BTEC HND in Business
Details
What does the course include?
The BTEC Higher National Diploma in Business is a vocational Higher Education course, it is designed to prepare you for a career in business through a combination of theoretical and practical teaching
In the first year units will include:
- Managing Financial Resources
- Business Decision Making
- Management Accounts
- Organisational Behaviour
- Financial Accounting & Reporting
- Marketing
- Business Environment
- Law
In the second year units will include:
- Business strategy
- Research project
- Working with & Leading People
- Business Ethics
- Employee Relations
- Human Resource Management
- Operations Management
How is the course assessed?
Coursework and continual assessment, there are no external exams although you may sometimes have in class tests.
Where does it lead?
The HND is a nationally and internationally recognised qualification throughout the business world. It provides a basic grounding in the core areas of business and management and leads to an enhanced career as well as promotion prospects. The HND gives automatic subject exemption from many professional qualifications.
Holders of the Higher National Diploma in Business can study for one additional year at various UK universities and gain a business degree (e.g. BA Honours in Business).
CWC has a Progression Agreement in Business with Pearson College London. Students graduating from HND Business are guaranteed an interview for Pearson College London's BSc (Hons) Business & Enterprise Top-up. Click here for more information on this qualification.
City of Westminster College's Progression Agreements are intended to enable students to progress from vocational programmes such as HNCs and HNDs to Higher Education, topping up their qualifications to gain full degrees.
These agreements guarantee applicants an interview from specific programmes at CWC to named programmes at particular higher education institutions.
What qualification do I get on completing this course?
BTEC HND Business
Where have students gone to after completing this course?
University
Could I earn money whilst doing this course, e.g. as an apprentice?
Yes
What are the expected employment areas with this course?
Accountancy
Awarding Body
Entry Requirements
What do I need to get on to the course?
You must:
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a GCSE in Maths and English (grades A to C) or equivalent at level 2
- Have a qualification worth 160 UCAS tariff points (e.g. be in possession of a OCR/BTEC National Diploma in Business or two A levels) or
- Have a Higher National Certificate in Business or other equivalent qualifications (you may be assessed at interview).
If you are over 21 years old you may be considered for the course if you can demonstrate good communication skills. You will be required to sit a test to assess your suitability for the course.
All candidates are required to attend a personal interview
All candidates must supply a reference
You must:
- Be over the age of 18
- Have a GCSE in Maths and English (grades A to C) or equivalent at level 2
- Have a qualification worth 160 UCAS tariff points (e.g. be in possession of a OCR/BTEC National Diploma in Business or two A levels) or
- Have a Higher National Certificate in Business or other equivalent qualifications (you may be assessed at interview).
If you are over 21 years old you may be considered for the course if you can demonstrate good communication skills. You will be required to sit a test to assess your suitability for the course.
All candidates are required to attend a personal interview
All candidates must supply a reference
Support
Higher Education Fees
All students must pay the full fee for HE courses. A student loan facility is available for Higher Education courses. Further information can be found below or at https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance or www.slc.co.uk, along with how to apply, or you may contact the HE Information and Advice team on 020 7258 7221.
Student loans & grants
If you are a UK student planning to study a full-time or part-time higher education course you may be eligible for a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of your course. If you study full-time you may also be eligible to receive a maintenance loan and a grant to assist you with living costs.
These loans do not require repayment until you have finished your course and you are earning more than £21,000 per year, although you can start repaying them sooner if you wish.
Full-time students
Tuition fee loan
The amount paid to the College will be the actual cost of your course for each year of study up to a maximum of £9000. You can apply online at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
Interest on your student loans
You’re charged interest on your loan from the time the first payment is made to the College until you pay your loan back in full. The amount of interest you’re charged varies (see table below). The actual interest rates depend on the rate of inflation.
| Your income per year | Interest rate on your loan |
|---|---|
| While you're studying | Rate of inflation plus 3% |
| £21,000 or less | Rate of inflation |
| £21,000 to £41,000 | Varies between the rate of inflation and the rate of inflation plus 3% depending on your income |
| £41,000 or above | Rate of inflation plus 3% |
Maintenance loan
- You can receive up to £7675 if living outside of your parental home and up to £4375 if you live with your parent(s).
- You must be under 60 at the start of your course.
- If you qualify for a Maintenance Grant the loan you receive will be reduced by up to £1625.
- 65% of the loan is non-means tested, and the remaining 35% is means –tested. Apply online at www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance/.
Maintenance Grant for living costs (full-time students only)
You can apply for a Maintenance Grant to help with your living costs. Maintenance Grants are available to students whose household income is £42,875 or less. Your household income is your parents’ or partner’s income and your own.
The maximum Maintenance Grant is £3,250 a year if your household income is under £25,000.
Part-time students
The amount paid to the College will be the actual cost of your course to a maximum of £6750 per year.
Your course needs to be at least 25% of a full-time course to qualify for a loan. Further information is available on the Student Finance England website.
