Birkenhead Sixth Form College

Business BTEC Level 2 Diploma

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for this course – it is likely that you have a combination of C’s and D’s at GCSE level. You do not need to have studied Business in the past to do this course.

About the Subject

Business Studies gives you the opportunity to learn how organisations operate in theory and how they function in practice. You will learn about the key areas of running a business and making business decisions.

You will encounter a variety of different tasks and learning approaches. You will acquire your basic knowledge through combinations of class notes, case studies, videos, TV and practical exercises. You will learn how to apply this knowledge and make business decisions through case study materials, visits and speakers.

The Level 2 BTEC Diploma is a vocational alternative to GCSEs. BTECs have been introduced to enable students to follow a vocational, or career-related, course after the age of 16 instead of just the traditional academic school subjects. The BTEC Diploma qualification is equivalent to 4 GCSE grades A* - C. At the end of the course you will graded at either a pass, merit or distinction level.

During the course you will investigate a wide range of areas – finance, people in business, marketing and customer services.

General Information

The course focuses on skills development, this means that you will learn how to manage your time, prioritise activities, prepare reports and presentations, use initiative and creativity skills, work in teams, investigate and research different businesses and discuss business problems. You will also visit businesses to find out to find out how
they operate.

All of your work will be marked by your teachers and then sent off the exam board to be moderated by an external examiner. Therefore this course appeals to students who prefer coursework rather than exams.

During the year you will also be involved in work experience that will last for one week.This will give you some practical experience of the world of business. The Level 2 BTEC Diploma includes the following topics:

Unit 1: Business Purposes – The nature of business organisations and the environment in which they operate.

Unit 2: Business Organisations - Business Aims and Objectives and how they are organised into Functional Areas.

Unit 3: Financial Forecasting – Financial aspects related to running a business.

Unit 15: Bookkeeping for Business – Methods and documents commonly used in business for recording sales transactions and bookkeeping; and how these methods can help to prevent fraud.

Unit 20: Managing Personal Finances - Skills and knowledge for management of personal finances and to be able to plan for a secure future.

Unit 9: Training & Employment in Business – The rights and responsibilities on businesses and employees.  In addition to the importance and benefits of motivation and training of employees.

Unit 19: The Marketing Plan – Developing marketing and promotion plans for business.

Unit 7: Verbal and Non Verbal Communications in Business - Developing the ability to use verbal and non-verbal communications in a workplace setting.

Unit 10: Personal Selling in Business – To demonstrate and develop knowledge and an understanding of the role of personal selling activities in business. 

Unit 11: Customer Relations in Business – The importance of providing excellent customer service, how to do this and how it can be monitored and evaluated.

Unit 4 People in Organisations – Studying job roles and functions within businesses and how to prepare for employment.
 

What Next?

You can progress onto the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma or AS Applied Business course (coursework based). This can then lead onto Higher Education or employment.

Business Studies is always a useful subject, as most people will either end up working in a business or running their own. This course will give you a good grounding in becoming a manager or owning your own business.