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Objectives
This completely new course from UK Open Learning is designed to help meet the needs of those who want an introduction to this challenging subject, either with a view to further study or to improve their knowledge and skills in a future occupation, or even to enhance these in an existing job. This qualification will provide you with a broad introduction to the key components of this exciting and challenging field.
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Entry requirements
UK Open Learning’s Business Studies course is open to anyone, and no prior knowledge is needed. Obviously, an interest in business would be an advantage, as would the desire to gain a fuller understanding of the workings of the world of finance. A reasonable level of literacy would also be desirable.
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Academic title
Level 2 Award in Business Studies from NCFE.
Plus a UK Open Learning Diploma.
At the end of this course, successful learners will receive a Level 2 NCFE Award certificate of achievement. That means that it is independently accredited at a level of learning equivalent to level 2 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) for England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
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Course description
Business Studies encompasses many of the aspects of everyday transactions, from setting up a company to understanding how purchases are made, from understanding how marketing works to accounting and finance. We will cover all of these areas in depth through extensive course notes, self-assessment tasks, tutor-marked assignments and invaluable tutor feedback. Students will also be expected to show their resourcefulness by investigating the real world of business and finance by carrying out various research exercises.
What will the course cover?
Unit 1: Business Activity and the Changing Environment – Examines the objectives of businesses, the changing environment and the criteria for judging success. The focus is on the importance of having clear business objectives and how the business environment provides opportunities for, and imposes constraints upon, the pursuit of those objectives.
1.1 - Objectives
1.2 - Types of organisation
1.3 - Factors of Production
1.4 - Primary, secondary and tertiary activity
1.5 - Location
1.6 - Government influences on business activity and objectives
1.7 - External influences
1.8 - Judging Success
End of Unit Submission
Unit 2: Human Resources – Looks at people in organisations focusing on their roles, relationships and management in business.
2.1 - Internal Organisation
2.2 - Communication
2.3 - Recruitment and Selection
2.4 - Training
2.5 - Motivation and Rewards
End of Unit Submission
Unit 3: Accounting and Finance – Explores the use of accounting and financial information as an aid to decision making.
3.1 - External and Internal Sources of Finance
3.2 - Budgets and Cash Flow Forecasts
3.3 - Cost and Break Even Analysis
3.4 - Financial Statements
3.5 - Ratios and Performance
End of Unit Submission
Unit 4: Marketing – focuses on identifying and satisfying customer needs in a changing and competitive international environment.
4.1 - The Market
4.2 - The Marketing Mix
4.3 - Market Research
End of Unit Submission
Unit 5: Production – examines the way organisations use and manage resources to produce goods and services.
5.1 - Economies and Diseconomies of Scale
5.2 - Methods of Production
5.3 - Productivity
5.4 - Quality
End of Unit Submission
We have deliberately designed the course to make it as interactive as possible with lots of self-assessment exercises for you to carry out prior to you taking the End of Unit submissions. These are assignments which you will send them to your tutor and receive feedback on to improve your knowledge and skills.
