St John Plessington Catholic College

About the Course:

This subject is offered as an OCR National Level 3 Certificate in Business.  OCR Nationals are an exam-free alternative to the more traditional A Level courses, taking a more practical approach to learning and assessment. They are industry-relevant qualifications geared to key sector requirements and are designed as vocationally-related qualifications to suit a range of learning styles. This course would be suited for students who have followed the OCR Business Level 2 course in Years 10 and 11.

When students reach Level 3, they continue to develop their work-related skills and knowledge, but now progress to more advanced topics – such as strategic-management, customer service and marketing. The amount of detail increases, as students take a more in-depth look at the business world, and gain an all-round understanding of the challenges and rewards it offers.

Assessment:

This is a two year course and over that time you will complete 6 units of study. All units are internally assessed then externally moderated by OCR.  There are no external tests or exams and ongoing assessments take place throughout the course. Whilst all individual units are graded and certified, the full certificate is issued at the completion of all units at the end of the course in Year 13.

The course is broken up as follows:

Year 12

Unit 1 Investigating Business
Students will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of how businesses develop and adapt in a changing economic and business climate.

Unit 3 Business Communication
Students will develop knowledge and understanding, and demonstrate practical skills, in the use of ICT based and non-ICT based verbal and written communications methods in a business context.

Unit 4 Finance for Business
Students will demonstrate the ability to interpret summary financial statements and make judgements about business performance.

Year 13

Unit 2 Customer Service
Students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills to meet the needs of different types of customers. They will also develop an understanding of customer service policies and standards within businesses.

Unit 9 Career Planning for Business
Students will demonstrate understanding of employment trends and the need to plan for career progression within the business sector.

Unit 20 Motivating and Empowering People Students will develop knowledge, understanding and skills of differing
techniques to empower and motivate employees.

Is there anything else I need to know?

It is expected that students will have gained at least a C grade in GCSE English to take this course. This course is ideally suited to be studied alongside courses such as Applied ICT, BTEC National Award ICT and other industry or vocationally-related courses. Please see the College website for examples of Learning Programmes and go to www.ocrnationals.com for additional
information.

Progression Routes

This qualification provides the skills required for a student to enter employment or go on to study further Business-related courses at HND or Degree level

Student quote

“I chose Business Studies because it gives an insight into the modern day world of business, along with the fundamental aspects of running, managing and analysing almost any business in the world.”

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