HNC in Business (Pearson)

The Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Business course provides you with a specialist work-related programme of study that covers all the key knowledge, understanding, and practical skills required to work, progress, and succeed in the business sector. Through the core modules this course allows you to build up core knowledge, whilst allowing for the development of specialist skills through the choice of optional units.

The HNC is a nationally recognised work-related qualification for students taking their first steps into employment or those already in employment and seeking career development. If you are interested in a career in the Business sector, are looking to progress or further your business career or want to progress onto a HND or full Honours degree, this is the ideal course for you.

Earn your Level 4 HNC from home with our flexible distance learning course. Fit learning around your work, everyday life, and commitments and access everything you need at any time of day. Learn at your own pace, this course has no exams or tight deadlines, simply submit your coursework when you’re ready. It can be completed in as little as a few months, up to a few years. Once completed you’ll be awarded a BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business.

There’s no waiting round for summer to start your course, enrol now and get started today!

Step 1

Request an information pack or submit an application form, with the option to have one of our course advisors telephone you to discuss your interest or application further

Step 2

Once you have applied, you will receive an email with our decision within one working day, and we will telephone you to discuss your application if requested

Step 3

Once you have submitted your enrolment form, necessary documentation, and payment, you will receive your login credentials and welcome email

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"You are provided with all the resources you need and the support is fantastic. I would recommend Unicourse to anyone looking for distance learning at their own pace."

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John Smith

HNC Student

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"I have enjoyed my course so far with Unicourse, I have found it a lot more flexible and can fit it around my hectic lifestyle a lot easier than attending college with assignment deadlines. Any problem I have had with the course have been answered very quickly. I would recommend Unicourse to others who are busy but want to carry on with education."

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Marc

HNC Graduate

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"From the start of the enrolment phase, UniCourse admin team made everything simple and clear how the course would be laid out with the program ‘Moodle’ I would be using. The course is a very convenient way to study even if you are already fully employed like myself and lecturers were easily contactable and friendly. Overall I had pleasant experience with unicourse and would recommend them to anyone looking to improve on their education"

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Jonathan

HNC Student

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"My dream of finishing my studies has been possible only because of Unicourse, they have given me the opportunity to be flexible with my studies and hold a full time job all at the same time. I would highly recommend them for anyone looking to study and work at the same time. I have found them to be very helpful with all my queries and they are quick to help me solve my problems. This is so convenient for me I can study in my own time and in my own home no need to travel to college at a certain time. After finishing my current HNC course I hope to start HND with Unicourse they are fantastic i am very pleased with them."

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Golam

HNC Graduate

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"With a full time Job and 2 very young kids a normal 9-5 course was not an option. It was becoming increasingly difficult to better my career options. Finding Unicourse on the internet has really opened up my learning potential. Their professionalism, knowledge and flexibility are really first class. To sum them up in one word.... Awesome!"

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Adam

HNC Graduate

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"I have found Unicourse to not only be a very convenient way to study as I am a self employed full time electrician, but also the course tutor to be very helpful. Whether I require help by phone, email or a live web session he is always available. The tutor also returns marked work very quickly allowing me plenty of time to make any adjustments. I have found Unicourse to afford me the best opportunity to progress my career whilst also continuing to work full time. "

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Lee

HNC Student

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"I have really enjoyed my experience so far with Unicourse.org even obtaining a Distinction on my first module. The staff and lecturers are quick and helpful with their responses to any and all enquiries and the video conferencing platform is very helpful when discussing intricate subject matter. I would highly recommend the course to anyone wishing to broaden their horizons whilst holding down a full time job."

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Richard

HNC Student

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"Great tutors, easy to follow workbooks, great support, would highly recommend."

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Daryl

HNC Graduate

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"Time and place were severe obstacles to me achieving a HND in Electrical and Electronic Engineering. Thankfully, the flexible options offered by Unicourse have allowed me to undertake my HND from home with them while working full-time. They have personalised my HND, allowing me to choose from many optional units. The traditional colleges I looked up did not offer option choices at all. I have also managed to complete my HND with Unicourse in a fraction of the time that would have been necessary at other colleges. I am really pleased that I made the right choice. The support I got was fantastic."

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Leonardo

HND Graduate

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"The flexibility of the courses and the professionalism of the staff make UniCourse a great way to improve your personal skills with a chance of a future career."

