Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business)

Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business)

This Course at a Glance

• Start a business career
• No experience required
• Go to university without A Levels
• Affordable payment plans available
• 100% online learning
• No exams

About your Diploma

There’s almost no end to the way you can work in business. From management to logistics and compliance, there are many avenues you can pursue that lead to well-paying careers. If you’ve ever considered working in this field, you might be unsure of which area is best for you. Thankfully, you don’t have to choose before you can get started.

By studying an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business), you can get a grounding in all aspects of successful business and management practices. It’s often too hard to make a call on your future when you don’t have experience of what your chosen field is like, which is why this course is designed to help you make an informed decision.

It allows you to study different aspects of business, from the economic environment to employment law and the principles of marketing. As well as review the key characteristics and range of styles of management that are employed in a modern-day workplace. You will get a detailed introduction to these areas and more, so you can find your feet and identify where you may like to focus your studies when you choose your degree.

Upon successful completion of this Access to Higher Education Diploma, you will be able to apply for a business or management-related degree without A Levels. This is because the qualification is a equivalent to 3 A Levels. What’s more, as it is studied completely online, you can get the qualification you need for university from the comfort of your own home.

Getting Started

learndirect is the leading UK online learning provider. This Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business) is a nationally recognised Level 3 equivalent qualification, regulated by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).

You have up to two years to complete this course, but the flexibility of online learning means most of our students finish their Access to Higher Education Diploma within 9 months. So, you can study from the comfort of home and around your existing commitments.

You will be provided with an Individual Learning Plan that outlines the submission deadlines for your assignments to keep you on track throughout your studies.

*Please note, entry requirements differ between universities. It’s always best to check with your chosen institution that your qualification will be accepted before enrolling on a course.

Modules

Module 1: Academic Writing Skills

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 2: Reading and Note Making

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 3: The Safe and Ethical Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 4: Business Structures

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 5: IT in Organisations

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 6: Principles of Management

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 7: Customer Service

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand customer service skills
• Understand how to achieve effective customer relations
• Understand how organisations adapt to meet differing customer needs and wants

Module 8: Consumer Law

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 9: The Economic Environment

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 10: Principles of Marketing

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 11: Principles of Leadership

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the key characteristics and skills of an effective leader
• Understand how leaders motivate their teams
• Understand the relationship between leader and team member

Module 12: Employment Law

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• Understand the relationship between leader and team member
• Understand the relationship between leader and team member
• Know how contracts of employment are terminated

Module 13: Research Skills: Project

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 14: International Trade and Development

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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

Module 15: Budgeting

Upon successful completion of this module, you will:

• 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.

Entry Requirements

To study an Access to HE Diploma you must be resident in the UK and have a UK postcode.

You must hold Level 2 qualifications in both English and Maths, or be working towards them alongside studying your Access to Higher Education Diploma.

University Entry Criteria

It must be reiterated that each university will set its own admission criteria. So, you must check with your desired institution if your Access to HE Diploma and other qualifications will be accepted. In many cases, to get started at university you will need: - A certain number of credits passed with a merit or a distinction grade - A face-to-face interview at the university - Literacy and numeracy assessments provided by the university - Course-related work placements or work experience - GCSE Grade C/4 or above in Maths and English (or equivalent Level 2 such as Functional Skills/Key Skills, etc.) It is your responsibility to check that your Access to HE Diploma will be accepted as part of these entry requirements for your chosen degree. learndirect will not be held accountable if completing this Access to Higher Education Diploma doesn’t secure you a position with a higher education institution.

Minimum age restriction

Access to HE Diplomas are designed to support students to progress to university who have substantial experience of life outside of formal education which they have gained since completing compulsory schooling.

Average completion timeframe

The average time it takes our learners to complete the course is 9-12 months.

Assessment requirements

A range of assessment methodologies are used, including: academic poster, academic report, case study analysis, essay, business plan, written evaluation, journal article, portfolio, presentation (video and audio recording), research report, timed test, academic writing skills tasks.

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.

Exams required

There are no exams included in the assessment of the course.

Is Membership Required?

No membership is required to enrol on this course.

Additional requirements

Learners must be actively studying for a minimum of six months before results can be ratified and certificates ordered. The six month period does not start until you have passed unit 3 of your course and you must be submitting assignments regularly (in line with the deadlines in your Individual Learning Plan) to meet this six month requirement. Certificates can only be issued once your course is paid for in full.

Certification Timeframe

You can expect to receive your certificate 12-16 weeks from your final assignment being marked and graded, depending on the time of year. You will be provided with regular updates throughout the certification process so that you are fully informed of your individual timeframes.

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

Your work will be assessed through end of unit assignments. These will provide you with the opportunity to check up on your knowledge and advance. After each assignment, your tutor will offer feedback to help you not only progress further but also improve your skills.

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.

This Access to Higher Education Diploma is a Level 3 Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) regulated qualification. To successfully achieve your qualification, you will need a total of 60 credits. Of these, 45 will come from graded units of academic content, while the following 15 will be drawn from ungraded units concerning study skills.

Skills & Education Group Access

On successful completion of the Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business and Management), (QAA aim code: 40012797), you will receive a Skills & Education Group Access, QAA recognised, Access to Higher Education Diploma at Level 3. As part of your programme, you will also receive help as well as guidance on your university application and the research you need to do to get the most out of your diploma.

An access validating agency with a strong social purpose to recognise achievement, particularly for those who have benefited least from their previous educational experiences, Skills and Education Group Access supports the needs of learners, providers, businesses and communities by enabling progression into higher education.

Upon successful completion of this Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business) you can get started in a career in business.

Many roles don’t require you to have qualifications, but business and management professionals who are qualified can pursue senior roles with more responsibility and a higher salary. With an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business), you could go on to study degrees in:

• Business Studies
• Management Studies
• Finance
• Accounting
• Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Hospitality, Leisure, and Tourism
• Transport

With a business-related degree, just some of the many roles you could go onto work as include:

• Accountant
• Bank Manager
• Business Analyst
• Company Secretary
• Events Manager
• Financial Adviser
• Hotel Manager
• Human Resource Officer
• Investment Analyst
• Management Consultant
• Marketing Manager
• Operational Researcher
• Stockbroker

Further Qualifications and Prospects

Once you become a qualified business or management professional, you can continue your learning to help you progress in your career, move into a specialist area and command a higher wage. There are numerous online courses you can take to advance your knowledge in a convenient and efficient way.

Just some of the many leadership and management courses you could take include:

• Credit Management 
• E-Business Management
• European Hospitality Management
• Food and Beverages Management
• Information Resources Management
• Risk Management

Then to expand your knowledge in business, you could study:

• Business and the Environment
• Business Law
• Business Contracts
• Costing and Pricing
• Digital Networks and Digital Business
• E-Business Strategy

No matter the area of business or management you want to pursue, an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Business) is the ideal platform to get you into the industry.

Frequently Asked Questions