
Skills for Business - Level 2
Start Date: 6th September 2021

- Length 1 year
- Study Full-Time
- Location Rye Hill Campus
Qualification Gained
Level 3 NCFE Foundation Diploma in Business or Level 3 NCFE Extended Diploma in Business
Levels ExplainedMore about the course
Do you dream of being your own boss? Like the idea of running your own business? Or how about leading a successful team?
This business course will help you develop the skills and understanding you need to work in any business environment, whether your goal is management, human resources, finance, marketing or running a company.
You will gain an understanding of all aspects of a successful business and learn how to create a business plan, set up a small business and develop key skills such as managing, accounting and retailing.
Developed with employers including Tesco and Barclays, you will benefit from industry links and have the opportunity to complete a work placement.
Entry requirements
This is a two-year course that leads to a Level 3 Diploma or a Level 3 Extended Diploma. You will be placed on a programme depending on your grades.
Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Business
- 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above
Including: - GCSE grade 3 in English or maths
- GCSE grade 4 in English or maths
Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business
- 5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English and maths
What will I achieve?
This is a two-year programme. You will achieve a qualification after successful completion of each year.
In year one you will receive either a Level 3 Extended Certificate in Business or a Level 3 Diploma in Business.
In year two you will receive either a Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Business or a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business.
What will I learn?
- Exploring business
- Developing a marketing campaign
- Personal and business finance
- Managing an event
- International business
- Principles of management
- Business decision making
How is the course taught?
- Workshops
- Seminars
- Group work
- Guided independent study
How am I assessed?
- Report writing
- Presentations
- Assignments
- Controlled assessments
- TED Talks
- Practical activities
Work experience opportunities
Business students have the opportunity to complete work experience within a local business and as part of our annual Industry Week, you will work on live briefs from an employer such as Barclays to support finance, marketing or operational plans.
You will also attend guest lectures which have recently included Beamish Museum, Tesco, Brewin Dolphin, Aesthetically Trained and independent journalists.
English and Maths
If you do not hold GCSE grade 4 maths and English, you will be supported with dedicated lessons to help you achieve these.
English and maths will be embedded into your course to help you develop the skills needed in your career. You may explore maths through topics such as accounting and finance, budgeting, the impact of inflation and taxation.
Where can I progress?
You can progress to the FdA in Business Management when you successfully complete this course.
Alternatively, you could progress into industry and work in entry level roles within key business areas such as human resources, finance, marketing or retail.
Course costs
If you are aged 16-18 when you begin your course you are likely to be eligible for free tuition. Detailed information can be found within the financial support section.
If you are aged 19+ the cost of the course will depend on your circumstances. Our support pages can help you determine your suitability.
Get In Touch
Meet our staff and students

Alexander Hodgson
Level 3 in Business"As part of my course, during industry week I was involved in a project with Blue Kangaroo, to increase their social media following with only £150 investment. Our pitch got great feedback and was chosen. A really confidence booster. "

Mike Cotton
Programme Leader - Business"As part of the Graduate Management Programme with Intercontinental Group I travelled across the UK as part of their Senior Management Team. I am passionate about customer service and ethical management techniques and always keep up to date with developments within Retail and Hospitality. Keeping abreast of what is happening in industry is key to making my lessons relevant. I love to see our students succeed, it’s the reason I teach! I am always very proud of our students."

Alex Graham
Level 3 in Business"I like college because there aren’t any exams and the classes are smaller. You are treated like an adult and you have more flexibility in your studies. I feel trusted to get on with and manage our own workload."

Stuart Climson
Lecturer - Business"I have a passion for teaching and enjoy being a part of our student’s success. We have some great opportunities within the Business department. I particularly enjoy our away days with students, working on planning, team building and developing confidence. My job makes me feel very fulfilled, not just seeing our students being successful on their course but getting them work ready."

Matthew Fairgreave
Level 3 in Business"The classroom atmosphere is relaxed, you're able to have a laugh and a joke it’s a nice environment to learn in. My highlight so far though has been my work placement at an accountancy firm, I am really enjoying it."

