Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management)

This Course at a Glance

• Start a business career
• No experience required
• Go to university without A Levels
• Affordable payment plans available
• 100% online learning
• No exams

About your Diploma

There’s almost no end to the way you can work in business. From management to logistics and compliance, there are many avenues you can pursue that lead to well-paying careers. If you’ve ever considered working in this field, you might be unsure of which area is best for you. Thankfully, you don’t have to choose before you can get started.

By studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management), you can get a grounding in all aspects of successful business and management practices. It’s often too hard to make a call on your future when you don’t have experience of what your chosen field is like, which is why this course is designed to help you make an informed decision.

It allows you to study different aspects of business, from the economic environment to law and marketing. As well as review the key characteristics and range of styles of management that are employed in a modern-day workplace. You will get a detailed introduction to these areas and more, so you can find your feet and identify where you may like to focus your studies when you choose your degree.

Upon successful completion of this Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will be able to apply for a business or management-related degree without A Levels. This is because the qualification is a equivalent to 3 A Levels. What’s more, as it is studied completely online, you can get the qualification you need for university from the comfort of your own home.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK online learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management) is a nationally recognised Level 3 equivalent qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

You have up to two years to complete this course, but the flexibility of online learning means most of our students finish their Access to Higher Education Diploma within 9 months. So, you can study from the comfort of home and around your existing commitments.

You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.

*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.

Modules

Unit 1: Employment Law and Business

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the characteristics of different business organisations and the process of company and partnership formation
• Understand legal relationships associated with business operational activities

Unit 2: Introduction to Consumer Legislation

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to analyse the legislation which regulates contracts for the supply of goods and services
• Understand the legislation surrounding consumer protection in civil law
• Understand the legislation surrounding consumer protection in criminal law
• Understand manufacturers’ legal responsibilities under consumer legislation

Unit 3: Introduction to Market Structures

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand factors which influence market competition and pricing
• Be able to apply Porter’s ‘five forces’ model of market structure to the structures of two industries
• Understand the measurement of competition using concentration ratios
• Understand how organisations use non-price competition

Unit 4: Introduction to Marketing

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand marketing
• Understand the role product development and of market research in business
• Be able to evaluate the function of the marketing mix
• Understand the role and importance of marketing strategies

Unit 5: Introduction to Motivation and Teamwork in Organisations

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand motivation theories
• Understand the importance of team work in a business environment
• Understand the techniques of delegation in a business environment
• Understand the role, methods, and impact of training in business organisations

Unit 6: Introduction to Quality Management

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of quality management and how teams are involved in the quality process
• Understand quality systems
• Understand the requirements and importance of quality auditing
• Understand how to address issues identified by quality auditing

Unit 7: Introduction to the Business Environment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the structure and function of the national economy in the UK
• Understand the competitive business environment in which organisations function and how businesses may respond to this environment
• Understand different types of businesses
• Understand the various types of business objectives
• Understand key concepts in business strategy formulation

Unit 8: Management of Operations

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to evaluate the efficiency of a business
• Understand the term lean production

Unit 9: Planning for Business

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the importance of risk management to a business
• Be able to undertake a risk analysis on a chosen business
• Be able to develop forward financial projections for a business
• Be able to develop and evaluate a business plan

Unit 10: Allocation of Resources

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the important economic problem of scarcity resulting from infinite wants versus finite resources
• Understand the influence of changes in taste and fashion on price and consumer demand
• Understand the nature of market failure
• Understand why governments intervene to correct externalities, to influence the allocation of merit and demerit goods and to fund ‘public goods’

Unit 11: Introduction to Macro-Economics and Productivity

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand macro-economic and micro-economic analysis
• Understand the UK Government’s main economic policy objectives
• Understand how the UK Government manages the economy
• Be able to analyse the productivity of the UK economy against two other nations

Unit 12: Production of a Business Studies Research Project

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to identify and conduct a primary research project related to Business and Management
• Be able to write a report using data from research conducted related to Business
• Know how to use research skills applied to a Business Project

Unit 13: Exploring Business Management

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the different levels of Management in a business
• To be able to analyse the different styles of management in a business
• Understand the principles of change management
• Be able to evaluate the importance of information in decision making

Unit 14: Exploring Business Organisations

On completion of this unit you will:

• Understand the notion of a mixed economy in the UK
• Understand the legal and financial structure of organisations in the UK
• Be able to evaluate how business organisations grow in the UK
• Understand the importance of public sector organisations

Unit 15: Learning and Study Skills

On completion of this unit you will:

• Know how to plan and organise study activity
• Understand the application of learning theories relating to personal learning
• Be able to create a range of strategies to address the factors which may impact upon study
• Understand the value of assessment feedback

Unit 16: Planning and Writing an Assignment

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to select and assess appropriate source information in response to a task
• Be able to reference sources used in a recognised style
• Understand different reading strategies
• Be able to take effective notes
• Be able to plan, draft and produce a written assignment

Unit 17: Writing and Studying Academic Texts

On completion of this unit you will:

• Be able to write academically and with relevance
• Be able to interpret and express ideas in a piece of academic work
• Be able to analyse and summarise text, and appreciate the problems caused by plagiarism

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic poster, academic report, case study analysis, essay, business plan, written evaluation, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), research report, timed test, academic writing skills tasks

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 2 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Your work will be assessed through end of unit assignments. These will provide you with the opportunity to check up on your knowledge and advance. After each assignment, your tutor will offer feedback to help you not only progress further but also improve your skills. This Access to Higher Education Diploma is a Level 3 Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated qualification. To successfully achieve your qualification, you will need a total of 60 credits. Of these, 45 will come from graded units of academic content, while the following 15 will be drawn from ungraded units concerning study skills.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management), (QAA ref = 40014642), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Upon successful completion of this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management) you can get started in a career in business.

Many roles don’t require you to have qualifications, but business and management professionals who are qualified can pursue senior roles with more responsibility and a higher salary. With an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management), you could go on to study degrees in:

• Business Studies
• Management Studies
• Finance
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism
• Transport

With a business-related degree, just some of the many roles you could go onto work as include:

• Accountant
• Bank Manager
• Business Analyst
• Company Secretary
• Events Manager
• Financial Adviser
• Hotel Manager
• Human Resource Officer
• Investment Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Marketing Manager
• Operational Researcher
• Stockbroker

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Once you become a qualified business or management professional, you can continue your learning to help you progress in your career, move into a specialist area and command a higher wage. There are numerous online courses you can take to advance your knowledge in a convenient and efficient way.

Just some of the many leadership and management courses you could take include:

• Credit Management 
• E-Business Management
• European Hospitality Management
• Food and Beverages Management
• Information Resources Management
• Risk Management

Then to expand your knowledge in business, you could study:

• Business and the Environment
• Business Law
• Business Contracts
• Costing and Pricing
• Digital Networks and Digital Business
• E-Business Strategy

No matter the area of business or management you want to pursue, an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management) is the ideal platform to get you into the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions