EDEXCEL Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business
Qualification summary
The BTEC Higher Nationals in Business have been developed to provide:
• a nationally recognised level 5 vocationally specific qualification as a basis for entering employment in the business sector or progressing to higher education vocational qualifications such as a full-time degree in business or a related area.
• education and training for a range of careers in business such as administration, personnel, marketing, finance, law, purchasing or management
• a general qualification which allows flexibility of study to meet local or specialist needs
• specialist options which meet the needs of the major functions in business and allow specialisation with career progression and professional recognition in mind
• opportunities which underpin some of the knowledge and understanding required for the relevant NVQ units in Accounting, Management, Personnel, Administration and Procurement
• opportunities to focus on the development of higher level skills in a business context
• opportunities to develop a range of skills and techniques and attributes essential for successful performance in working life
This qualification meets the needs of the above rationale by:
• equipping individuals with knowledge, understanding and skills for success in a range of administrative and management positions in business
• providing specialist routes of study which relate to individual professions within the business world
• enabling progression to an undergraduate degree or further professional qualification within the business sector
• supporting individuals employed or entering employment in the business field
• developing business knowledge, a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life
Qualification details
5 (Current NQF Level)
4 (Original NQF Level)
Accreditation start date:
Operational start date in centres:
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
For further information on 14-19 qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DCSF
Section 96 website.
For further information on 19+ qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DIUS
Section 97 website.
For further information on Wales, visit the
DCELLS website.
For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the
DELNI and
DENI websites.
The 10-unit BTEC Higher National Certificate in business provides a specialist work-related programme of study that covers the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the sector. It also offers specialist emphasis through the choice of specialist units.
The qualification offers endorsed title routes in Finance, Management, Marketing, Human Resources Management, Law, E-Business Strategies and Information Technology. In addition, there is a large number of specialist units which offer scope for developing specialist knowledge and skills in areas such as administration, purchasing, financial services or project management. Each endorsed title route consists of four units and study of all four units in a route will add that endorsement to the title of the qualification gained. This is useful for learners already employed in a specific business field, who are looking to continue and progress in that business field and gain professional recognition.
Alternatively, a learner may prefer to undertake a range of specialist units, to gain a broader business base.
BTEC Higher National Certificates provide a nationally recognised qualification that offers career progression for those already in employment. The qualifications are mode free but they are primarily taken by part-time learners studying over two years. In some sectors there are opportunities for those wishing to complete an intensive programme of study in a shorter period of time.
The qualification offers learners access to suitable business-related work situations and the opportunity to achieve units in administration, accounting, personnel, procurement and management with links to NVQ qualifications.
The BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business mainly offers a progression route for learners who are employed in the business sector.
Accounting Technician
Civil Service Administrative Assistant/Officer
Local Government Committee Administrator
Paralegal
Personal Assistant (PA)
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15 Business, Administration and Law
Coursework
Oral Examination
Portfolio of Evidence
The specifications and associated support material for all BTEC Higher Nationals will provide guidance on the assessment strategies to be adopted by centres. They will also set out the quality assurance processes that will be used by Edexcel to ensure that assessment decisions are confirmed, before certification is authorised. Work from all learners will be subject to objective assessment by a nominated individual who will be independent of the centre and the learner. Edexcel will approve the arrangements established by each centre and review its operation to ensure continuing effectiveness.
The BTEC Higher Nationals will normally include an integrative project unit in the Core units and it is likely that this would provide a suitable focus for the independent assessment. The appropriateness of this project unit for independent assessment will be reviewed on a sector by sector basis and where appropriate alternative proposals will be made in the qualification submission.
The BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business is a 10-unit qualification of which five units are mandatory core units.
The following endorsed titles are achievable under this qualification accreditation number:
Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business (Finance);
Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business (Marketing);
Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business (Human Resource Management);
Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business (Law);
Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business (E-Business Strategies);
Edexcel Level 5 BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business (IT).
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A -
Mandatory Units
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B -
Optional Units