Diploma in
Business and Management
Level 3

The qualifications focus on the application of knowledge and skills development, being relevant for not only those learners looking to develop academic understanding of business as a subject but also for those looking for preparation for workplace roles.
The qualifications are suitable for learners to study both in college/classroom settings and as distance-learning programmes.

Each unit is supported by an ATHE assignment which, based on an interconnecting set of business scenarios, requires the learner to complete a small number of focussed tasks designed to demonstrate relevant business knowledge and skill.

The qualification suite has been designed to maximise and facilitate learner engagement:
• The majority of Level 3 mandatory units for the 60-credit Diploma qualification are 10 credits in size enabling learners new to the subject to develop initial subject interest in shorter, bite-size chunks.
• Learners studying for the Level 3 60-credit Diploma are also supported by ATHE workbooks which, closely following ATHE assignment tasks, offer the learner straightforward and confidence-building templates for unit completion.
• The Level 3 60-credit Diploma has a synoptic final unit (Unit 5 Market Research) which enables learners to bring together knowledge and understanding from previous units to complete their assessment.
• Unit 13 Project Management is also potentially synoptic in structure and a possible way for learners taking a larger qualification to consolidate and further apply aspects of their learning.
• Level 3 optional units are 15 credits in size enabling learners interested in business to build on their initial progress in the 60-credit Diploma to further develop their understanding in a larger qualification.
• Each unit has signposting to synoptic learning and assessment opportunities across the entire suite of units, ensuring that learning and assessment is connected and holistic.
• Each unit is also signposted to Study Skills and Employability Skills opportunities derived from ATHE’s standards. Again, this ensures that learners and tutors have the opportunity to relate aspects of learning to broader study and work-related skills.

Aims of the Qualification
The Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management (120-credit) is designed to offer learners a much broader and more comprehensive experience of business.
With both mandatory Introduction to Financial Controls in Business and Leading and Managing People units building on the core of units from the Level 3 Diploma in Business, the Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management requires learners to study basic leadership and management principles, which can then be developed further through the study of 2 additional optional units.

For learners looking to build towards higher education study in business management or careers in management, this qualification offers the opportunity to both understand the interrelationship between core business activities and leading/managing, and to explore that relationship in other business areas.

The Level 3 Diplomas are designed to meet the needs of learners who are progressing from study at Level 2, as well as those who are returning to learning.
This includes those who are seeking to progress to higher education, entering the workforce, including higher-level apprenticeships, or wishing to progress in their career.
Learners may be aged 16/19, who have recently been in education or training, or those aged 19 plus.
More mature learners are likely to present a more varied profile of achievement and experience.

ATHE’s policy regarding access to our qualifications is that:
• They should be available to everyone who is capable of reaching the required standard.
• They should be free from any barriers that restrict access and progression.
• There should be equal opportunities for all those wishing to access the qualifications.

The typical minimum requirements for learners who have recently been in education or training is likely to include one of the following:
• 5 or more GCSEs at grades C and above or Grade 4 and above.
• Other related Level 2 subjects.
• Other equivalent international qualifications.

Learners will need to have an appropriate Level 2 standard in English so they can access resources and complete the unit tasks and assignments.

The varied profile of achievement of more mature learners is likely to include relevant work experience (paid and/or unpaid), participation, and/or achievement of relevant qualifications.
This may be used for recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Learners may also hold RQF qualifications which will enable them to claim a credit transfer from part of the qualification.
Exemptions from part or all of the qualification may also be available based on detailed and current evidence provided by the learner.
For further information, please see the ATHE RPL, Credit Transfer, and Exemptions Policy, which can be found on the ATHE website.

For those whom English is not their first language, we recommend the following standards of proficiency in English language skills or an approved equivalent for this qualification:
• IELTs 5.5
• Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) B2
• Cambridge English Advanced (CAE) 162 or above
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic 42-49

Students can make payment using one of the following methods:
• Credit or debit card
• Bank transfer
• Interest-free monthly instalments
• PayPal
• Western Union

• All course material, including online modules and written assignments
• Personal tutor support with 1-2-1 Zoom sessions
• Dedicated student support
• Access to an online social learning forum
• Assignment marking and feedback
• FREE access to Our Hubs

On successful completion of these qualifications, learners will have a number of progression options.
Depending on the size of qualification taken and any other qualifications taken in a programme of study, learners may progress to:
• Further Level 3 study (in Level 3 Business or another subject)
• Study in Higher Education, eg Undergraduate degree (in Business or another subject)
• Higher level Business-related apprenticeships/Role-based technical qualifications
• Business-related employment/internships/self-employment

ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management

ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business is a 120-credit qualification.

Rules of combination

Learners must achieve:
• Units 1–7 Plus
• 2 other optional units
The Total Qualification Time is 1200 hours
The Total Guided Learning Hours is 720 hours
The Total Credit value is 120

Units Overview

Unit Code	Unit Title	Level	Credit	GLH
Mandatory Units
F/650/4815	Unit 1 Business Environment	3	10	60
H/650/4816	Unit 2 How Businesses and Organisations Work	3	10	65
J/650/4817	Unit 3 Business Communication	3	10	55
L/650/4819	Unit 4 Working in Teams	3	10	60
T/650/4820	Unit 5 Market Research	3	20	120
A/650/4822	Unit 6 Introduction to Financial Controls in Business	3	15	90
D/650/4823	Unit 7 Leading and Managing People	3	15	90
Optional Units
F/650/4824	Unit 8 Principles of Marketing and Sales	3	15	90
H/650/4825	Unit 9 Human Resources	3	15	90
J/650/4826	Unit 10 Organisational Strategy	3	15	90
K/650/4827	Unit 11 Online Marketing	3	15	90
L/650/4828	Unit 12 International Business	3	15	90
M/650/4829	Unit 13 Project Management	3	15	90