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Free Level 3 Business Course in Preston – Cardinal Newman College

CostFREE
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 3
DeliveryClassroom based
Start1 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
Apply now →

About this course

Free Level 3 Business Course in Preston. Classes run at Cardinal Newman College, full-time over two years. The course is free for 16 to 19 year olds.

You'll study how businesses operate across marketing, finance, and international business. Topics also include event management, market research, visual merchandising, leadership, and customer service. You'll apply your learning through business decision making and work experience modules.

You'll need five GCSE grade 4s, including Maths or English Language, to join. You finish with a Pearson Edexcel BTEC National Extended Diploma in Business, equivalent to three A-Levels.

Who this course is for

The majority of news is business-related. If you enjoy watching The Apprentice or Dragons� Den, or feel that you could give them a run for their money, then a Business Studies BTEC could be for you. If you want to set up on your own, work for a local business or see the world with a multinational corporation, then Business Studies could get you there.

Entry requirements

Five Grade 4s at GCSE with a 4 in Maths or English Language

What you will learn

  • You'll explore how businesses operate in different markets and industries.
  • You'll study marketing principles, including market research and visual merchandising.
  • You'll learn about business finance and how organisations manage money.
  • You'll examine international business and working with multinational companies.
  • You'll develop leadership, management, and customer service skills.
  • You'll practise business decision making through real tasks and case studies.
  • You'll gain experience through work placement and recruitment modules.
  • You'll study event management and how businesses plan and deliver events.

How you will learn

The BTEC Extended Diploma is assessed through a mix of coursework assignments and externally assessed units. You'll complete assignments set by your tutors and sit exams for the externally assessed units. Classroom sessions cover theory and practical application. Group work, presentations, and business projects are all part of how you demonstrate your skills throughout the course.

What you will need to bring

The centre will provide most materials. Cardinal Newman College will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Business administrator, supports the day-to-day running of an organisation.
  • Marketing assistant, helps plan and deliver marketing campaigns.
  • HR assistant, supports recruitment and employee relations in a business.
  • Finance assistant, handles invoices, payments, and financial records.
  • Sales executive, builds client relationships and drives revenue for a company.
  • Office manager, coordinates admin functions across a team or department.

What you could study next

  • A degree in Business, Management, or Marketing, for those aiming for graduate-level roles or leadership careers.
  • A degree in Accounting and Finance, building on the finance units in this BTEC.
  • A CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, for those moving into HR.
  • A Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Business, a shorter higher education route into business careers.
Apply on cardinalnewman.ac.uk →
Apply now →

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