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Entry Level Business and Retail Course in Cambridge

CostFee:70.00 Concession: 70.00
Duration1 year
LevelEntry Level
DeliveryClassroom based
Start3 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyGateway Qualifications awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Entry Level Business and Retail Course in Cambridge. Classes run at Cambridge Regional College, full-time during the day. The course runs for one year. You'll build knowledge across business, administration, and retail, working toward a business and retail qualification in a supported classroom setting. You'll need to have achieved Entry Level 2 qualifications before starting. An initial assessment will confirm the course is the right fit and help plan your learning.

Who this course is for

This course is designed for students who are interested in gaining skills and careers in business, admin or ICT but lack the required entry requirements to go onto a mainstream courses or apprenticeship programme. It is also ideal for students who need a more supported environment in which to learn and flourish and is an ideal move on from other E2 and E3 supported courses.

This course is the first step to gaining vocational qualifications that will hep you decide what pathway to take further and has a clear goal to get you work ready by the end of the pathway.

A typical week will offer you business, admin and ICT lessons and English and maths lessons with specialist teachers and a highly supportive environment. All classes are taught in small groups and are supported by Learning Support Mentors to help you with any barriers to learning that you might have.

You will follow an accredited qualification awarded through Gateway Qualifications and have the chance to do English, maths and employability lessons that help with building skills for the workplace, confidence , team work and resilience.

Entry requirements

You must have achieved Entry 2 qualifications to consider this course, students will need to able to work at E3/ Level 1.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop practical knowledge of how businesses and retail operations work.
  • You'll practise administration tasks used in everyday business settings.
  • You'll build skills in using ICT for business purposes.
  • You'll explore different roles and career paths in business, admin, and retail.
  • You'll work on tasks that reflect real workplace expectations at Entry Level 3.

How you will learn

You'll learn through classroom-based sessions at Cambridge Regional College, with support built into the programme. Learning is structured to suit a supported environment, with tasks and activities that build your skills step by step. Assessment is through coursework and practical tasks completed during the course. There are no formal written exams.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Cambridge Regional College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Sales assistant: serving customers and handling stock in a retail setting.
  • Admin assistant: supporting office tasks like filing, emails, and scheduling.
  • Receptionist: greeting visitors and managing front-of-house duties.
  • Retail stock room assistant: organising and processing deliveries and stock.
  • Customer service assistant: handling queries in shops, offices, or call centres.

What you could study next

  • Level 1 Certificate in Business Administration: the next step up, covering core admin skills for office work.
  • Level 1 Diploma in Retail Skills: builds on your entry level business and retail certificate with more detailed retail training.
  • Apprenticeship in Business Administration or Retail (Level 2): combines work and study once you have the entry level business and retail qualification behind you.
Apply on camre.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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