Level 4 HNC and Level 5 HND in Business (RQF)

The objectives of the BTEC Higher Nationals in Business are as follows:

• To enable learners to develop their skills and understanding in various areas relevant to Business such as management, human resources, marketing, international marketing and finance.
• To enable learners to better understand the issues involved in dealing with culturally diverse organisations.
• To provide the learners with opportunities to develop their employability skills.
• To give the learners the opportunity to re start their academic development towards higher qualifications.
• To provide education and training for a range of careers in business, including management, administration, human resources, marketing, entrepreneurship, accounting and finance.
• To support learners to achieve their learning objectives by meeting any learning need that they may have.

Students who wish to undertake this Pearson BTEC HND Level 4/5 should have:

• A minimum of BTEC level 3 qualification in Business.
• A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C (or equivalent).
• Other related level 3 qualifications.
• The student must be at least 18 years of age and should also pass an initial assessment test (Level 1 in literacy and numeracy with in-depth proficiency in academic writing) at LSME.

The entire programme is taught in English and students must demonstrate their ability to speak and write in English proficiently. Applicants whose primary qualification was obtained in a non-English speaking country may also achieve an English test such as IELTS 5.5 or other equivalent tests as defined by regulators.

The Pearson Higher National Certificate (HNC) is a Level 4 qualification made up of 120 credits. It is usually studied full-time over one year. The student will need to complete all the units under this requirement to attain the HNC Level 4 qualification.

The Higher National Diploma (HND) is a Level 5 qualification made up of 240 credits. It is usually studied full-time. To achieve the HND business qualification, the learner must complete all the units for the level 4 HNC and Level 5 HND business units shown in the tables below as core and selected specialist units/optional units.

Year 1 – Level 4 HNC

Unit 1: Business and the Business Environment

The Business and the Business Environment unit aims to equip learners with background knowledge and an understanding of business. To understand how business organisations operate, students of this module will be taught about the legalities, types and functions of a business organisation in a global context.

Unit 2: Marketing Essentials

This unit will introduce learners to the field of marketing and its’ basic principles. Students will learn about the marketing mix and apply these basic elements to develop an effective marketing plan for organisations to succeed.

Unit 3: Human Resource Management

This unit aims to enable learners to understand and apply the rules of effective Human Resource Management (HRM). In this unit, learners will investigate and apply the tools and techniques used in maximising the employee contribution and the use of HR methods in gaining a competitive advantage. Learners will also explore the importance of training and development in building and extending the skills base of the organisation and ensuring it is relevant to the ever-changing business environment.

Unit 4: Management and Operations

The unit will help students to develop sufficient knowledge and understanding of how management and operations make a positive, efficient and effective contribution to an organisation at a junior level. This could be in the role of a team leader or managing a specific aspect of an operation function and/or process.

Unit 5: Management Accounting

This unit will introduce students to the fundamentals of management accounting which apply to the wider business environment and the organisations that operate within that environment. Students will explore how management accounting uses financial data to aid planning decisions and the monitoring and control of finance within organisations.

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project

This unit allows students to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a business project. They will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a business project which meets appropriate business aims and objectives. The theme as well as a chosen project within the theme, will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of business in the context of the business environment.

Unit 7: Business Law

This unit will help students gain knowledge of business law and examine the impact of the law on business operations and decision-making. Throughout the unit, students will identify legal solutions available to business owners and assess their suitability. In addition, they will be able to illustrate the impact of laws on normal business operations and when registering a company and inviting shareholders to invest in it.

Year 2 – Level 5 HND

Unit 12: Organisational Behaviour

This unit aims to enable learners to understand and be aware of key influences that affect the behaviour of individuals, teams, and organisations as a whole. Through the study of this unit, learners will be able to gain the knowledge to make an immediate and positive contribution in the workplace, whether as part of a team or as a team leader.

Unit 30: Taxation

This unit plans to introduce students to a range of taxation principles, and many of the issues organisations should consider to ensure that they comply with the taxation legislation of the country in which they operate. This includes principles of personal and business taxation, the legal and ethical issues relating to taxation, taxpayers’ obligations, taxation systems and taxation planning.

Unit 32: Business Strategy

This unit provides students with an understanding and awareness of different kinds of business strategies which could be used in an organisation’s operational, tactical or strategic role. This will be underpinned by a thorough knowledge and understanding of the theories, models and concepts which could significantly support an organisation’s strategic choice and direction.

Unit 35: Developing Individuals, Teams and Organisations

This unit will help students understand the difference between a manager’s function and a leader’s role. Students will consider the characteristics, behaviours and traits which support effective management and leadership. In addition, this unit will introduce the concept of operations as both a function and a process that all organisations must adopt to conduct business.

Unit 40 & 43: International Marketing & Tapping into New International Markets

This unit aims to introduce students to various methods organisations use to coordinate their international marketing efforts. Students will critically evaluate the multiple challenges that organisations face when doing so. This unit will give students the knowledge and ability to work with marketing teams internationally and study marketing at a higher level.

Unit 11: Research Project

The unit aims to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. This unit will enable students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research topic within the selected theme, develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and present such research outcomes in both written and verbal formats. The unit will also encourage students to develop good reflective skills.

