Undergraduate level qualifications

120 credits (online)

Ofqual Qualification Number: 610/0763/8

Course description

 

OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management qualification is to provide learners with an excellent foundation for building a career in a range of organisations. It is designed to ensure each learner is ‘business ready’: a confident, independent thinker with a detailed knowledge of business and management and equipped with the skills to adapt rapidly to change.
The qualification will provide learners with the underpinning knowledge, understanding and skills associated with business activities, policies, procedures and processes required to work effectively in a business environment. The units combine both theoretical and practical knowledge in the areas of academic and research skills, business and global operations, finance and accounting, business communication, leadership and team working.
Successful completion of this qualification will support learners progressing to university, and to provide learners with the requisite skills and knowledge to enter the world of work in their chosen sector.

 

Entry requirements

For entry onto the OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management qualification, you must possess:

1. Relevant NQF/QCF Level 3 Award/Diploma or at the level of GCE/GCSE or equivalent

2. Mature students (over 21) with management experience (please check with LSBE regarding this experience prior to registering for the programme)

3. Students must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the course

4. English requirements: As this qualification is taught in English, you must have an appropriate level of English for entry onto the OTHM qualifications. If you are not from a majority English-speaking country, you must provide evidence of English language competency. For more information visit the English Language Expectations page. If you do not hold any certificate, LSBE will provide you with an English Level Test for free. Please contact us.

 

Equivalence

OTHM qualifications at Level 4 represent practical knowledge, skills, capabilities and competences that are assessed in academic terms as being equivalent to Higher National Certificates (HNC) and Year 1 of a three-year UK Bachelor's degree programme.

 

Qualification Structure and Content

OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management consists of 6 mandatory units for a combined total of 120 credits, 1200 hours Total Qualification Time (TQT) and 600 Guided Learning Hours (GLH) for the completed qualification.

Mandatory Units:

Academic Writing and Research Skills (20 credits) 

Engaging in academic research and writing will help students to interpret and evaluate sources of information and evidence before becoming involved engaging in the production of evidence based, logical, arguments. The aim of this unit is, therefore, to support the exploration of key topics which form part of the academic research and writing process so that learners will be able to achieve greater success and recognition in their studies.

Business Operations (20 credits) 

Even though businesses are different in many ways, they do have some common features and are influenced by similar factors. This unit’s aim is to provide learners with the underpinning knowledge to contextualise and examine the fundamental factors which influence how a business operates within the context of its internal and external environment.

Communication in Business (20 credits) 

The effectiveness of a business’s approach to communication can often be critical to the achievement of strategic and operational objectives. The ways in which a business connects with its internal and external stakeholders, and overcomes different barriers to communication, will determine its short and long-term success. The aim of this unit is, therefore, to provide learners with the fundamental knowledge and skills to engage in meaningful and appropriate communication irrespective of the context in which the communication is located.

Leading and Managing Teams (20 credits) 

Having hard management and soft leadership skills is often stated by employers as being key to the success of a business but few people have sufficient quantities of both to make a significant impact on business operations and strategy. The aim of this unit, therefore, is to support a learner’s understanding of leadership as a role and management as a function so that they are able to develop the knowledge, skills and traits to make a meaningful contribution to a business’s success.

Operating in a Global Context (20 credits) 

From a business perspective, the world is becoming a smaller place. Businesses need to be open to new ideas, new opportunities and a new way of operating. This means businesses need to expand and transform in what is a fast paced and dynamic environment. The aim of this unit is to encourage the exploration of key globalisation theories, concepts and models which will enable learners to gain an appreciation of the complexities of globalisation as well as the benefits globalisation presents to a business

Finance and Accounting (20 credits) 

Having and effective finance and accounting function will not only help secure the financial strength of a business but will also support managers to develop and implement a business strategy. The aim of this unit is, therefore, to develop, in learners, the theoretical and applied knowledge to prepare, interpret and adjust financial statements alongside the preparation of budgets.

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Duration and delivery

OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management qualification is designed to be delivered over one academic year if you chose to study full-time, however it is also flexible to accommodate part-time and distance learning. At LSBE, the OTHM Level 4 Diploma in Business Management qualification is taught through online learning (Learning Management System and weekly live webinars).

 

Assessment and Verification

All units within this qualification are internally assessed by the centre and externally verified by OTHM. The qualifications are criterion referenced, based on the achievement of all the specified learning outcomes. To achieve a ‘pass’ for a unit, you must provide evidence to demonstrate that you have fulfilled all the learning outcomes and meet the standards specified by all assessment criteria. The judgement that the students have successfully fulfilled the assessment criteria is made by the Assessor. The Assessor should provide an audit trail showing how the judgement of the students’ the overall achievement has been arrived at.

 

Progression

Successful completion of the Level 4 Diploma in Business Management provides learners with the opportunity for a wide range of academic progressions including OTHM Level 5 Diploma in Business Management. As this  OTHM qualification is approved and regulated by Ofqual (Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulation), students are eligible to gain direct entry into Year 2 of a three-year UK Bachelor’s degree programme. For more information visit OTHM University Progressions page.

 

Technical requirements

As this qualification is taught through distance learning format, you will be studying online. Therefore, you must have access to a desktop or laptop computer and broadband internet connection.