Business - Level 3 National Extended Diploma
Course Type
Further Education
Study Mode
Full-time
Duration
2 Years
Start & End Date
1 September 2025
4 June 2027
Location
Coleraine
Interview Required?
Yes
The business sector is expansive and exciting with many opportunities available across finance, HR, IT, marketing and public relations, media, and many more. If you have a zest for hands-on learning, BTEC Nationals in Business are for you.
BTEC Nationals are accepted by many universities worldwide as A-Level equivalents (Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A-Levels). Employers and universities highly value the practical, real-world skills BTEC Nationals learners demonstrate. It will lay the foundations for your future career.
You will gain an understanding of the sector that will allow you to progress to university, an apprenticeship or directly to some careers in the sector.
This course is designed for those wishing to get ready for the practicalities of work in the Business and other related sectors whilst studying after age 16.
There are a variety of units in year one and two such as:
Former Level 3 Business students shares their experience of the course and how it helped them secure their dream job.
You will get the opportunity to complete work experience, develop your transversal skills (employability skills) and engage in problem based learning in both first and second year of the course.
You will have the opportunity to sit additional qualifications that will enhance your CV. All our Business students get the opportunity to do OCNNI qualifications such as Project Management, Spreadsheets and Computerised Accounts (subject to change). These additional qualifications will enhance employability skills and provide you with enhanced business skills and experience.
Your lecturers will also arrange visits throughout the year to organisations that will assist you with the practical side of your taught lessons. There will be a range of guest speakers and organisations who will come to the college to carry out mock interviews and prepare you for the world of work.
Your understanding will be assessed through a mix of external assessments, set tasks and assignments set by your lecturer.
When?
External Assessments vary, but usually you will sit these and set tasks in January and May/June.
Your lecturer may set assignments for you at any time in the year.
Can I re-sit an external assessment?
If you don’t pass an external assessment, you have two opportunities to resit. (All resits must be paid for by the student)
Where will a BTEC National in the Business sector take me?
Completion of the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business may allow you entry to the following progression routes which will allow you to continue your studies with the Northern Regional College. It is important that you check the entry requirements for each course, as they do vary.
Level 4 Pearson Level 4 HNC in Business,
This course runs on the NRC Trostan Avenue Campus in Ballymena
Foundation Degree in Supply Chain Management
This course runs on our Newtownabbey Campus and is affiliated with Ulster University.
Foundation Degree in Business Management
This course runs on the NRC Coleraine Campus (PT) and NRC Ballymena (FT). This course is affiliated with Ulster University.
BSc in Business Management, this course runs in the our Ballymena campus, and is affiliated with Ulster University.
In addition to the above, successful completion of your BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma will allow you to apply to University. You will be ready for a wide variety of degrees in the business sector leading to some exciting career opportunities. For example, you may wish to study a BSc in Marketing. Make sure you check the entry requirements for degree programmes, as they can vary.
Employment
After studying at degree level in university, you will be able to explore careers such as:
Self Employment
Studying Business will provide you with a strong background to consider working for yourself. You will learn skills such as marketing your business, financial planning, employing people all useful tools for a career as your own boss!
You must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:
If the course is oversubscribed preference will be given to applicants who have GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics or Essential Skills equivalent.
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
This course is free of charge.
Further Education (Level 1-3) full-time courses including Apprenticeships have no course fees for most students:
Level 3 Further Education (full-time)
There are no tuition fees for Level 1 - 3 full-time students aged between 16 and 18.
If you are aged 19-24 and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification, fees will apply. Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
If you are aged 25 or older, fees will apply unless in receipt of a FE grant. (If you are aged 25 or older, admission to a full-time Further Education course will be considered on an individual basis at the College's discretion).
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
If you are in receipt of a FE grant, no fees apply.
If you are aged 19 or older and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification (3 A Level equivalent), fees will apply.
Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
Applications are closed. To register your interest email Admissions.
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The business sector is expansive and exciting with many opportunities available across finance, HR, IT, marketing and public relations, media, and many more. If you have a zest for hands-on learning, BTEC Nationals in Business are for you.
BTEC Nationals are accepted by many universities worldwide as A-Level equivalents (Level 3 Extended Diploma is equivalent to 3 A-Levels). Employers and universities highly value the practical, real-world skills BTEC Nationals learners demonstrate. It will lay the foundations for your future career.
You will gain an understanding of the sector that will allow you to progress to university, an apprenticeship or directly to some careers in the sector.
This course is designed for those wishing to get ready for the practicalities of work in the Business and other related sectors whilst studying after age 16.
You will get the opportunity to complete work experience, develop your transversal skills (employability skills) and engage in problem based learning in both first and second year of the course.
You will have the opportunity to sit additional qualifications that will enhance your CV. All our Business students get the opportunity to do OCNNI qualifications such as Project Management, Spreadsheets and Computerised Accounts (subject to change). These additional qualifications will enhance employability skills and provide you with enhanced business skills and experience.
Your lecturers will also arrange visits throughout the year to organisations that will assist you with the practical side of your taught lessons. There will be a range of guest speakers and organisations who will come to the college to carry out mock interviews and prepare you for the world of work.
Your understanding will be assessed through a mix of external assessments, set tasks and assignments set by your lecturer.
When?
External Assessments vary, but usually you will sit these and set tasks in January and May/June.
Your lecturer may set assignments for you at any time in the year.
Can I re-sit an external assessment?
If you don’t pass an external assessment, you have two opportunities to resit. (All resits must be paid for by the student)
There are a variety of units in year one and two such as:
Former Level 3 Business students shares their experience of the course and how it helped them secure their dream job.
Where will a BTEC National in the Business sector take me?
Completion of the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business may allow you entry to the following progression routes which will allow you to continue your studies with the Northern Regional College. It is important that you check the entry requirements for each course, as they do vary.
Level 4 Pearson Level 4 HNC in Business,
This course runs on the NRC Trostan Avenue Campus in Ballymena
Foundation Degree in Supply Chain Management
This course runs on our Newtownabbey Campus and is affiliated with Ulster University.
Foundation Degree in Business Management
This course runs on the NRC Coleraine Campus (PT) and NRC Ballymena (FT). This course is affiliated with Ulster University.
BSc in Business Management, this course runs in the our Ballymena campus, and is affiliated with Ulster University.
In addition to the above, successful completion of your BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma will allow you to apply to University. You will be ready for a wide variety of degrees in the business sector leading to some exciting career opportunities. For example, you may wish to study a BSc in Marketing. Make sure you check the entry requirements for degree programmes, as they can vary.
Employment
After studying at degree level in university, you will be able to explore careers such as:
Self Employment
Studying Business will provide you with a strong background to consider working for yourself. You will learn skills such as marketing your business, financial planning, employing people all useful tools for a career as your own boss!
You must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1 July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have:
If the course is oversubscribed preference will be given to applicants who have GCSE grade C or above in English and Mathematics or Essential Skills equivalent.
If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.
Course Fees
This course is free of charge.
Further Education (Level 1-3) full-time courses including Apprenticeships have no course fees for most students:
Level 3 Further Education (full-time)
There are no tuition fees for Level 1 - 3 full-time students aged between 16 and 18.
If you are aged 19-24 and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification, fees will apply. Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
If you are aged 25 or older, fees will apply unless in receipt of a FE grant. (If you are aged 25 or older, admission to a full-time Further Education course will be considered on an individual basis at the College's discretion).
Level 3 Access Courses (full-time)
If you are in receipt of a FE grant, no fees apply.
If you are aged 19 or older and have already achieved a Level 3 qualification (3 A Level equivalent), fees will apply.
Details of fees are available from any campus reception.
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