Business Studies Diploma Level 3

Course Synopsis
This Ascentis Quality Assured Level 3 Professional Diploma course has been designed to provide students with an understanding of how businesses work; how the world around them affects decision-making within a business; what leads to change and how businesses respond to these issues; and the range of perspectives that can be taken on business activities.

It also helps develop a range of important and transferable skills: data skills; presenting arguments and making recommendations on the basis of the available evidence; and problem solving.

Students will study a broad variety of business related topics ranging from finance to operations management to provide them with a sound understanding of the subject. This course is ideal for those hoping to study a business related course at higher or further education.

All of the modules have references to the textbook (non compulsory) and selected websites. At the end of each lesson is a set of self assessed examination preparation questions to help prepare for the final examination. After studying the module you should be able to answer these questions. If you struggle with any of them, go back and re-read the relevant section.

Course Content
The course is broken down into ten modules as follows:

Module One - Starting a Business
•Enterprise
•Generating and protecting business ideas
•Transforming resources into goods and services
•Developing business plans
•Conducting start up market research
•Understanding markets
•Choosing the right legal structure for the business
•Raising finance
•Locating the business
•Employing people

Module Two - Financial Planning
•Calculating costs
•Using Break-even analysis to make decisions
•Using cash flow forecasting
•Setting budgets
•Assessing business start- ups

Module Three - Finance
•Using budgets
•Improving cash flow
•Measuring and increasing profit

Module Four - People in Business
•Organisational structures
•Measuring the effectiveness of the workforce
•Developing an effective workforce
•Motivating employees

Module Five - Operations Management
•Making operational decisions
•Developing quality
•Customer service
•Working with suppliers
•Using technology in operations

Module Six - Marketing and the Competitive Market
•Effective marketing
•Designing the marketing mix
•Marketing mix: product
•Marketing mix: promotion
•Marketing mix: pricing
•Marketing mix: place
•Marketing and competitiveness

Module Seven - Marketing Strategies and Operations Management
•Understanding marketing objectives
•Analysing markets
•Selecting marketing strategies
•Developing marketing plans
•Understanding operational objectives
•Operational strategies: scale and resource
•Operational strategies: innovation
•Operational strategies: location
•Operational strategies: lean production

Module Eight - Human Strategies, Financial Strategies and Accounts
•HR objectives and strategies
•Developing and implementing workforce plans
•Competitive organisational structures
•Effective employee/employer relations

Module Nine - The Business Environment
•Businesses and economics
•Businesses and the political and legal environment
•Businesses and the social environment
•Businesses and the technological environment
•Businesses and the competitive environment

Module Ten - Managing Change
•Internal causes of change
•Planning for change
•Key influences on change
•Making strategic decisions
•Implementing and managing change

Entry Requirements
All students must per 16 years of age and above.

Study Hours
Approximately 40 hours per unit

Assessment Method
Final online multiple choice examination.

Please note that you can enrol on this course at anytime.

Award
Level 3 Diploma in Business Studies

This course is Quality Assured by Ascentis
 
Additional Information
This is a dual certification course. You will receive a certificate from both the College and also the National Awarding body Ascentis. Fees for both are included in the course fee.

The course can be enrolled upon by students Internationally. There are no deadlines for enrolments.

What's Included
All study materials to enable the student to successfully complete the Diploma. Support is provided by the tutor department. Examination board certification upon completion. All examination fees.

Further Information
Your course is in a paper file format, and your materials are delivered via courier.

Please note that included in your course fee is your registration to the On Campus student community.

You will require having one of the following packages to access your On Campus area:

Windows: Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
Macintosh: Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above
In the student 'On Campus' you are also able to take part in the student chat room and forums as part of our online student community.

After enrolling online you will receive your username and password to access the On Campus area within 5 working days. You will also receive your personal Oxford student number via email.

The breakdown of your student fees is as follows: £20.00 for support, £5.00 for administration for the On Campus area inclusive of VAT at standard rate, and the remainder of the course fee is for course materials which are zero rated.

Courier fees are included free of charge, and there is a courier charge for packages sent outside of the UK. Packages sent within the EU £42.00, Packages to rest of world £52.00.