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Valentino

HND Student

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"If you want to succeed I personally suggest you apply to UniCourse. Why? After many years away from study I did my HNC. It was hard work but with superb help and guidance I obtained 8 Distinctions. This year I am doing my HND in Electrical & Electronic Engineering with UniCourse. Again, UniCourse are pulling out all the stops with high quality assignments, a one-to-one videoconferencing platform, incredible feedback and comprehensive support when needed."

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Julian

HND Student

Module Details - How Will It Work?

To achieve the HNC in Business you need to complete eight units in total. This includes six core units, and then you select two optional units. This offers students a broad introduction into the subject area, whilst also allowing students to gain skills and experience in areas that interest them, through the selection of optional units which can help prepare you for subject specialisation at Level 5. All resources can be accessed at any time online through our online learning portal or on our mobile app, and these will guide you through each of the modules. You can also speak to our expert tutors whenever you need them, 7 days a week. There are no exams, all assessments will be based on coursework assignments that you submit to us, in your own time.

Mandatory Core Units

U1 Business and the Business Environment

The aim of this unit is to provide students with 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 organisations (including for profit and not for profit), their size and scope (for instance, micro, SME, transnational and global) and how they operate.

The knowledge, understanding and skill sets gained in this unit will help students to choose their own preferred areas of specialism in future studies and in their professional career.

Sample 1

Sample 2

U2 Marketing Essentials

This unit is designed to introduce students to the principles of marketing, enabling them to develop a basic marketing plan and to employ elements of the marketing mix to achieve results. While they will learn the underpinning theories and frameworks, they will also be able to relate these to real-world examples, including products/services that they encounter in their own daily lives.

The knowledge, understanding and skill sets that students will gain on successfully completing this unit will enhance their career opportunities; whether setting up their own business or being employed by an organisation.

Sample 1

Sample 2

U3 Human Resource Management

The aim of this unit is to enable students to appreciate and apply principles of effective Human Resource Management (HRM). This unit will explore the tools and techniques used in HRM to maximise the employee contribution and how to use HR methods to gain competitive advantage.

The unit investigates the importance of good employee relations and the ways in which employers engage with their staff and possibly with trade unions. Students will gain an understanding of the law governing HRM processes as well as the best practices which enable an employer to become an ‘employer of choice’ in their labour market.

Sample 1

Sample 2

U4 Management and Operations

The aim of this unit is to help students understand the difference between the function of a manager and the role of a leader. Students will consider the characteristics, behaviours and traits which support effective management and leadership. In addition, this unit will introduce the concept of operations as both a function and a process which all organisations must adopt to conduct business.

On successful completion of this unit students will have developed sufficient knowledge and understanding of how management and operations make a positive, efficient, and effective contribution to an organisation at a junior level. This could be in the role of a team leader or managing a specific aspect of an operation function and/or process.

Sample 1

Sample 2

U5 Management Accounting

The overall aim of this unit is to introduce the fundamentals of management accounting which apply to the wider business environment and the organisations which operate within that environment. Students will explore how management accounting uses financial data to aid planning decisions and the monitoring and control of finance within organisations.

On successful completion of this unit students will be in a position to present financial statements in a workplace context and be able to assist senior colleagues with financial business planning. In addition, students will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to progress onto a higher level of study.

Sample 1

Sample 2

U6 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 project. They will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a business project which 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. They will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to investigate and examine relevant business concepts within a work-related context, determine appropriate outcomes, decisions or solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.

Sample 1

Sample 2

Optional units – Select Two

U7 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 legal solutions available to business owners and assess their suitability. Their experiences in this unit will help them better understand the different areas of law that apply.

Sample 1

U8 Innovation and Commercialisation

This unit aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of innovation and commercialisation. In this unit, we will look at a number of tools and techniques organisations use to drive innovation and become more commercial in their approach. The aim of the unit is to give students cutting-edge knowledge as well as practical application of the key ways organisations become more innovative while remaining commercially driven.

Sample 1

U9 Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management

This unit provides students with an understanding of the definition and scope of entrepreneurship and an understanding of the enablers and barriers to business start-up.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to explore and illustrate the range of venture types that might be considered entrepreneurial, assess the impact of small businesses on the economy, determine and assess the key aspects of an entrepreneurial mindset, and examine the different environments that foster or hinder entrepreneurship.

