What is the purpose of this qualification?
The primary purpose of this qualification is to support learner to progress to a higher level vocational qualification, specifically to an Access to Higher Education (HE) Diploma relating to business. This qualification is designed for adult learners who are aspiring to higher education, lack the necessary qualifications to apply for a degree course but are not yet ready to embark on a preparatory Level 3 qualification, such as an Access to HE Diploma.
What skills, knowledge, or understanding does this qualification develop?
This qualification includes one mandatory unit:
• Business project
Learners must then select further units from a list of optional units. These include knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to all the possible progression routes from the Certificate, e.g.
• Understanding business organisations
• Business ethics
• Leadership and management for business
Learners can also choose units which are specific to the particular pathway you are planning, e.g.
• Promoting goods and services
• Understanding retail consumer law
• ICT for business.
Learners can also decide to take a unit, ‘Effective Learning’, which will give learners the opportunity to focus explicitly on developing the study skills learners will need to succeed on an Access to HE Diploma and on a degree course.
The minimum vocational content for this qualification is 84% (if learners choose to include the unit ‘Effective Learning’); the maximum is 100%.
How is this qualification different from other, similar qualifications?
The Certificate in Preparing for Further Study in Business is intended to support learners progression to an Access to HE Diploma in a related area. The Certificate will provide learner with a firm foundation in terms of knowledge, skills and understanding of business, while at the same time giving learner the opportunity to develop and practise your study skills. Learners will have the chance to practise producing written work in the format expected of learners when they progress to an Access to HE Diploma and to experience the same approach to assessment, making you better prepared for further study.
 
Depending on the combination of optional units that learners choose they could progress to an Access to HE Diploma in any of the following areas:
• Business
• Business and Information Systems
• Business Management
• Business Management and IT
• Business Studies and Economics
• Law and Business
There is a Level 2 Certificate and Diploma in Preparing for Further Study in Business.
Which sector does this qualification support?
This qualification is not intended to support progression to employment.
What are the progression options?
The Certificate in Preparing for Further Study in Business is intended to support learners progression to an Access to HE Diploma in a related area. The Certificate will provide with a firm foundation in terms of knowledge, skills and understanding of business, while at the same time giving individual the opportunity to develop and practise your study skills. Learners will have the chance to practise producing written work in the format expected of learners when they progress to an Access to HE Diploma and to experience the same approach to assessment, making you better prepared for further study.
Progression & Entry Requirements
There are no specific entry requirements, in the form of prior qualifications or levels of attainment, for this qualification. However, if at the start of your course you have not already achieved Level 2 English and maths (in the form of functional skills or GCSE), learners can expect to be offered the opportunity to include English and maths in your programme alongside the Certificate in Preparing for Further Study in Business.
Learners must be aged 18 or over to take this qualification.
