learning hours are the hours where a student is learning without the direct guidance of a member of centre staff. They are critical to the student’s ability to develop knowledge and skills, as well as providing them with the opportunity to develop key transferrable skills such as self-discipline, time management and self-motivation.

The 240 credits achieved by successful completion of the HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Business-related honours degree at a UK university (see section 8 below).

6: What is studied and how is it timetabled and assessed?

The academic year is divided into three terms and in each term you will normally be timetabled to study 2-3 units. You will usually be timetabled for at least three days per week and it must be noted that the timetable changes from term-to-term as the programme develops and units are completed.

A variety of forms of assessment evidence will be used, suited to the type of learning outcomes being assessed. Some units, for example, require a practical demonstration of skills while others require students to carry out their own research and analysis, working independently or as part of a team.

Methods of assessment may include, for example, writing a report or essay, recording an interview or role play, examination or in-class tests, giving a presentation with assessor questioning, making a PowerPoint presentation, creating academic posters, displays or leaflets, or keeping a reflective journal.

The specification below covers Higher Nationals in Business taught from the academic year Sept 2021-July 2022 to Sept 2025-July 2026.

Year 1
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business

UnitUnit TitleUnit LevelUnit Credit1Business and the Business Environment4152Marketing Process and Planning4153Human Resource Management4154Leadership and Management4155Accounting Principles4156Managing a Successful Business Project415

Two optional units at Level 4 which the College will choose from the list below:

UnitUnit TitleUnit LevelUnit Credit7Business Law4159Entrepreneurial Ventures41516Managing the Customer Experience41517Professional Identity and Practice415

If you are an applicant who completed the Higher National Certificate between the academic year Sep 2016- July 2017 to Sept 2020-July 2021 and wants to do the Higher National Diploma, please get in touch for further advice.

Year 2

Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business (Management)

UnitUnit TitleUnit LevelUnit Credit19Research Project (Pearson Set)53020Organisational Behaviour515

Specialist unit

UnitUnit TitleUnit LevelUnit Credit24Understanding and Leading Change51525Global Business Environment51526Principles of Operations Management515

Two optional units at Level 5

UnitUnit TitleUnit LevelUnit Credit21Financial Reporting51527Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities51543Business Strategy515

7: Calculation of the overall qualification grade

The calculation of the overall qualification grade is based on the student’s performance in all units. Students are awarded a Pass, Merit or Distinction qualification grade using the points gained through all 120 credits, at Level 4 for the HNC or Level 5 for the HND, based on unit achievement. The overall qualification grade is calculated in the same way for the HNC and for the HND.

All units in valid combination must have been attempted for each qualification. All 120 credits count in calculating the grade (at each level, as applicable).

The overall qualification grade for the HND will be calculated based on student performance in Level 5 units only.

The overall qualification grade for the HNC will be calculated based on student performance in Level 4 units only.

Each unit has a number of points attached to each grade:

GradePoints per CreditPass12Merit16Distinction20

8: Progression opportunities

Higher National qualifications are widely recognised by employers and universities. Many students use a Higher National Certificate or Diploma as the basis for continuing their education at university. The BTEC Level 5 HND in Business qualification is recognised by universities as being equivalent to the first two years of a Business-related Bachelor degree course. Many students use the BTEC Level 5 HND to gain entry to the final year of an honours degree course in a related subject at university.

9: Career opportunities

This qualification prepares students for employment in Business Management roles including: Business Manager, Business Development Manager, Business Advisor, and Office Manager.

10: Entry requirements

  • Mature learners aged 21+ who have been out of education for 3+ years must have achieved at least a Level 1 qualification or equivalent.

  • Applicants under 21 must have Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications or equivalent qualifications (e.g., BTEC Level 3 in Business, relevant GCSEs or Access to HE Diploma).

  • All applicants will be interviewed and required to take an English entry test.

  • Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to show evidence of English language ability equivalent to IELTS 5.5 or above.

  • Candidates will be expected to provide academic transcripts and qualification certificates, references, a personal statement and CV, and proof of address.

11: How to apply

Applications must be made online. Applicants are required to submit:

  • Passport size photograph

  • CV

  • Photo ID (passport or equivalent)

  • Qualification certificates

  • Proof of address

  • Emergency contact details

Applicants will be invited for interview and English language assessment.

12: Additional information

Students are expected to have access to a personal computer or laptop and have access to reliable internet. Additional costs may include textbooks, stationery, awarding body registration fees, and travel for visits and events.