Business - Level 3 National Extended Diploma
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start & End Date
1 September 2026
2 June 2028
Location
Newtownabbey
Information Session Required
Yes
The business sector is expansive and exciting with many opportunities available across finance, HR, IT, marketing and public relations, media, and many more. If you have a zest for hands-on learning, BTEC Nationals in Business are for you.
BTEC Nationals are accepted by many universities worldwide as A-Level equivalents (Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A-Levels). Employers and universities highly value the practical, real-world skills BTEC Nationals learners demonstrate. It will lay the foundations for your future career.
You will gain an understanding of the sector that will allow you to progress to university, an apprenticeship or directly to some careers in the sector.
This course is designed for those wishing to get ready for the practicalities of work in the Business and other related sectors whilst studying after age 16.
There are a variety of units in year one and two such as:
You will get the opportunity to complete work experience, manage an event and develop a range of business and transversal skills.
Your lecturers will also arrange visits throughout the year to organisations that will assist you with the practical side of your taught lessons. There will be a range of guest speakers and organisations who will come to the college to provide you with relevant case studies and prepare you for the world of work.
Your understanding will be assessed through a mix of external assessments, set tasks and assignments set by your lecturer.
When?
External Assessments vary, but usually you will sit these and set tasks in January and May/June.
Your lecturer may set assignments for you at any time in the year.
Can I re-sit an external assessment?
If you don’t pass an external assessment, you have two opportunities to resit. (All resits must be paid for by the student)
Where will a BTEC National in the Business sector take me?
Completion of the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business may allow you entry to the following progression routes which will allow you to continue your studies with the Northern Regional College. It is important that you check the entry requirements for each course, as they do vary.
This course runs on our Ballymena Campus and is affiliated with Ulster University.
This course runs on our Ballymena campus and is affiliated with Ulster University.
This course runs on our Causeway campus and is affiliated with Accounting Technicians Ireland.
University
In addition to the above, successful completion of your BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma will allow you to apply to University. You will be ready for a wide variety of degrees in the business sector leading to some exciting career opportunities. For example, you may wish to study a BSc in Marketing. Make sure you check the entry requirements for degree programmes, as they can vary.
Employment
After studying at degree level in university, you will be able to explore careers such as:
Self Employment
Studying Business will provide you with a strong background to consider working for yourself. You will learn skills such as marketing your business, financial planning, employing people all useful tools for a career as your own boss
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:
If the course is oversubscribed preference will be given to applicants who have GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics or Essential Skills equivalent. If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
Students with English as a Second Language Students whose first language is not English will be admitted to the College on the basis that their level of written and spoken English will allow them to succeed on the course and that previous qualifications gained equate to the course entry criteria. Some of these decisions may be made outside the College’s remit and final decisions may be made by the Awarding Organisation. Students may be required to demonstrate their level of written and/or spoken English by undertaking an Essential Skills assessment on campus before gaining admission to the course.
No fees.
For most students, full-time Further Education courses at Level 1-3, including Apprenticeships, have no course fees.
Level 1-3 Further Education (full-time)
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
Fee information is available from any campus reception.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
The business sector is expansive and exciting with many opportunities available across finance, HR, IT, marketing and public relations, media, and many more. If you have a zest for hands-on learning, BTEC Nationals in Business are for you.
BTEC Nationals are accepted by many universities worldwide as A-Level equivalents (Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A-Levels). Employers and universities highly value the practical, real-world skills BTEC Nationals learners demonstrate. It will lay the foundations for your future career.
You will gain an understanding of the sector that will allow you to progress to university, an apprenticeship or directly to some careers in the sector.
This course is designed for those wishing to get ready for the practicalities of work in the Business and other related sectors whilst studying after age 16.
You will get the opportunity to complete work experience, manage an event and develop a range of business and transversal skills.
Your lecturers will also arrange visits throughout the year to organisations that will assist you with the practical side of your taught lessons. There will be a range of guest speakers and organisations who will come to the college to provide you with relevant case studies and prepare you for the world of work.
Your understanding will be assessed through a mix of external assessments, set tasks and assignments set by your lecturer.
When?
External Assessments vary, but usually you will sit these and set tasks in January and May/June.
Your lecturer may set assignments for you at any time in the year.
Can I re-sit an external assessment?
If you don’t pass an external assessment, you have two opportunities to resit. (All resits must be paid for by the student)
There are a variety of units in year one and two such as:
Where will a BTEC National in the Business sector take me?
Completion of the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business may allow you entry to the following progression routes which will allow you to continue your studies with the Northern Regional College. It is important that you check the entry requirements for each course, as they do vary.
This course runs on our Ballymena Campus and is affiliated with Ulster University.
This course runs on our Ballymena campus and is affiliated with Ulster University.
This course runs on our Causeway campus and is affiliated with Accounting Technicians Ireland.
University
In addition to the above, successful completion of your BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma will allow you to apply to University. You will be ready for a wide variety of degrees in the business sector leading to some exciting career opportunities. For example, you may wish to study a BSc in Marketing. Make sure you check the entry requirements for degree programmes, as they can vary.
Employment
After studying at degree level in university, you will be able to explore careers such as:
Self Employment
Studying Business will provide you with a strong background to consider working for yourself. You will learn skills such as marketing your business, financial planning, employing people all useful tools for a career as your own boss
Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:
If the course is oversubscribed preference will be given to applicants who have GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics or Essential Skills equivalent. If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
Students with English as a Second Language Students whose first language is not English will be admitted to the College on the basis that their level of written and spoken English will allow them to succeed on the course and that previous qualifications gained equate to the course entry criteria. Some of these decisions may be made outside the College’s remit and final decisions may be made by the Awarding Organisation. Students may be required to demonstrate their level of written and/or spoken English by undertaking an Essential Skills assessment on campus before gaining admission to the course.
Course Fees
No fees.
For most students, full-time Further Education courses at Level 1-3, including Apprenticeships, have no course fees.
Level 1-3 Further Education (full-time)
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
Fee information is available from any campus reception.