Business Extended Certificate
Whether you dream of launching your own startup or climbing the corporate ladder at a global firm, BTEC Business provides the practical skills and theoretical knowledge to get you there. Unlike traditional routes that focus purely on exams, this course is designed for those who prefer learning by doing. Learners have the opportunity to sit 2 examined units alongside 2 coursework units which provides a more flexible option for our learners.
Taking this course will provide the learner with the ability to:-
- Critically assess how businesses operate. You will explore the DNA of different company structures – from startups to global conglomerates – and analyse the constantly changing external environment to discover why some businesses fail and others thrive.
- Understand how financial decisions shape a company’s future. You will be able to manipulate and present data to support your decision making.
- Develop a wide range of skills including decision-making, problem-solving, presentation and interpersonal skills.
- Acquire a toolkit of transferable knowledge and skills to prepare you for your next steps either into University, Apprenticeships or employment.
This course is designed for ambitious, self-motivated learners who thrive on variety. You should be someone who takes pride in building a professional portfolio through consistent, high-quality projects, while possessing the organisational skills required to prepare for examinations.
BTEC qualifications are graded at Distinction*, Distinction, Merit and Pass. In UCAS points, this is equivalent to A*, A, C and E.
Unit 1 – In this unit, you will investigate famous companies like Apple or Nike to see how they actually work. You’ll explore what makes a business successful, how they handle competition, and how they stay ahead of the game in a world that’s constantly changing.
Unit 2 – Marketing is much more than just cool adverts. In this unit, you’ll learn the secrets behind why we buy what we buy. You’ll be given a real business challenge and tasked with building your own campaign—from choosing the right social media platforms to picking the perfect price point.
Unit 3 – You’ll learn how to manage your own money (banking, credit, and savings) while also mastering the numbers that run a business. You’ll become experts on profit, loss, and budgets as well as calculating the financial ratios businesses use to judge their success.
Unit 8 – In this unit, you’ll step into the shoes of a manager to find and hire the best talent. You’ll get practical experience writing job adverts, CVs and application forms and even take part in mock interviews—skills that will give you a massive advantage when you start applying for your own dream jobs.
Choosing to study Business can open the door to an exciting range of careers including Events Management, Business Management, International Business, Human Resources, Law, Accounting and Administration. The majority of business students at Aquinas go on to study for a business-related degree. We have former students studying Business at Sheffield, Leeds, Manchester and Nottingham and many other universities.
This could lead you onto an Apprenticeship or University Degree.
The core skills required to succeed in Business, such as written and oral communication, analysis of data and evaluative skills are essential in the workplace. This course helps to develop these core skills.
The department takes part in a variety of subject and unit related trips, as well as providing industry insight from a range of guest speakers. There is the opportunity to get involved in the widely recognised Young Enterprise Competition, which provides hands-on experience of running a small business.
There is also an optional trip to New York for students studying subjects within the business department. For more information about this trip please see the Trips and Travel page.
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