Course summary

"The purpose of Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business is to develop students as independent-thinking professionals who can meet the demands of business employers and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualifications aim to widen access to higher education and improve the career prospects of those who take them. The aims of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Business are: ● to develop students the business skills, knowledge and understanding they need to achieve high performance in the international business environment ● to develop students with enquiring minds, who have the abilities and confidence to work across different business functions and to lead, manage, respond to change, and tackle a range of complex business situations ● to provide the core skills required for a range of careers in business, including management, human resources, marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance ● to offer a balance between employability skills and the knowledge essential for students with entrepreneurial, employment or academic ambitions ● to develop students’ understanding of the major impact that new digital technologies have on the business environment ● to provide insight into international business operations and the opportunities and challenges presented by a global marketplace ● to equip students with knowledge and understanding of culturally diverse organisations, cross-cultural issues, diversity and values, and to allow flexible study to meet local and specialist needs.The Level 4 units lay the foundations of learning by providing a broad introduction to business and different business functions. This develops and strengthens core skills while preparing the student for specialist subjects at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility. Students will gain a wide range of business knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop vocational behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for a competence) and transferable skills. Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in higher education and the workplace. The Level 5 units give students the opportunity to specialise in a business-related occupational area and to progress to degree-level study. The units prepare students to move on to specific areas of business at Level 6 or to enter employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require personal responsibility and decision-making. Students will be able to develop and apply their own ideas to their studies, to deal with uncertainty and complexity, to explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation and use both theory and practice in a wide range of business situations. By the end of Level 5, students will have a sound understanding of the principles in their area of specialist study and will know how to apply those principles more widely in the business world. They will be able to perform effectively in their specialist area.