University Undergraduate Entry

Diploma in Small Business and Social Enterprise Start-up

A Level (Level 3 – 60 credits)

The Level 3 Diploma in Business is a 60-credit Ofqual regulated qualification and is the equivalent level to an A Level or Access to HE qualification. It has been designed for learners who wish to progress to a business or management degree and may not have the traditional entry qualifications usually required.

The course is designed to provide opportunities for learners to acquire a range of knowledge and understanding about small business and social enterprise start-up. In this way learners will undertake assignments that are directly related to business activities enhancing their understanding of the world of business. While completing the course, students will have access to a variety of support services, including tutor support and webinars, a social learning forum, and additional materials to help in the completion of their diploma course.

Learners must achieve 6 Mandatory Units.

The Total Qualification Time is 600 hours

The Total Guided Learning Hours is 360

The Total Credit value is 60

Unit 1 Market Research

This unit aims to enable learners to identify possible opportunities for a small start-up enterprise by conducting market research and analysing the findings. The learner will:

• Understand the methods and importance of market research.
• Be able to undertake market research.
• Be able to draw valid conclusions from market research and make recommendations.

Unit 2 Business and Financial Planning

This unit aims to enable learners to produce a business plan for their start-up enterprise. Learners will also acquire knowledge and understanding of stock procurement, resource management and financial techniques to support business planning. The learner will:

• Understand the resources and their management in setting up and running an enterprise
• Be able to calculate costs and revenue for your enterprise start-up
• Understand the risks of undertaking an enterprise start-up
• Be able to create a budget and action plan, from your business planning

Unit 3 Quality Assurance

This unit aims to develop the learner’s knowledge and understanding of quality standards, their importance and how they are assured in a new enterprise start-up. The learner will:

• Understand the importance of quality standards in an enterprise start-up
• Understand how to monitor and control quality in an enterprise start-up business

Unit 4 Presenting a Business Plan

This unit aims to give learners opportunities to develop communication, IT and presentation skills. Learners will acquire knowledge and understanding of how to structure a presentation specifically for an enterprise start-up, and deliver the presentation to an appropriate audience. The learner will:

• Understand the principles and practices of presenting an enterprise start-up plan
• Be able to deliver and review a presentation for an enterprise start-up

Unit 5 Running and Monitoring A Small Enterprise Start-up

This unit aims to enable learners to run and monitor the performance of their small enterprise start-up against the plan produced in Unit 2. The learner will:

• Understand the roles and responsibilities required for your enterprise start-up.
• Be able to maintain records in an enterprise start-up.
• Be able to run an enterprise start-up according to your plan.

Unit 6 Reviewing Performance of an Enterprise Start-up

This unit aims to evaluate the success of the enterprise start-up, including the learner’s contribution, analysing performance against targets and establishing changes to improve future success. The learner will:

• Understand the importance of reviewing the performance of your enterprise start-up
• Be able to review the performance of your enterprise start-up
• Be able to review the contributions made to your enterprise start-up
• Be able to review personal development following the management and operation of the enterprise start-up