Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business

Provided by Beacon International College


Course introduction

Introduction


The Higher National Diploma is designed to meet the following aims:
  • To provide an educational foundation for a range of business and management careers in business & finance
  • To provide specialised studies directly relevant to individual vocations and professions in which students are working or intend to seek employment
  • To enable students to make an immediate contribution in employment
  • To provide flexibility, knowledge, skills and motivation as a basis for career development and as a basis for progression to graduate and postgraduate studies
  • To develop students’ ability in business & finance through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the programme
  • To develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.

Course Syllabus/Content
The Higher National Diploma course comprises sixteen subject units of study to be taught in four semesters.

The subject units are as follows:

Level 1

- Marketing

This unit aims to provide learners with an introduction to the fundamental concepts and principles that underpin the marketing process. In addition, it examines the role and practice of marketing within the changing business environment. This broad-based unit will provide all learners with a concise and contemporary overview of marketing, and give them the knowledge and skills to underpin further study in the specialist field of marketing.

- Managing Financial Resources and Decisions

This unit is designed to give learners a broad understanding of the ways in which finance is managed within a business organisation. Learners will learn how to evaluate the different sources of finance, compare the ways in which these are used and will learn how to use financial information to make decisions. Included will be consideration of decisions relating to pricing and investment, as well as budgeting. Finally, learners will learn techniques for the evaluation of financial performance.

- Organisations and Behaviour

This unit provides an introduction to the nature of organisations in relation to management practices. The unit examines the internal nature of organisations from both a theoretical and practical viewpoint. The unit is intended to develop an understanding of the behaviour of people within organisations and the significance of organisational design and characteristics. It also aims to provide the basis for, and to underpin further study in, specialist areas of business.

- Business Environment

The aim of the unit is to encourage learners to identify the objectives of organisations and the influence of stakeholders. Learners are also encouraged to investigate the operation of organisations in relation to the local, national and global environment. The unit also provides learners with a solid base of understanding of the parameters within which organisations act that can be built upon in future units.

- Common Law I

The aim of this unit is to provide an introduction to the law of contract, with a particular focus on the formation and operation of a business contract. Learners are encouraged to explore the contents of such an agreement and, in particular, to appreciate the practical application of standard-form business contracts. Additionally, the unit enables learners to understand how the Law of Tort differs from the law of contract and examines the Tort of Negligence and issues of liability pertinent to business.

- Management Accounting: Costing and Budgeting

In this unit learners will consider cost information both current and future. Cost data will be collected, compiled and analysed, and will be processed into information of use to management. The unit goes on to deal with budgetary planning and control, preparing forecasts and budgets and then comparing them to actual results. Learners will consider different costing and budgetary systems and will discuss the causes of resulting variances.

- Information Systems

Organisations have always depended on information to ensure success. Over the years, organisations have changed their information systems from dealing purely with data processing to strategic and decision support. Managers need information to plan successfully in the short, medium and long term. It is also recognised nowadays that information is required at all levels in an organization and that information itself can have many sources. The importance of valid information in gaining competitive advantage needs to be stressed.

Learners will gain an understanding of the ways in which data can be processed and the applications that support organizations. They will also be asked to evaluate the capacity of an information system to satisfy the needs of the user.

- Human Resource Management

This unit provides an introduction to the concepts and practices of Human Resource Management within the United Kingdom. The aim of the unit is to provide an understanding of the human resource management role and function within the key areas of resourcing, reward, development and relations.

Level 2

- Business Decision Making

In business, good decision making requires the effective use of information. This unit gives learners the opportunity to examine a variety of sources and develop techniques for four aspects of information: data gathering, data storage, and the tools available to create useful information and present it.

Computers are used in business for much of this and thus the appreciation and use of appropriate IT software is central to the completion of this unit. Specifically, learners will use spreadsheets and other software for data analysis and the preparation of information. The use of spreadsheets for the manipulation of numbers, and understanding of how to apply the results, are seen as more important than the mathematical derivation of formula used. They will also gain an appreciation of information systems currently used at all levels in an organization as aids to decision making.

