HND in
Business

To study this course, you will need 48 UCAS points. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at 9-4 in maths and English language (or equivalent).

Level 4 Modules (First Year)

The Contemporary Business Environment

The aim of this unit is to give students background knowledge and understanding of business, the functions of an organisation and the wider business environments in which organisations operate. Students will examine the different types of organisation (including for-profit and not-for-profit), their size and scope (for example, micro, small- and medium-sized enterprise, transnational and global) and how they operate. Students will explore the relationships that organisations have with their various stakeholders and how the wider external environments influence and shape business decision-making.

Marketing Processes and Planning

This unit is designed to introduce students to the dynamic world of the marketing sector and the wealth of exciting career opportunities available to support their decision making in their career choices. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the competencies and behaviours required by employers to work in the marketing sector. They will be introduced to the key principles of marketing, enabling them to develop a marketing plan and to employ elements of the marketing mix to achieve results. They will study the underpinning theories and frameworks of marketing while relating them to real-world examples, including products/services that they encounter in their daily lives.

Management of Human Resources

This unit will give students the knowledge and skills associated with human resources (HR) occupational roles at either a generalist level – for example, HR assistant, adviser or business partner – or more specialist roles in areas such as recruitment, talent acquisition and performance and reward management. Students will explore the nature and scope of HRM and the organisational context of people management, including recruitment and retention, training and development, reward systems, employment relations and associated legislative frameworks.

Leadership and Management

The aim of this unit is to help students to understand the difference between the function of a manager and the role of a leader. Students will consider the characteristics, behaviours and traits that support effective management and leadership. Students will learn about the theories that have shaped the understanding of leadership and management and how these have provided a guide to action for managers and leaders who want to secure success for their businesses. Students will look at leadership styles, how and why they are used and the extent to which they are effective.

Accounting Principles

The overall aim of this unit is to introduce fundamental accounting principles that underpin financial operations and support good and sustainable decision making in any organisation. Students will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of a range of financial and management accounting techniques.

Managing a Successful Business Project

The aim of this unit is to offer students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a small-scale business project. They will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a business project that meets appropriate business aims and objectives. On successful completion of this unit, students will have the confidence to engage in decision making, problem solving and research activities using project-management skills.

Business Law

The aim of this unit is to enhance students’ understanding of how business law is applied to the running of a business organisation. Students will gain knowledge of business law and examine the impact of the law on business operations and decision making. Throughout the unit, students will identify the legal solutions available to business owners and assess their suitability. The experience that students gain in this unit will help them to better understand the different areas of law that apply.

Business Data and Numerical Skills

In this unit, students will be introduced to the knowledge and skills needed to be able to support the collection, storage and interrogation of data for business decision making. They will explore methods of collecting data, both manually and online, and the techniques needed to interpret this quantitative and graphical data to produce information to assist business decision making. Students will also explore the numerical analysis techniques and digital platforms required to generate management information. They will gain the knowledge and skills required to present findings, conclusions and recommendations to a business audience.

Level 5 Modules (Second Year)

Research Project (Pearson Set)

Students will choose their own project based on a theme provided by Pearson (this will change annually). The project must be related to their specialist pathway of study (unless they are studying the general business pathway). This will enable students to explore and examine a relevant and current topical aspect of business in the context of the business environment and their chosen specialist pathway.

The aim of this unit is to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. The unit enables students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research theme, to develop a research aim and objectives and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages students to reflect on their engagement in the research process, during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points.

Organisational Behaviour Management

The aim of this unit is to develop knowledge and understanding of how organisational behaviour concepts, theories and techniques can be applied in work and management settings to enhance individual, team and organisational performance. Students will be able to apply this knowledge in a variety of business situations.

They will appreciate how effective application of organisational behaviour principles can be used to explain why people behave and act in particular ways and to predict how employees will respond to certain demands. The unit also develops student understanding of the influence of culture and of the operation of power and politics in organisations, and how these variables influence the actions and behaviour of people in an organisational context.

Management Accounting

The overall aim of this unit is to develop students’ understanding of the scope and purpose of management accounting. The focus of the unit is on critiquing cost and management accounting techniques and using management accounting to monitor and evaluate company performance in complex operating environments.

Global Business Environment

Understanding business from a global perspective is about being open to new ideas, issues and solutions, and opening business up to new opportunities and growth. The aim of this unit is to explore the wider position that some organisations have in the global environment. Students will gain an appreciation of the complexities of operating in a global environment, enabling them insight into an organisation’s current or aspirational global presence. On successful completion of this unit, students will understand the wider global environment in which organisations operate.

Managing and Running a Small Business

This unit will give students a practical understanding of the key aspects of running a small business or social enterprise. Students will learn about the activities involved in running a small business, including developing good relationships with customers, planning and allocating operational resources, forecasting and budgeting, interpreting financial statements, being an employer, dealing with legislation and regulation, and how to put a business plan together.

Integrated Marketing Communications

Creating brand awareness among customers at a minimal cost is key for all businesses as they strive to create a seamless experience for consumers to interact with their brand through multimedia options. Integrated marketing communication helps in integrating all the essential components of marketing to communicate a similar message to potential and existing end-users.

This unit is designed to develop students’ knowledge and understanding of marketing communications and the techniques used. They will learn underpinning theories and frameworks of marketing and be able to relate them to real-world examples, for example promotions they are likely to encounter in their daily lives.

Product and Service Development

This unit explores the journey from ideas generation through to the launch of a new product or service. Students will examine the processes behind new product development (NPD) and consider the potential risks involved. Through the combination of theory and practice, students will develop knowledge and understanding and be able to apply it in either an organisational or entrepreneurial context. They will be given the opportunity to design and pitch their new or renovated product or service of their choice and evaluate their performance.

On completion of the unit, students will have developed confidence and competency in pitching and presenting an idea, teamworking and creative thinking skills. These are all vital skills, required in a dynamic and forever changing work environment.

This Higher National Diploma in Business is a standalone qualification that enables you to boldly enter the world of work. By the end of this two-year programme, you will have developed a deeper knowledge in specific career paths, such as finance, accounting, marketing, HR and events. This will prepare you to advance your business career within public or private sector organisations, in positions including, but not limited to:

Business Analyst

Business Co-ordinator

Marketing Executive,

Human Resources Officer

Project Manager

Sales Executive

Event Coordinator

Financial Analyst

Alternatively, students may choose to complete a top-up year at many UK universities in a relevant business-related degree. By completing a top-up year, you can achieve a full undergraduate BA (Hons) degree.