of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Course Level
Level 3
Duration
2 years full-time
Placement
Included in course
Entry
September (2021)
Fees
View Fees
Ever-changing nature of the industry means hugely varied and rewarding career opportunities
Learn from expert lecturers with a wide range of business experience
Banking and financial services contribute billions to the UK economy each year. If you want to develop your core knowledge of business and management of company finances, our Business and Finance college course will give you an ideal foundation to pursue a career in these fields, as well as a pathway into further study at degree level.
Featuring work placements and industry visits, this finance and business course will give you a strong grounding in general business management, introducing you to financial products and services, principles and ethics in order to give you an edge in your future career, as well as the knowledge and skills you need to manage your own finances. You will also be able to specialise in particular areas, such as marketing, human resources or accounting.
Our Business and Finance course is a BTEC National, widely recognised by both industry and higher education as the signature Level 3 vocational qualification. It will give you the blend of technical and academic skills needed to become the kind of highly-skilled, work-ready individual sought after by employers and universities. You will enrol on the National Foundation Diploma (equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels) in year 1 before progressing onto the National Extended Diploma (equivalent to 3 A-Levels).
Why choose this college course?
- WORK PLACEMENT – Give your CV a huge boost by gaining real-life industry experience on a weekly work placement throughout your course
- BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Gain knowledge in accounting and finance as well as high-level skills such as teamwork, presentation and creative thinking
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to continue your learning journey after college? Progress your training to degree level on our wide range of university business courses
Course breakdown
Topics you will study:
Year 1
- Recording Financial Transactions
- Effective Management of Personal Debt
- Personal and Business Finance
- Exploring Business
- Developing a Marketing Campaign
- Managing an Event
Year 2
- Cost and Management Accounting
- Final Accounts for Public Limited Companies
- Legal Principles and Professional Ethics in Financial Services
- Principles of Management
- Business Decision Making
- International Business
- Financial Statements for Specific Businesses
You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.
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
- Calculating production costs, including materials, machinery, labour, expenses and marketing
- Working out the price of goods so you can stay in profit
- Running a payroll system to ensure workers get paid correctly
- Ordering goods and services
- Working out your business accounts
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 or understanding the ideas, aspirations and demands of colleagues and competitors
- English is important when preparing a CV or business proposal, and for putting together advertising and marketing plans for your business
Entry requirements
- Normally, you will require a minimum of 4 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above (including maths and English), or a BTEC Level 2 Diploma.
- Alternatively, you will require at least 2 years’ relevant work experience.
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance.
- You should be committed, enthusiastic and have a desire to succeed in the business and finance industry.
If you do not have a grade 4/C or above in English and/or maths and you are under 19, you will be required to complete an assessment so we can ensure you receive appropriate support.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed through coursework assignments and projects, some of which will involve industry-related visits and external assessment.
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.
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Work placements
Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our hired@UCB team can help find the ideal placement for you.
As part of this business college course, you will undertake a work placement each week during both the first and second year of the course.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Soho BID (Birmingham)
- 001 Inspiration (Birmingham)
- St Mary's Hospice Shop (Birmingham)
- Wolverhampton Art Gallery (Wolverhampton)
The connections the College has with businesses in Birmingham give students like me the chance to network with potential employers. Ultimately I want to become an entrepreneur, and the first-hand experience from my placement gave me the chance to see how business owners operate in order for their businesses to be successful.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Finance officer
Average Salary: £29,250
Accounting technician
Average Salary: £24,000
Business development manager
Average Salary: £42,500
Marketing executive
Average salary: £26,500 – £30,500
Advertising account executive
Average Salary: £35,000
Financial services customer adviser
Average Salary: £37,000
Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Finance and Accounting degree.
Keturah’s Story
Working for HSBC Bank for several years before moving into business management, Keturah can’t wait to pass on her vast knowledge.
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