- Financial Reporting

In this unit learners will discover how to prepare financial statements for different types of business, taking into account the relevant legal and regulatory provisions. Included will be the basic principles of group accounts. Learners will also develop tools for the interpretation of financial statements.

- Financial Systems and Auditing

This unit examines the accounting and management control systems of a business. Learners will analyse these systems and evaluate their effectiveness, particularly in terms of controls and safeguards against error and fraud. The purpose and conduct of an audit will be covered, together with the process of audit reporting.

- Taxation

This unit considers the taxation of both individuals and limited companies. Learners will calculate taxable income and tax payable, allowing for different sources of income, relevant allowable expenditure, and applicable tax-free allowances. Income tax, corporation tax and capital gains tax are all covered.

- Business Strategy

The aim of this unit is to develop learners’ abilities to evaluate and select strategies appropriate to business organisations. This will involve analysis of the impacts of the external operating environment and the need to plan organisational strategies to ensure effective business performance.

- Advertising and Promotion

This unit is designed to provide learners with a comprehensive understanding of the key areas of advertising and promotion as part of an integrated approach to marketing communications. Learners will develop the ability to determine specific promotional activities in response to target audience and other stakeholders' characteristics, and to apply and justify appropriate promotional mixes within a strategic and tactical framework.

- Small Business Enterprise

The unit is primarily designed for learners who are interested in small business enterprises and looks at the development and expansion of such businesses. The unit will be particularly appropriate for Higher National Certificate learners who are involved in small business enterprises. The unit draws together many of the topics covered in other units and allows learners to practise the business skills required in a small business.

- Research Project

This unit is designed to introduce learners to the techniques and methods of research. The unit addresses a variety of research methodologies, including the opportunity to carry out interventionist or action research. Learners will be required to produce a project report based on independent research into an area of professional business practice that interests them and will add to their professional development. The study should use both primary and secondary sources of information, and should be an exploration of a current major issue. The study undertaken should build on knowledge, skills and understanding that have been achieved in other units. Tutor approval should be sought before commencing study.


Lectures/Tutorials

The course is mainly conducted in the classroom via face-to-face learning which encourages student-teacher interaction. Students are encouraged to attend field trips and bazaars organised by the school to encourage experiential learning.

Assessment

This course is assessed by outcome-based coursework which involves doing a report, presentation or project work.

Entry Requirements for Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business
  • Diploma
  • China Senior Secondary Year 3 AND IELTS 5.5 *
  • SMU 3 AND IELTS 5.5 *
  • GCE ‘A' levels - 2 passes
  • ITE Higher NITEC 2.5
  • STPM - 2 passes
  • Vietnam Grade 12 AND IELTS 5.5 *
  • Any other equivalent qualifications
*Those without IELTS 5.5 are required to attend an English Course at a fee.

Certification

Candidates who successfully complete all 16 units of this programme will be given the internationally recognised Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business in Singapore, awarded by Edexcel International (UK).

Course Schedule

This Edexcel BTEC Level 5 HND Diploma in Business Award takes approximately 960 hours excluding the development and implementation of coursework.

Full-time
  • 3 - 4 units per semester
  • Recommended Duration : 1½ years (Fast Track)
  • Recommended Duration : 2 years (Normal Track)

Part-time
  • 2 units per semester
  • Recommended Duration : 2 years 8 months

Class Size

Class size: Maximum 25 pax per class for practical and tutorial lessons
                 Maximum 35 pax for lecture


Upon completion of the course, the student should be able to:
  1. Utilize techniques and technology to address business problems and enable effective decision making
  2. Understand fundamental marketing concepts, key areas of advertising and promotion and present a credible marketing plan
  3. Understand the nature and issues of business environment, organisations and behaviours
  4. Explain the role and functions of management information systems in business operations
  5. Explain the functions, processes and information needs of organisations
  6. Understand personnel function of management and employment relationship within the organisat
  7. Understand the concepts, principles and techniques of financial systems and auditing
  8. Learn basic financial techniques used for decision making and prepare financial reports
  9. Understand basic principles of law relating to business and taxation for individuals and businesses
  10. Demonstrate problem-solving skills
  11. Demonstrate the ability to work independently as well as effectively as a member of a team



Fees & Funding

Please enquire below for course fees and financial grants:


 

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