Business - Level 4 Higher National Certificate (Pearson)

Essentials

Duration: 2 Years Part-time
Start date: 17th September 2025
End date: 3rd June 2027
Day: Thu
Time: 09:00-16:30
Information Event: Yes

Course fee: To be confirmed

Course Content

If you are an aspiring manager or are thinking it’s time for a career change, the Pearson BTEC Level 4 in Business is a university, higher level qualification which will help you achieve this goal. Major blue-chip companies IBM, Worldpay, Tesco and UK universities have been involved in the design of this programme and it is recognised as a milestone towards progression. On completion of the HNC Business, you will have the knowledge, skills, and confidence to participate in management meetings and projects that require you to:

• Analyse financial budgets and financial statements to inform decision making
• Draw up Project Management Plans, review and monitor projects
• Engage with HR regarding resourcing issues, recruitment, training and development for your department
• Benchmark your business’ marketing activities against competitors and make an informed contribution to the development of future campaigns
• Personally, you will develop the ability to flex your management style, to problem solve, present confidently online, in person at a meeting or to an audience

Over the two years of the course, you will study 8 units

• Business and the Business Environment
• Marketing Process and Planning
• Human Resource Management
• Leadership and Management
• Accounting Principles
• Managing a Successful Business Project
• Entrepreneurial Ventures
• Professional Identity and Practice

Lecturer Support

We understand the concerns of our adult students about returning to education and are committed to supporting you during your studies. We have created a safe environment where you are encouraged to ask for help in class or if you prefer to email us outside class to get clarification on what you need to do to complete an assignment or to receive feedback on draft assignments.

Additional Costs and Requirements

Access to PC/laptop with camera, microphone and internet. Please note you will have free access to Office 365.

We have excellent online resources on our digital learning platform, Canvas and therefore it is not necessary to buy a textbook.

Other Important Information

Visit studentfinanceni.co.uk to check your eligibility for a part time higher education grant which in the past many of our students have been able to avail of.

Course Aims

The aim of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 HNC in Business is to see you progress into a managerial role, by building your capabilities so that you are seen as an independent thinking, decision maker with the confidence and skill set to manage a team, a budget and to deliver on key business objectives.

Special Features

Learners wishing to progress to Ulster University’s part time BSc Hons Degree in Business Studies receive very generous exemptions.

Upon successful completion of the HNC Business you are eligible for Foundation Chartered Manager status, awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Foundation Chartered Managers can use the initials fCMgr after their name.  

Many learners on this course are eligible to apply for part-time Higher Education grants that cover 100% of their tuition fees. 

Applicants must be sufficiently competent in English Language and Numeracy, have obtained a BTEC level 3 Diploma in Business or Administration or a BTEC level 3 Diploma of any other title; or at least one GCE A level pass together with three other GCSE (or GCE O Levels) at Grades C or above; or ILM level 3 or CIPD level 3 or other relevant qualifications.

Applicants who are non-English speakers must be qualified to either Communicator; Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) Level B2 PTE 51 or IELTS 5.5 (Reading and Writing must be 5.5).

Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.

The HNC Business is widely recognised by employers and universities in the UK, Republic of Ireland and overseas. It is a level 4 qualification, the equivalent of the first year of university and is worth 120 credits under the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).

The ultimate goal of this course is to provide aspiring managers like you, with the knowledge and skills to progress to supervisory/managerial positions within private and public sectors organisations. It also enables you to progress to the part time BSc Hons Degree in Business from Ulster University, which you can study through the Northern Regional College. Furthermore, most professional bodies in the business and administration fields grant exemptions to holders of BTEC Higher Level qualifications.