Regardless of what your interests are, the chances are you will be employed in a business of some kind in the future. This could be as an entrepreneur in your start-up or as an accountant or marketing manager in a large multinational such as Apple Whichever path you take, a Business BTEC will give you the key skills and knowledge you need to progress. You will learn about several important areas of business, such as Marketing, Finance, and Human Resources, as well as learning about how businesses can be affected by their environment. As a BTEC student, you will become more independent and skilled in carrying out research, writing reports, and making presentations. Excellent organization and hard work are essential from the outset, as you will be assessed throughout the two years of the course, starting in the first term. The BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate in Business is a two-year course, equivalent to one A-Level. In Year 1, there are two units: Unit 1: Exploring Business (coursework). Explore the internal organization of a non-profit organization in contrast to the organization of a large profit-making business. Investigate how a business’s activities are influenced by its external environment. Thirdly, you look at the contribution of innovation and enterprise to business success. Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign (exam). Learn about the different stages that a business goes through when developing a marketing campaign. From carrying out research into competitor activities to deciding on an appropriate pricing strategy. You will then go on to develop your campaigns for a range of different products/services based on analysis of your research. This practice will help you to prepare for an external exam, where you need to write your campaign under exam conditions. In Year 2, you study two further units. Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance (exam). Investigate the personal finance sector, including the different types of bank accounts, the pros and cons of loans and investments, and the organizations that can help individuals manage their finances, such as independent financial advisors. You then go on to explore business finance and the purpose of accounting, how to prepare and analyze financial documents such as statements of comprehensive income, and financial position. You will need good mathematical skills to carry out the required calculations. Unit 8: The Recruitment and Selection Process (coursework). Understand why recruitment is key to the success of a business. Explore the various tools used during a typical recruitment and selection process and investigate how a large business uses these tools. This unit also gives you the opportunity, through role play, to take part in a selection process and to review your performance.