Year 1 – Level 4 HNC

Unit 1: Business and the Business Environment

The Business and the Business Environment unit aims to equip learners with background knowledge and an understanding of business. To understand how business organisations operate, students of this module will be taught about the legalities, types and functions of a business organisation in a global context.

Unit 2: Marketing Processes and Planning          

This unit introduces fundamental marketing principles, enabling learners to develop a marketing plan and employ marketing mix elements to achieve results. Students will be able to gain the underpinning theories and frameworks of marketing while relating them to real-world examples, including products/services that they encounter in their daily lives

Unit 3: Human Resource Management 

This unit will enable learners to gain an understanding of how to apply HR practices in a work-related context, utilising your knowledge and practising skills and behaviours in relevant professional areas, including resourcing, talent planning and recruitment, learning and development and employee engagement

Unit 4: Leadership and Management    

In this unit, students will be able to learn about theories that have shaped the understanding of leadership and management and how these have provided a guide to action for managers and leaders who want to secure success for their businesses.

Unit 5: Accounting Principles

This unit will allow students to understand the fundamental accounting principles that underpin financial operations and support excellent and sustainable decision-making in any organisation.

Unit 6: Managing a Successful Business Project

This unit’s successful completion will give students the confidence to engage in decision-making, problem-solving and research activities using project management skills. In addition, these fundamental skills to enable learners to investigate and examine relevant business concepts within a work-related context, determine appropriate outcomes, decisions or solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.  

Unit 7: Business Law

This unit would help to enhance students’ understanding of how business law is applied to the running of a company. The experience gained in this unit will help students better understand the different areas of law that apply to normal business operations.

Unit 9: Entrepreneurial Ventures

This unit will help develop students’ entrepreneurial mindsets that can contribute to all businesses, whether a new business start-up or existing public and corporate organisations. Students will explore the skills, traits and characteristics of entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

Year 2 – Level 5 HND

Unit 20: Organisational Behaviour

This unit would help students develop a range of transferable skills and knowledge. This includes core people management skills used to achieve positive organisational outcomes and create value by recognising individual differences, team working and creating inclusive organisational cultures.

Unit 27: Identifying Entrepreneurial Opportunities

This unit is to give students knowledge on the role of the entrepreneur and how to weigh up opportunities, threats and personal skills, and abilities to translate an opportunity into a business idea. The unit will support the exploration of concepts of innovation, entrepreneurship and development of creativity.

Unit 31: Employee Relations

This unit is to develop students’ understanding of the wider external context that influences the employment relationship and priorities in the employee relations system. Students will recognise that good employee relations have implications beyond the employment contract. Aspects such as communication mechanisms and conflict management are important in building and maintaining positive employee experiences, effective relationships and higher performance levels.

Unit 43: Business Strategy

This unit provides students with an understanding and awareness of different kinds of business strategies which could be used in an organisation’s operational, tactical or strategic role. This will be underpinned by a thorough knowledge and understanding of the theories, models and concepts which could significantly support an organisation’s strategic choice and direction.   

Unit 46: Developing Individuals, Teams and Organisations

This unit is designed to help students understand the difference between a manager’s function and a leader’s role. Students will consider the characteristics, behaviours and traits which support effective management and leadership. In addition, this unit will introduce the concept of operations as both a function and a process that all organisations must adopt to conduct business.

Unit 56: Tapping into New and International Markets

In today’s global environment, organisations constantly look for new ways to expand internationally. The unit will provide students with the key tools and techniques to aid organisations in evaluating whether they should tap into international markets and assess their implications. Through this unit, students will explore how organisations are able to move into international markets, assessing the opportunities and threats of them doing so.

Unit 19: Research Project

The unit aims to offer students with the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. The unit enables you to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research topic within the selected theme, develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and present such research outcomes in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages you to reflect on your engagement in the research process, during which recommendations for future personal development are key learning points.

The duration for this course is two years.

HNC: One Year

Students must complete eight units to get this qualification: six core and two optional units.

HND: Two Years

On successful completion of the Pearson BTEC HNC Programme, students will then move on to the Pearson BTEC HND in Business level 5. They will then have to complete seven units at level 5 identified by the College to get the full HND Business Qualification. The seven units have two core and five optional units.

The Pearson HND Business delivery includes; lectures, face-to-face training days, one to one tutorials, discussions, case study discussions, research work, group work, among others. All students will be guided at every step towards achieving their goals.

Students will be assessed using centre devised written assignments/ reports, presentations, both individual and group.

In order to make the assessment as fair as possible, a system of moderation has been put in place. LSME undertakes stringent assessment activities and internal moderation, whilst Pearson periodically undertakes an external moderation exercise. The final results are then presented to the LSME Board of Examiners for final approval. The final grades are then entered on the Pearson portal for final certification.

On successful completion of the level 5 Higher National Diploma, students can develop their careers in the business sector through entering employment, continuing existing employment, linking with the appropriate professional body, committing to continuing professional development (CPD) and progressing to University.

The level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by Higher Education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant business-related courses, for example:

• BSc (Hons) in Business and Management
• BA and BSc (Hons) in Business Studies
• BSc (Hons) in International Management
• NB: The College reserves the right not to run this programme if less than 15 students are recruited.