This Distance Learning course is accredited by the Skills and Education Group (SEG).
The Access to Higher Education Diploma in Business is a Level 3 qualification designed to equip you with the credentials needed to progress to university-level study in Business related subjects. Equivalent to three A-Levels, it is tailored for individuals who left school without the necessary qualifications or those returning to education after an extended break.
Throughout the course, you will develop essential academic skills, including note-taking, essay writing, research techniques, time management, exam preparation, and oral presentation delivery, ensuring you are well-prepared for university-level study.
The program is structured to provide you with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to pursue further study in business. It focuses on helping you understand and become competent in critical areas such as marketing, finance, operations, management, and strategy. You will delve into the principles of management, marketing, economics, and business law, gaining a broad understanding of how modern organisations function.
By the end of the course, you will have a clear understanding of the areas of business that interest you most, enabling you to make an informed decision about your future degree and career path.
This Access to HE Diploma can be started at any point throughout the year, and takes approximately 9-12 months to complete; this means it does not necessarily follow the standard academic year. If you start the course later than September, it is unlikely you will meet the January UCAS deadline to start at university that September.
You will need:
- GCSE grade 4 or above for both English and maths
or - A relevant Level 2 qualification and Functional Skills in English and maths at Level 2*
You will also have an online assessment and interview with our course tutors before completing your enrolment, so we can ensure the course is right for you.
*Some universities do not accept Functional Skills and require GCSEs - please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply.
The assessment process for this course is ongoing and designed to evaluate your progress throughout the year. It includes a combination of:
- Assignments
- Tests
- Exams
Each unit of the course is modular, promoting manageable, bite-sized learning. Every unit consists of smaller components called Assessment Criteria. At the end of each unit, you will complete an assignment, which is reviewed by your personal tutor. Your tutor will provide constructive feedback, highlighting strengths and offering guidance on areas for improvement to help you surpass your expectations.
All assessments are designed by your tutors and externally moderated by SEGA to maintain quality and fairness.
After completing your Access to HE course, you will be able to:
- Apply for a business-related degree at university*
- Progress directly into employment in the business sector
*Please check the entry requirements of your chosen course and universities to ensure you will be eligible to apply, as these can vary between institutions, even for similar courses.
Topics you will study include:
Academic Writing Skills:
- Be able to structure a written response
- Be able to develop a structured response to a plan
- Be able to present the response appropriately for audience and purpose
- Understand how to apply academic writing principles to own work
Reading and Note Making:
- Understand a range of reading strategies
- Understand the use of language in terms of the purpose and context of a range of texts
- Be able to use methods for developing notes from a range of sources
The Safe and Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence:
- Understand the principles of safe and ethical use of generative AI in own subject area
- Be able to evaluate the use of generative AI tools or resources with regard to academic integrity
- Be able to evaluate safe and ethical practices in using generative AI in own subject
Business Structures:
- Know the various structures a business can take
- Understand the legal requirements for the formation of a business
- Understand the benefits of various business structures
IT in Organisations:
- Understand the impact of developments in information technology on organisations
- Understand legal and ethical issues and constraints relating to the use of information in organisations
- Understand policies for the use of information technology in organisations
Principles of Management:
- Understand historical development of management theory
- Understand management roles and responsibilities
- Understand management styles
- Understand how groups form and evolve
- Understand decision making processes
- Understand strategies for conflict management
- Understand strategies for the management of change
Customer Service:
- Understand customer service skills
- Understand how to achieve effective customer relations
- Understand how organisations adapt to meet differing customer needs and wants
Consumer Law:
- Know the law relating to the supply and sale of goods and services
- Know the law on Exclusions Clauses
- Know other important aspects of consumer protection legislation and regulation
The Economic Environment:
- Understand how national income is measured and describe the shortcomings of official national income statistics
- Understand the different phases of the business cycle and explain the main determinants of these
- Understand the main government economic objectives and explain possible conflicts which may arise when governments attempt to achieve these objectives
- Understand the effects of economic policy tools on the workings of the UK economy
- Understand the impact of economic trends in the UK on employment and GDP
Principles of Marketing:
- Understand the principles of marketing and marketing management
- Understand the main methods of market research
- Understand the role of 'place' in the marketing mix
- Understand the methods of market segmentation, targeting and positioning
- Understand the different pricing strategies
- Understand elements of the promotional mix and their importance to the organisation
- Understand the product life cycle and relate the marketing mix to different stages of it
Principles of Leadership:
- Understand the key characteristics and skills of an effective leader
- Understand how leaders motivate their teams
- Understand the relationship between leader and team member
Employment Law:
- Understand the relationship between leader and team member
- Know how contracts of employment are terminated
Research Skills: Project
- Understand how to construct a testable hypothesis
- Understand how to design an appropriate research study to address a specific research question
- Understand the importance of ethical considerations when conducting research
- Be able to collect and analyse data relevant to the research project
- Understand how to present, interpret and evaluate the results of a research project
- Be able to report a research project using standard formats
International Trade and Development:
- Understand the reasons for international trade
- Know patterns of trade in the global economy
- Understand how exchange rates are determined
- Know the barriers to economic development in selected developing countries
Budgeting:
- Understand budgeting principles
- Be able to evaluate the effectiveness of a developed budget
- Understand performance-based budgeting
In addition to the qualification units, you will also be required to complete short introductory tasks at the start of your course to support the development of your academic study skills.
