Business

Good business and IT skills are needed in every type of industry and for all sizes of business – from small local firms to large multinationals, or public sector organisations such as the NHS and local councils. Our business courses give you the right skills and knowledge to prepare you for a wide range of exciting careers – they’re relevant, practical, and bang up-to-date with what businesses are looking for from new employees. This course will give you the practical skills and knowledge you’ll need to work successfully in business, with an emphasis on management, along with a general understanding of how businesses operate – including HR, marketing, entrepreneurial skills, IT, and finance. If you’ve got aspirations for a career in business or management, then this course can help you on your way.

For entry to this course you’ll need:

• a real interest in working in the business world
• a minimum of 1 Higher and ideally proven level English or Maths at SCQF 5/6, although we’ll consider a relevant group of NQ Units at SCQF Level 6 or Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills
• an interview with us

If you don’t have formal qualifications, but have previous employment, practical or life experience, then we’ll also consider you for a place, so please call us for a chat.

Part-time study options are available and as part of this you could undertake the following qualification, PDA Information Technology in Business.

This course gives you the practical skills and knowledge you need to work successfully in business and management, along with a general understanding of how businesses operate - including HR, marketing, IT and finance.

• You’ll look at managing people and organisations.
• You’ll explore management theories and learn about leadership and recruitment.
• You’ll look at the important role of marketing, and learn about marketing practice, including pricing strategies, distribution channels and the promotional mix.
• You’ll learn about economic issues and how they impact the business environment.
• You’ll become highly proficient in IT, developing your skills and knowledge of software applications to an advanced level.
• You’ll look at business communication, learn how to produce high-quality business documents and develop skills for performing effectively at meetings or presentations.

On the financial side

• You’ll develop skills in business accounting, including financial statements and cash budgets.
• You’ll also look at law within business, including Scots Law, consumer legislation, and law in employment.
• You'll then be able to use some of these skills to then plan how you would run your own business, from idea generation to business plan.

Finally, you may have the chance to:

• work on real Case Studies for local businesses, such as business or marketing plans.
• meet local business employers who’ll give you their top tips for successful interviews, tell you the skills they look for when recruiting new employees, and explain what it’s really like starting up a new business.
• some students may also have the opportunity to go on placement or secure part-time/summer work via our links with local employers.

When you successfully complete this course, you’ll have the choice of

• moving onto a Level 8 course such as HND Business
• moving onto a degree course at university, via our articulation arrangements
• seeking to start your career in business
• potential careers including HR assistant, marketing advisor, business advisor, customer services officer or a local government role Setting up and running your own business.

By choosing this course, you may gain:

• gain practical, real-world skills for today's business challenges.
• interact with local businesses through real case studies and employer insights.
• access placement opportunities and part-time/summer work with local employers.
• develop a solid foundation for further academic pursuits or a successful career in business.

Throughout the course you will meet with guest speakers from universities, various companies and third sector organisations as well as ex-students who have studied the course and gone on to further study. There are also opportunities to access Bridge to Business/Young Enterprise Scotland. Some the employers we work with include East, North, and South Ayrshire Councils, NHS Arran and Ayrshire, Spirit, Prestwick Airport, KA Leisure, and many more.

Successful candidates may choose to apply to a range of 2nd year entry courses such as BA (Hons) Business Management, or BA (Hons) International Business GCU, or BA Business/BA Business and Finance at UWS, and many more.