Business Finance Unwrapped (Online)

ou will study two units: 

• The Contemporary Business Environment – you will develop the background knowledge and understanding of business, the functions of an organisation and the wider business environments in which organisations operate. You will examine the different types of organisations (including for-profit and not-for-profit), their size and scope (for example, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, transnational and global) and how they operate. You will also explore the relationships that organisations have with their various stakeholders and how the wider external environment influences and shapes business decision-making.

• Accounting Principles – introduces fundamental accounting principles that underpin financial operations and support good and sustainable decision-making in any organisation. You will develop a theoretical and practical understanding of a range of financial and management accounting techniques. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to assist senior colleagues in producing and analysing budgets, drawing up simple financial statements and using financial ratios to interpret performance. You will also explore wider aspects of accountancy, especially ethics, transparency and sustainability, and gain fundamental knowledge and skills that will enable you to progress to a higher level of study. 

The course will also help you develop your academic writing and research skills, providing you with the opportunity to develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem-solving. 

Teaching and assessment? 

This course is delivered online over a 12-week period and will consist of ‘live’ (synchronous) workshops and seminars along with learning materials which you will be guided through and able to complete at a time convenient to you. You will learn through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. By participating in vocational activities, you will develop key behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. Plus, you’ll be taught by a friendly, committed, and qualified team of lecturers who have both professional and teaching experience.? 

You will be assessed through a mixture of written assignments. You will also be supported with a wide range of learning resources made available via Activate Learning’s Online Learning Environment (ALO), including access to textbooks, articles, and multimedia content.? 

Support? 

You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.? 

?Additional study support? 

Whether you have a recognised disability, specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas:? 

• assistive software training?
• IT upskilling?
• essay planning and structure?
• proofreading and editing written work?
• bibliographies and referencing?
• time management and personal organisation?
• revision and exam tips?
• presentation techniques?

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On successful completion of this course, you will receive Certificates of Unit Completion (CoUC), and you can progress to our HNC in Leadership and Management and complete another 6 units. We offer excellent progression, so once you have achieved your HNC, you can continue your studies on to the HND in Leadership and Management (Top up) and then ‘Top Up’ to a BA (Hons) degree (subject to meeting entry requirements). 

Career opportunities may include becoming an Operational Team Leader, Department Manager, or business owner, among others.? 

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Anyone looking to retrain in a new career or upskill to enhance their existing career can apply if they: 

• are aged between 19 and 60 
• live in England 
• live outside of England but work in England (some further conditions may apply – check eligibility with the provider) 

Applicants will be expected to possess one of the following:? 

• A minimum of 64 UCAS points, or 
• Relevant Access to Higher Education Diploma, or 
• Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business or related subject, at a Merit overall, or 
• T Level at Pass in a related subject 

Along with a GCSE grade 4 or above in maths and also in English. Other Level 2 qualifications in English and maths may be accepted.

Applications from students returning to education who do not possess the formal entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant industry experience, will be considered on merit, but would normally be expected to have achieved a Level 2 maths and English qualification.? 

Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:? 

• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B2?
• PTE Academic 51, or?
• IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)?

Tuition Fees? 

Activate Learning is able to offer a limited number of free places in 2025.?The standard fee for September 2025 entry is £ 1,625.00. 

The programme and learning must be completed by 31 December 2025. 

You will be asked to participate in a learner survey either during or after completing your learning. 

Additional costs? 

Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget c£100 a year for additional costs, such as stationery, to support your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres, either physically on campus or in the majority of cases online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to c£60 each.? 

 Apply directly to us at Activate Learning.