About the course

1: Why choose a BTEC Higher National qualification in Business?

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

* 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

*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

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.

Units that have been attempted but not achieved, and subsequently granted compensation, will appear as ‘Unclassified’; i.e. a ‘U’ grade, on the student’s Notification of Performance, that is issued with the student certificate.

Points per credit

Pass: 4

Merit: 6

Distinction: 8

Point boundaries

8: What employment and further study opportunities could these qualifications lead to?

Having a BTEC HNC/ HND in Business allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study.

On successful completion of the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, students can develop their careers in the business sector through:

• Entering employment in job roles such as:
  • Business Manager
  • Business Development Manager
  • Business Advisor
  • Office Manager
• Continuing existing employment
• Linking with the appropriate Professional Body
• Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Progressing to university.

Successful completion of the BTEC HND is equivalent to completing the first two years of a Business-related honours degree at a UK university. The qualification is recognised by Higher Education providers (eg. universities) as meeting admission requirements to many relevant business-related courses, including, for example:

• BSc (Hons) in Business and Management
• BA and BSc (Hons) in Business Studies
• BSc (Hons) in International Management.

Students should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes at specific Higher Education providers where they wish to gain admission and ‘top-up’ their HND.

9: Entry requirements and admissions

The City College is required by Pearson to ensure that every student we enrol has a reasonable expectation of success on the programme. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

Applicants aged over 21 years at the start of their course and who have been out of education for at least three years are classed as ‘mature students’. The prior qualifications and/ or work experience of such applicants will be reviewed by the College to consider if their individual profile shows they have the potential to achieve the qualification. If we believe it does and all other requirements of the admissions process are met, such applicants may be enrolled.

For those who have recently been in education, the entry profile is likely to include one of the following:

• A relevant BTEC Level 3 qualification
• A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades A* to C and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in subjects such as Maths and English
• Other related Level 3 qualifications
• An Access to Higher Education Diploma awarded by an approved further education institution
• Related work experience
• An international equivalent of the above.

10: Application process

All applicants must first submit all relevant documents in the following checklist to the College with a completed application form:

• Completed Application form which has been signed at the back
• Passport size photo
• An up-to-date CV
• Passport or other official photo ID
• Qualification certificates
• Next of Kin/ emergency contact phone number and address
• Proof of address which includes your full name and current address.

After all the documents have been checked, the applicant must sit an entry test as part of the admissions process. If the test is passed, applicants are invited for interview. After the interview, all components of the process are considered, and the student will be informed of the decision, normally within 48 hours.

11: English language ability for non-native speakers (not born in the UK)

Non-native English speakers who have not undertaken their final two years of schooling in English, must demonstrate capability in English at Level 2 (or equivalent) before being admitted to the programme. Equivalent grades to Level 2 include CEFR B2, PTE 51, and IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5).

12: English language ability for non-native speakers who were taught in English for the final two years of school (or more)

Some applicants will not be native-speakers but will have studied the final two years of school in English (eg. those from West Africa).

13: Additional costs

It is vital that all students have their own up-to-date computer/ laptop and internet for blended learning/assessment/access to online college resources.

All applicants are advised that the fees paid cover the cost of tuition for programme delivery, but there may be additional costs to cover, for example, books if required, stationary, awarding body registration fees, professional body registration fees, and travel costs to events.