Helen Noble
BA (Hons) Business Management (Leadership) (Top-Up)"I think my degree has set me up for employment very well. The modules we cover are relevant to industry. The skills we gain from our studies are invaluable as they can be used in all aspects of the working environment."
Business at Newcastle College

What can I do with a qualification in Business?
Daily tasks:
- Assesses and advises on factors affecting business performance.
- Determines staffing levels appropriate for accounting activities.
- Plans external and internal audit programmes, arranges for the collection and analysis of accounting, budgetary and related information, and manages the company.
- Participates in the formulation of strategic and long-term business plans, assesses the implications for the organisation financial mechanisms and oversees their implementation.
Daily tasks:
- Produces and/or assesses reports and recommendations concerning marketing and sales strategies.
- Controls the recruitment and training of staff.
- Examines and analyses sales figures, advises on and monitors marketing campaigns and promotional activities.
- Discusses employer.
- Liaises with other senior staff to determine the range of goods or services to be sold.
Daily tasks:
- Stays abreast of and ensures adherence to relevant legislation regarding tendering and procurement procedures.
- Researches and identifies new products and suppliers.
- Interviews suppliers.
- Arranges for quality checks of incoming goods and ensures suppliers deliver on time.
- Negotiates prices and contracts with suppliers and draws up contract documents.
- Devises purchasing policies, decides on whether orders should be put out to tender and evaluates suppliers.
- Determines what goods, services and equipment need to be sourced.
Daily tasks:
- Directs the arranging of conferences, exhibitions, seminars, etc. to promote the image of a product, service or organisation.
- Stays abreast of changes in media, readership or viewing figures and advertising rates.
- Reviews and revises campaign strategy in light of sales figures, surveys, etc. and takes appropriate corrective measures if necessary.
- Conceives advertising campaign to impart the desired product image in an effective and economical way.
- Defines target group and implements strategy through appropriate media planning work.
- Liaises with client to discuss product/service to be marketed and develops the most appropriate strategy to deliver the objectives.
Daily tasks:
- Stays abreast of relevant legislation, considers its impact on the organisation.
- Considers alternative work procedures to improve productivity.
- Examines and reports on company and departmental structures, chains of command, information flows, etc. and evaluates efficiency of existing operations.
- Develops and administers salary, health and safety and promotion policies.
- Undertakes industrial relations negotiations with employees.
- Provides or arranges for provision of training courses.
- Oversees the monitoring of employee performance and career development needs.
- Oversees the preparation of job descriptions, drafts advertisements and interviews candidates.
- Determines staffing needs.
Daily tasks:
- Ensures compliance with the statutory regulatory framework.
- Preparing general reports and briefs on more complex cases for senior management.
- Promotes financial services, establishes contact with the local business community and professional firms.
- Authorises loans and mortgages in accordance with bank or building society policy.
- Verifies that accounting, recording and information storage and retrieval procedures are adhered to.
- Plans, organises, directs and co-ordinates the activities of financial institutions.
Daily tasks:
- Examines quality of merchandise and ensures that effective use is made of advertising and display facilities.
- Authorises payment for supplies received and decides on vending price, discount rates and credit terms.
- Oversees the maintenance of financial and other records and controls security arrangements for the premises.
- Ensures customer complaints and queries regarding sales and service are appropriately handled.
- Ensures that adequate reserves of merchandise are held and that stock keeping is carried out efficiently.
- Liaises with other staff to provide information about merchandise, special promotions etc. to customers.
- Appoints staff, assigns tasks and monitors and reviews staff performance.
Daily tasks:
- Arranges for payment of bills, keeps accounts and ensures adherence to licensing and other statutory regulations.
- Approves and arranges shipboard entertainment and shore trips and liaises with ship.
- Ensures physical comfort of residents or passengers and makes special arrangements for children, the elderly and the infirm if required.
- Determines financial, staffing, material and other short- and long-term needs.
- Analyses demand and decides on type, standard and cost of services to be offered.
Daily tasks:
- Examines quality of merchandise and ensures that effective use is made of advertising and display facilities.
- Authorises payment for supplies received and decides on vending price and credit terms.
- Maintains financial and other shop records and controls security arrangements for the premises.
- Ensures that adequate reserves of merchandise are held and orders new stock as required.
- Provides information about merchandise to staff and customers and ensures customer complaints are appropriately dealt with.
- Oversees staff training, rotas and the allocation of work.
- Determines staffing, financial, material and other short- and long-term requirements.
- Defines the market position for the business, decides what to sell, forecasts demand and develops the brand image of the business.
Daily tasks:
- Conducts investigations and advises management on financial aspects of productivity, stock holding, sales, new products, etc.
- Prepares periodic accounts, budgetary reviews and financial forecasts.
- Liaises with management and other professionals to compile budgets and other costs.
- Evaluates financial information for management purposes.
- Conducts financial investigations concerning insolvency, fraud, possible mergers, etc..
- Prepares tax returns, advises on tax problems and contests disputed claim before tax official.
- Audits accounts and book-keeping records.
- Prepares financial documents and reports for management, shareholders, statutory or other bodies.
- Plans and oversees implementation of accountancy system and policies.
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