National Certificate in Business Online

SCQF level 5

The National Certificate in Business is designed to enable you to develop skills and knowledge that will help you in the world of business. It will enable you to acquire skills and knowledge in key business areas such as finance, customer service and marketing, as well as help you to enhance underlying skills relevant to business such as communication and ICT.

Depending on your preferences, the National Certificate in Business will give you a platform which will allow you to progress into further education or employment. You can choose options which will help you prepare for Higher National awards such as a Higher National Certificate in Business or which will develop additional skills useful in business related occupations. You may be able to combine options for different purposes.

About your National Certificate in Business

Our National Certificate in Business is ideal if you wish to develop a foundation for progression to further study and to provide appropriate skills and knowledge for those who wish to enter employment in business.

This learner focused programme will be delivered to you by our highly professional teaching staff with significant industry experience and a proven track record of bringing out the best in their students.

This course is placed on the Scottish Credit Qualifications Framework at Level 5.

Course highlights

  • Develop appropriate skills, knowledge and understanding for the contemporary business environment.

  • Gain specific business related skills demanded by employers.

  • Consider the various options open to people in business and make informed career choices for the future.

  • Prepare for entry to further qualifications such as Higher National awards in Business, Accounting and other related areas.

  • Accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA).

How you’ll study

This course is studied 100% online

Course length

Study this course over 1 year

Start dates

Start in January, May or September

Application deadline

Our next deadline is 31st July 2024

Fees: £4,000

Payment plans are available available

Accreditation

Accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA)

What you’ll study

Eight Mandatory Units

  • Spreadsheet and Database

  • Word Processing and Presenting Information 

  • Enterprise Skills 

  • Marketing: Basic Principles and Applications 

  • Skills for Customer Care

  • Market Operations and the Economy

  • Recording Cash Transactions

  • Communication 

Four Optional Units from the following areas:

  • Economics

  • Accounting

  • Work Experience/Working with Others

  • Business Decision Areas

  • Business Management

  • PC Passport/IT

  • Marketing

  • Numeracy

  • ESOL - English for speakers of other languages

Entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements

  • Three Secondary School Certificate qualifications and at Grade C or above in relevant* subjects; OR

  • Other equivalent qualifications or experience

* relevant subjects include English, Administration, Business Management, Economics, Geography, History, Mathematics, Modern Studies or a Science subject.

If you don’t meet the above criteria, you may be required to complete an admissions test.

ESOL entry requirements

  • If English is not your first language, you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least Grace C in your Secondary School Certificate or equivalent English Language qualification as recognised by Blended Institute.

After the course

Careers

This course prepares you for a career in a range of sectors including:

  • Call Centres.

  • Financial Services.

  • Sales and Marketing.

  • Personnel.

  • Retailing.

  • Administration.

Continuing study

If you complete the NC in Business and pass all units on the course at level 5 then you can apply for the HNC awards in Business level 7.

Accreditation

The SQA is an executive non-departmental public body (NDPB) sponsored by the Scottish Government Schools Directorate. It is the national body in Scotland responsible for the development, accreditation, assessment, and certification of qualifications other than degrees.

The overall aim of the SQA is to manage the qualifications system below degree level to allow students to fulfill their potential to participate in the economy, society, and communities of Scotland.

Our National Certificates (NC), Advanced Certificates (AC), and Advanced Diploma (AD) Awards are accredited by the SQA.