The business environment

The business environment refers to an organization’s surroundings – its external surroundings, as well as its internal surroundings.

Customers and customer service

This module starts by looking at customers and how they make decisions about their purchases. What factors do they think about when buying a chocolate bar, vegetables, a book, a refrigerator or a house? How do businesses decide which company to use when buying a new computer system?

Marketing mix

A company has no direct control of these external variables. The second set of variables contains operational variables; factors over which a company has full control.

Marketing and sales planning

Marketing is increasingly playing a key role in the non-profit sector to build awareness of issues and promote causes, taking the perspective of not just customers (recipients) but also donors.

IT in business

To gain advantage, managers must know how IT can be used in internal and external processes to deliver better value to the end customer.

Managing and using marketing

This module will provide you with a comprehensive introduction to marketing. It is intended to be relevant to the management and operation of organisations in many different areas of the economy.

Customers and their needs

The aim of modern marketing is to identify and then satisfy each customer’s needs and wants. This is often done by building relationships with customers and using these relationships to create a two-way communication.

E-Marketing communications

The success of the World Wide Web and the proliferation of the internet and associated technologies have revolutionised the way organisations conduct their business.

High performance sales

An organisation’s success depends on a number of factors including its operations, its marketing strategy, its human resource management and its sales.

Marketing strategy

How then do organizations develop strategies in a complex marketing environment? How do they assess opportunities and threats? These are some of the questions we shall address.

Written assignments

The undergraduate level 4 (diploma in sales and marketing) has 10 modules and 10 written assignments and the level 5 (diploma in business management) has 10 modules and 6 assignments. On completion of the modules, students will be given access to the assignments. The assignments are approximately 5,000-8,000 words each. Students are provided support on the modules and assignments via the ‘Tutor’ section of the learning platform.

The assignment unit titles for the level 4 course are:

• Business environment
• Customer service
• Customers and their needs E-marketing communications Information technology in business Managing marketing
• Marketing and sales function Marketing mix
• Marketing strategy
• Selling

The entrepreneurial Manager

What is an Entrepreneur? Examine the skills and qualities of entrepreneurship.

Organisation structures

In this module, learners will look at the numerous models and theories that make up organisational structure.

Practical accounting analysis

Learners will complete exercises in accounts throughout this module to understand what they are telling us and the actions that analysis can precipitate.

Business planning and goal setting

This module focuses on the creation of clear goals and clear plans to achieve a clear objective.

Politics and business

Impact of politics on business and how it may help or hinder business. This module will educate learners on economic impact, exports and government support.

Business law

Explore the statutory responsibilities of managers as learners look into the legalities of business and business executives.

Managing in today’s world

Business in the modern world. This module focuses on governance and equality as a means to do right in business.

Performance management

Understanding how your people and your business can continually improve together, learners will review reward structures, CPD, training and development to ensure high performance in business.

Marketing and sales planning

Learners will analyse how markets, customers, competitors and products can come together in a cohesive plan.

Quantitative skills
On successful completion of this module, learners will have knowledge of numeric exercises and will understand their use within the context of the business.

The undergraduate level 4 (diploma in sales and marketing) has 10 modules and 10 written assignments and the level 5 (diploma in business management) has 10 modules and 6 assignments. On completion of the modules, students will be given access to the assignments. The assignments are approximately 5,000-8,000 words each. Students are provided support on the modules and assignments via the ‘Tutor’ section of the learning platform.

The assignment unit titles for the level 5 course are:

• Business development
• Business models and growing organisations
• Customer management
• Responding to the changing business environment
• Risk management and organisations Effective decision making

Students are provided the online modules and assignments at the start of their programme. These contain the titles and tasks of the assignments and are made available to students for 5 years. There are 6 assignments in total for level 4 and 6 assignments in total for level 5, each consisting of specific topics and tasks. It is recommended to have a word count between 2,000-3,000 words per assignment and it is also recommended to use the Harvard style of referencing. Students are provided with tips on writing and a guide to referencing.

An assignment cannot be submitted for marking until it has been checked for plagiarism. Once the work has been checked and verified, it will then be sent to an external examiner who will mark the work against the awarding bodies marking standards.

At level 4/5, assignments are graded Pass or Fail. If a student fails the assignment, they will be provided feedback on the areas that need improving and are allowed to resubmit the assignment free of charge.

After a student has completed and passed all of the assignments, they will be sent to the awarding body for verification and if the work is deemed acceptable, the student will receive their diploma certificate within 4 weeks of submission.

Graduating students can progress onto a university programme either to join at undergraduate entry level, usually on completion of a Level 3 programme, or onto a “top-up” degree, depending on the level of their completed Ofqual programme. Generally, Level 3 is undergraduate entry, Level 4 first year degree, Level 5 second year degree, Level 6 Graduate level and Level 7 Post Graduate level.

University top-up courses require you to have a qualification in a relevant subject. This means that the course of study that you choose should be closely tied to your previous qualification. However, it does not have to be the same subject. There is wide flexibility which allows our students to have a wide range of career or completion prospects upon graduation from one of our courses. Universities will generally look at your broader experiences and motivations as well as formal qualifications.

On completion of your Diploma, you will be eligible to complete a university top up programme from one of our university partners. Your final degree will be awarded by your chosen University and will not state that it has been completed online.

Level 4 is the equivalent to the first year of a bachelor’s Degree programme.

Level 5 is the equivalent to the second year of a bachelor’s degree programme. It is also equivalent to a HND diploma.

Undergraduate level 4/5 programme requirements

Entry to a level 4 programme generally requires a full secondary education and a minimum age of 18. Entry to a level 5 programme depends on a student gaining level 4 or equivalent. Level 4 is equivalent to the first year of a degree or HNC or local equivalent. Level 5 is equivalent to the second year of a university degree. If English is not your native language, you may need to provide verification of your English language capability. There may be an IELTS or TOEFL English language requirement or equivalent. Please note specific university requirements will differ between universities. Normally, universities will accept the 240 credits offered by the programme at Level 4/5 for final year completion, but students should check with their chosen university for specific entry requirements before enrolling through us.

There are no specific ‘enrolment dates’. Students are able to start and finish the course at a time and date that suits them. 

The cost of the course is £1900 per level or £3000 for two levels together.