ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION DIPLOMA
(BUSINESS)
Awarded by Ascentis
This course is subject to validation
24,000 Access to HE students are accepted at over 140 universities every year*
90% of graduates with Diploma were employed or in further study six months after graduating (2017/18)
Looking to break into the world of business? Are you keen to embark on a degree in this area but don’t currently meet the entry requirements for higher education? Our Access to Higher Education Diploma in Business will give you a grounding in this subject along with a widely recognised qualification (equivalent to A-Levels) that will enable you to advance to the next level of study.
Licensed by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), this is a Level 3 qualification designed for adult learners who are either returning to education or who left school without the necessary qualifications for undergraduate study. The Diploma in Business is designed to build both your academic skills and knowledge specific to the business arena. Alongside learning how to write essays or reports and prepare for exams, you will also study a wide range of business topics including marketing, finance, management and business strategy, as well as completing research projects.
Throughout the course, you will receive superb support from our dedicated team of expert tutors and support staff to aid your development. By completing this business diploma, you will gain a recognised Level 3 qualification that will help you progress to undergraduate study and future careers in a wide variety of areas, from marketing and retail or finance and accounting to law, human resources and management.
Why choose this college course?
- RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION – This Access to Higher Education Diploma will give you a nationally-recognised qualification to help meet the entry requirements for university
- BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Gain the necessary study skills and key knowledge for your chosen subject or career, as well as the independent learning skills needed for university study
- GREAT LEARNING SUPPORT – Enjoy a positive and supportive learning experience that will develop your skills and confidence to progress onto higher education
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Continue your learning journey to the next level at University College Birmingham, such as on our business or finance and accounting degrees
Our facilities
Students on our business courses at University College Birmingham enjoy a wealth of practical learning opportunities in our cutting-edge Financial Trading Suite on campus.
Our new Financial Trading Suite is one of the largest among all UK universities, providing practical training for students on our finance, accounting and business courses
The Financial Trading Suite features 21 workstations, two large wall screens and a scrolling ticker providing real-time global market information
Our Financial Trading Suite is the first university trading suite in the country to be powered by Infront Professional Terminal, offering unique benefits in using and sharing data
Course breakdown
Topics you will study
- Introduction to Business Studies
- Business and Organisation Structures
- Principles of Business Strategy
- Business Studies Research Project
- Introduction to Marketing
- Principles of Marketing Strategy
- Marketing Research Project
- Business Finance
- Cash Flow Forecasting
- Investigating Management
- Introduction to Economics
- Study Skills
- Further Study Skills
Maths and English
To help you secure your dream career, you will also continue developing your maths and English skills alongside your full-time course. If you haven’t achieved GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths at age 16, you will continue to study these through resits or taking Functional Skills at an appropriate level.
How maths will support your career
- Understanding business finance
- Processing of large quantities of data
- Presenting information
How English will support your career
- Good quality speaking and listening skills are needed when communicating with colleagues and customers.
- Customer service requires good English skills in speaking and written communication.
- Accurate reading is vital for following instructions, reading documents and emails, and understanding the ideas, aspirations and demands of colleagues and competitors.
- Your use of English is important when preparing a CV and a business proposal, and for putting together advertising and marketing plans for your business.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements - January 2021
Our Access to Higher Education Diploma course has been designed for students who have not had the opportunity to access higher education.
- Applicants must have at least three years’ life experience outside of formal education gained since completing formal education. Experience does not need to be in a subject-related field.
- Applicants must have a minimum of GCSE English Language and maths at grade 4 (grade C) or Functional Skills Level 2.
- Applicants will be required to also achieve a Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy initial assessments. These assessments will take place on campus for candidates who have been successful at interview.
- Applicants will also be required to submit a reference from a previous or current employment role.
Note; entry requirements for January differ from September entry requirement due to a shorter academic period and the intensity of the course. In addition, many undergraduate courses require applicants to have achieved GCSE Maths and English (or Functional Skills level 2) at the point of application.
Entry requirements - September 2021
Our Access to Higher Education Diploma course has been designed for students who have not had the opportunity to access higher education.
- Applicants must have at least three years’ life experience outside of formal education gained since completing formal education. Experience does not need to be in a subject-related field.
- Applicants must have a minimum of GCSE English Language or Maths at grade 4 (grade C) or Functional Skills Level 2.
- Applicants will be required to also achieve a Level 2 in Numeracy and Literacy initial assessments. These assessments will take place on campus for candidates who have been successful at interview.
- Applicants will also be required to submit a reference from a previous or current employment role.
Additional Information
There may be the opportunity to study either GCSE English Language/maths alongside the course as part of your studies.
If you choose to take advantage of this potential opportunity, please note that we cannot guarantee classes will fall within the 10am-3pm timetable.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed using a variety of methods including coursework assignments, examinations and projects.
Each unit can be assessed by one or more assignments. If you have achieved all of the Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria then you will pass the unit. It can then be graded, which allows for each unit to be achieved at Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Access to HE Diplomas are made up of 60 credits. 45 of these are at Level 3 and graded. The remaining 15 credits are not graded and may be at Level 2 or Level 3. You must successfully achieve 60 credits to be awarded a Diploma.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2015-2020.
Need some advice?
Our Schools Liaison team deliver drop-in sessions for you to ask any questions you have about college. Find out more here.
Access to Higher Education.
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
The Access to HE Diploma in Business is a fantastic opportunity to help you achieve the career you’ve always dreamed of. You will learn all about the world of business, including topics such as marketing, finance and management, as well as conducting research projects to apply your knowledge. This is a hugely rewarding course which will change your life as you gain the skills you need for your future.
Career opportunities
This course is designed to enable your progression onto higher education. Depending on entry requirements, you could continue onto a degree at University College Birmingham, such as Business Enterprise, Finance and Accounting, Digital Marketing or Marketing Management.
With further study, possible future career options open to you include:
Business analyst
Average Salary: £35,714
Accountant
Average Salary: £29,346
Marketing executive (graduate)
Average Salary: £37,500
Banker
Average Salary: £20,198
Project manager (graduate)
Average Salary: £39,197
HR adviser
Average Salary: £27,299
Note: The example roles and salaries are intended as a guide only.
Nav’s Story
Having delivered similar courses throughout the UK, Nav is a great believer in the life-changing potential of Access qualifications to give learners “a second chance”.
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