"Your most unhappy customers are your greatest source of learning." – Bill Gates 

This course is equivalent to one A-Level

What We Study, Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business 

The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Business is a dynamic course designed to give students a strong foundation in the world of business, whether they have studied the subject at GCSE. Over the year, students will explore key areas including business operations, marketing, finance, human resources, and the impact of the wider business environment. You’ll learn how businesses are planned, managed, and developed, gaining skills that are highly valued by employers and universities alike. 

Students will learn 4 units. 

Unit Title	Type	Assessment
1 – Exploring Business	Mandatory	Internal
2 – Developing a Marketing Campaign	Mandatory	External
3 – Personal and Business Finance	Mandatory	External
8 – Recruitment and Selection Process	Optional	Internal

The course is delivered through a mix of interactive lessons, practical projects, group work, and real life case studies. You’ll not only study business theory but also apply your knowledge to realistic scenarios, developing problem-solving, communication, and decision making skills. Assessments are varied, including coursework assignments and practical tasks, allowing you to showcase your creativity and understanding in different ways. 

What makes our Sixth Form unique is the focus on combining academic learning with practical experience. You’ll have opportunities to work on live business projects, connect with local businesses, and take part in enterprise challenges. This hands on approach ensures that learning is not just about theory. It’s about preparing you for the real world, whether you’re aiming for university, apprenticeships, or a future career in business.

Beyond the Classroom

Studying BTEC Business at our Sixth Form opens up a wealth of enrichment opportunities that bring learning to life and develop skills valued by employers and universities. Students are encouraged to take part in enterprise challenges and competitions, where they can design and pitch their own business ideas, gaining real world experience in teamwork, problem solving, and leadership.

Visits to local and national businesses allow students to see how theory is applied in practice, while guest speakers from a range of industries provide insights into current trends, career pathways, and the challenges facing modern businesses. Clubs such as the Young Entrepreneurs Society offer a space for students to network, collaborate on projects, and develop creative ideas beyond the curriculum. Additionally, students have the chance to attend workshops and masterclasses in areas such as digital marketing, finance, and business innovation, further enhancing their understanding of the subject.

Through these experiences, students not only strengthen their academic knowledge but also build confidence, resilience, and a professional mindset, all of which are essential for success in further education and the workplace. By combining classroom study with practical experiences and wider enrichment, our BTEC Business programme ensures that learning is engaging, dynamic, and directly relevant to the real world. 

Where it Might Lead

Studying BTEC Business opens a wide range of opportunities for life after Sixth Form, whether students want to continue their education or move straight into the workplace. Many students choose to progress to university, where they can study business related degrees such as Business Management, Marketing, Finance or Human Resource Management. The knowledge and practical skills gained through the BTEC course provide a strong foundation for academic study and can give students an advantage in competitive courses. 

For those interested in combining work with study, degree apprenticeships offer an exciting pathway. Students can gain hands on experience in companies while completing a university qualification, developing professional skills, earning a salary, and building a network of industry contacts. Areas such as business administration, finance, digital marketing, and project management are particularly well suited to this route. 

The BTEC also prepares students for direct entry into the workplace. Careers in business are diverse and include roles in management, sales, marketing, human resources, accounting, customer service, and entrepreneurship. The practical projects, teamwork, and problem solving skills developed during the course give students the confidence and employability that employers value. 

Overall, BTEC Business is more than a qualification. Whether aiming for university, an apprenticeship, or a career, students leave Sixth Form with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to succeed in a wide variety of fields, giving them the flexibility to shape their future and explore different opportunities in the business world.