Sample 1

U10 Financial Accounting

The overall aim of this unit is to introduce students to essential financial accounting principles and techniques which will enable them to record and prepare basic final accounts. Students will learn how to prepare accounts for sole traders and partnerships as well as limited companies.

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to contribute effectively to the accounting function of an organisation, or to understand how to record and prepare basic financial accounts for their own business. They will have the knowledge and skills required to progress to a higher level of study.

Sample 1

Entry Requirements - How Do I Apply?

To gain entry onto the HNC in Business, the usual entry requirement is a level 3 qualification in Business. However, mature candidates who do not possess such qualifications but have experience in the business sector, can also be accepted onto the course. Please contact our admissions team, who will be able to tell you if you meet the entry requirements and provide advice on what you will need to enrol on this course.

Apply Now

How many points do I require?

The usual entry requirement for this course are a minimum of 64 UCAS points obtained from level 3 qualifications.

Examples of this include:

1. AS/A2 A-levels in Business and another relevant subject such as English or Maths, at a minimum grade of C

2. Other relevant level 3 qualifications

Can I be accepted with experience?

Yes. If you do not possess the relevant qualifications but have experience in the business sector, you can also be accepted onto the course. We consider each application on an individual basis.

Relevant experience includes:

1. Those who already work in the business sector and have obtained relevant skills. 2. Those who have obtained relevant skills through voluntary work in the business sector.

2. Those who have obtained relevant skills through voluntary work in the business sector.

Can I be accepted from overseas?

Unfortunately, no. Edexcel courses are available to UK residents only.

Level Of Education

GSCE & equivalents

All students must have GCSE’s at grade A* to C or 9 to 4, in subjects such as Maths and English, or a Level 2 equivalent.

A level (Level 3)

A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject, such as Business, or adequate performance in more than one GCE/A-Level subject, or an equivalent Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject.

Experience

Experience working in the business sector if you don’t have a level 3 qualification in Business.

Payment Plans

At UniCourse we have a wide range of payment plans to support everyone, pick one of the below plans and start your journey.

If you would like to take advantage of the cheaper plan 1 payment option but it isn’t suitable to pay this all in one go, you have the option to pay at least 40% of this price upfront and then set up a monthly payment plan to pay the remaining balance (up to 12 months). Please state you would like to take advantage of this on your application form.

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Progression - What Can I Do After My Course?

This course provides students with a straight path to employment or progression onto a HND or a university degree course. Once you’ve achieved this Level 4 HNC in Business you can progress onto our Level 5 HND in Business or even the second year of a BA or BSc (Hons) full university degree. Many campus-based universities will accept this qualification as an entry requirement to year two of their degree programmes.

This course equips you with the knowledge, skills, understanding, and training to progress successfully in a range of business careers including management, administration, finance, accounting, human resources, entrepreneurship and marketing, to name a few. Completing this course can help you on your way to achieving your career goals. For those already in employment, it is a nationally recognised qualification that can offer career progression.

If you want progress onto a HND in Business, you could save yourself hundreds of pounds by buying our combined HNC and HND in Business course. For more information see our ‘Fees and finance’ section.

Opportunities After Unicourse

What can I do after my course?

The HNC in Business course builds up core skills and knowledge in aspects of the business sector whilst preparing you for further subject specialisation if students wish to progress onto a level 5 HND or onto the second year of a full Honours degree course.

1. Progress into employment

2. Gain valuable skills and knowledge

3. Opportunity for promotion

More workplace opportunities

The skills you learn as part of the HNC in Business can provide you with the opportunity to take your first steps into employment in the business sector or can help those already in employment to progress further in their careers and gain promotions.

Some of the job roles this qualification can lead to include:

1. Retail manager

2. Sales manager

3. Business consultant

4. General manager

Further education opportunities

The Level 4 BTEC HNC in Business is recognised by many Higher Education providers – such as the Open University – as meeting admission requirements for progression onto many relevant business-related courses, including:

1. A level 5 HND in Business

2. Year two of a BA or BSc Honours degree programme

Will my chosen University accept this qualification?

The HNC in Business will allow you to apply for year two of a BSc or BA (Hons) degree with the Open University. Many campus-based universities will also accept this qualification as an entry requirement to year two of their degree programmes.

Please check with the university you have in mind.

HNC in Business (Pearson)