Further information for students from England
For information about the finance package on offer for students from England starting higher education in 2013-14, please see the BIS student finance page www.bis.gov.uk/studentfinance
For further details please see www.direct.gov.uk/yourfuture which will help you understand the application process cycle.
Higher Education fee myths
Myth: I can’t afford to do an HE Course, it’s too expensive:
Not True: there are no upfront costs if you meet residential requirements and you don’t already have a degree.
Myth: all universities/colleges are charging £9,000:
Not true: some universities are charging less and many FE Colleges charge less than £6,000. Here at City of Westminster College HE fees start from only £3,900 per academic year. Financial help is also available through loans, grants, scholarships and bursaries.
Myth: the loan repayments will be massive:
Not true: you only start repaying when you’re earning over £21,000 and if you earn less you don’t pay anything back.
Myth: student debt will stop me getting a mortgage:
Not true: student loans are unsecured loans from the government and are not like credit cards of commercial loans.
How your fees are used
The fees for our HE courses depend on your particular course, as unlike Universities we don't charge a flat £9,000 per year. It's why studying with us is so affordable in comparision. Below is a graphic showing where your fees go.
Childcare
Are you aged 20 or over? Is the cost of childcare preventing you from studying? The College has a limited childcare fund to support parents who want to study but need help towards the cost of childcare.
The fund is small, you cannot presume that you will get help with childcare costs, even if you meet the eligibility criteria. It is essential that you speak to a Student Advisor prior to enrolling on a course to discuss your personal circumstances, childcare needs and to find out if there are funds available to help with your childcare costs.
Eligibility for help with childcare costs is based on your personal circumstances. In addition to demonstrating that you are on a low income, you must also meet the College’s general eligibility criteria.
General Eligibility Criteria:
- Aged 20 and over
- Considered a home student for fee purposes
- Fully enrolled on a programme of study funded by the Skills Funding Agency or in receipt of a 24+ Advanced Learning Loan
- Discussed and had confirmation of funding for childcare support before enrolling
- Studying for a minimum of 10 hours a week *
Financial Eligibility
You need to have evidence that you fall into one of the following groups:
- on a low income
- a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.
The evidence you will be required to produce:
- a current JSA/UC/ Income Support/Pension Credit letter, a Tax Credit Award notice showing income for tax year 2014-15 or recent correspondence from the DWP/Housing Benefit office which specifies the benefit being received.
- evidence of income may be a 2014-15 P60/Tax Return, recent pay-slips showing income evidence from previous two months from which the income can be calculated or a signed letter from the employer(s) stating the salary paid
Your childcare provision:
- arrangements will be made with students on an individual basis.
- all childcare providers must be OFSTED registered.
- childcare will only be paid for days when you are attending College or a mandatory work placement.
- student on full-time courses will be a priority for childcare funding.
- nursery places will be subject to a contract between College/student/nursery.
- childcare payments are made subject to students reaching 85% attendance on a monthly basis.
- funding for childcare is time-limited
Speak to a Student Advisor as soon as possible to put your name on the childcare waiting list. You MUST do this before you enrol on a course
For more information email studentadvice@cwc.ac.uk.
Financial Support for 19+ Year-olds
Are you aged 19 or over? Are the costs associated with study (e.g. travel, buying additional books or equipment) preventing you from studying? The College has a limited Learner Support Fund (LSF) and 24+ Advanced Learning Loan Bursary Fund (24+ALL BF) to help with these costs.
The funds are small. You cannot presume you will get financial support even if you meet the eligibility criteria. Eligibility for help towards course associated costs are based on your personal circumstances. In addition to demonstrating that you are on a low income, you must also meet the College’s general eligibility.
General Eligibility Criteria
Learner Support Fund:
- Aged 19 or over
- Considered to be a home student
- Fully enrolled on a course funded by the Skills Funding Agency
24+ Advance Learning Loan Bursary Fund:
- Aged 24 or over
- Fully enrolled on a programme of study and in receipt of a 24+ Adult Learning Loan
Financial eligibility
You need to have evidence that you fall into one of the following groups:
- on a low income
- a dependent of someone who is on a low income or in receipt of a means tested benefit e.g. Income Support / Jobseekers Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, housing benefit etc.
The evidence you will be required to produce:
- a current JSA/UC/ Income Support/Pension Credit letter, a Tax Credit Award notice showing income for tax year 2014-15 or recent correspondence from the DWP/Housing Benefit office which specifies the benefit being received.
- evidence of income may be a 2014-15 P60/Tax Return, recent pay-slips showing income evidence from previous two months from which the income can be calculated or a signed letter from the employer(s) stating the salary paid
- proof of rent or mortgage in order for your disposable income to be assessed
Payments
Payments contribute to the costs associated with study including travel. They do not meet all the costs. If you live within walking distance of college or have a Freedom pass you cannot apply for help with travel. For students who have to travel significant distances, a payment may be made towards the transport costs, for the days you are in College. You may also use the money to buy books or other learning resources.
All payments are based on you having a minimum of 85% attendance each month.
Payments are paid into your bank accounts.
You MUST inform the DWP of any payments you receive.
Contact studentadvice@cwc.ac.uk for more information.