Key Stage 5

BTEC Business has been running at Brentwood Ursuline Convent High School since 2016. 

The subject continues to attract high numbers year-on-year and was one of the top performing subjects in the summer of 2024.   All of our students either progress their studies at university or via an apprenticeship.   For the last four years, some of our students have taken up positions at Russell Group Universities. 

Exam Board and Syllabus

Edexcel National Diploma in Business

Programme of Study/Assessment

• Equivalent to 2 A Levels.
• 8 units, of which 6 are mandatory and 2 are chosen by the teachers.
• 1 external exam.
• 2 units are controlled assessment.
• Internal assessment (63%).
• External assessment (47%).

Unit guide

Unit	Topic	Assessment
1	Investigating business	Internal assignment
2	Developing a marketing campaign	Controlled assessment
3	Personal and business finance	External exam
4	Event management	Internal assignment
5	International business	Internal assignment
6	Principles of management	Controlled assessment
14	Recruitment and Selection	Internal assignment
21	Training and development	Internal assignment

Note: Units 1 – 6 are compulsory units at present. The two optional units we study are 8 and 21. However, these are subject to change.

What can it lead to?

BTEC Business can be useful for every job.

Business Studies is particularly relevant if you want to work in:

• Human Resources
• Marketing
• Finance   
• Accountancy
• Project manager
• Events management

University pathway

Over 25% of the students entering university in England do so with a BTEC.  A vast majority of universities including Russell Group actively welcome students who have chosen the BTEC pathway.  This is due to their ability to manage both coursework and external exams.

 

"BTEC students coming in with vocational skills can really add something extra to university.  We’ve seen a real rise in the number of students applying with BTEC qualifications and we’re really pleased to see that they are going to be really successful.”   Director of Education, Exeter University

What UCAS points can I achieve? 

The points shown below are only for your BTEC qualification. You will also need to add your chosen A Level points to these.

Final grade	Points
D*D*	112
D*D	104
DD	96
DM	80
MM	64
MP	48
PP	31

 

Interesting facts

A business graduate typically earns £30,000 per annum. 

This puts them in the top 8 graduate earners.

90% of BTEC students are employed full time after graduating.

Apprenticeship/Employment pathway

“BTEC students have the skills that today’s employers are looking for”

Peter Jones CBE Entrepreneur (BBC ‘Dragons Den’)

There are many employers and professional bodies who actively seek out BTEC students for an apprenticeship or employment.  Some will even support you in studying for a degree alongside your work.  This means you can earn a wage and study at the same time.

Some examples are:

• The Peter Jones Foundation
• John Lewis
• Barclays
• Lloyds Bank
• Chartered Management Institute

BTEC Headlines

To find out more about BTEC Business, speak to Miss O’Grady or e-mail fogrady@buchs.co.uk