Year 12 – 13

Business

Key Stage: KS5

Exam Board: Edexcel

Qualification Gained: BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Business

Assessment Breakdown: The course is assessed through a combination of external assessments and internally assessed coursework units.

External Assessment
Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign – supervised assessment based on a pre-released case study
Unit 3: Personal and Business Finance – written examination focused on financial management and decision-making

 

Entry Requirements: Eight or more GCSEs at level 9-4. Grade 5 minimum in GCSE English and Mathematics. If you have studied GCSE or BTEC Level 2 Business, you should have achieved a minimum grade 5 or Merit.

At Hammersmith Academy, our BTEC Level 3 Business course develops students’ understanding of how modern organisations operate while building the practical skills needed for the world of work. The course combines academic knowledge with applied learning, enabling students to explore real business scenarios and develop confidence in decision-making, communication and problem-solving. Students are encouraged to think critically about the role businesses play in society and the economy, while developing the ambition and resilience needed to succeed in a competitive global environment.

Our BTEC Level 3 Business curriculum provides a practical and engaging approach to studying business, combining theoretical understanding with real-world application. Students explore how organisations operate, how businesses attract and retain customers, and how financial and strategic decisions influence success.

Through coursework, case studies and applied projects, students gain insight into key areas of business including marketing, finance, entrepreneurship and human resource management. The course encourages analytical thinking and professional communication while helping students understand the wider role businesses play in society and the economy.

At Key Stage 5, the course offers a balanced structure of internally assessed coursework and externally assessed units, enabling students to demonstrate their learning in a variety of ways. This structure supports a wide range of learners while helping students build confidence, independence and strong organisational skills.

Students regularly apply their knowledge to realistic business scenarios, developing the ability to research, evaluate and present ideas effectively. This approach ensures that learning remains relevant to contemporary business practice and prepares students for further study and employment.

This curriculum aims to:

  • Develop knowledge of how businesses operate in local and global contexts
  • Build analytical and decision-making skills through real business examples
  • Strengthen communication, teamwork and problem-solving abilities
  • Encourage entrepreneurial thinking and innovation
  • Prepare students for university, apprenticeships and careers in business-related fields

By the end of the course, students have developed a strong understanding of the modern business environment alongside transferable skills that are highly valued in higher education and the workplace.

Year-by-Year Curriculum

Year 12

Modules include:

Module 1-3: Developing a Marketing Campaign

Students investigate how businesses research markets and develop effective marketing campaigns, analysing target audiences, marketing objectives and promotional strategies.

Module 4: Exploring Business + Coursework

Students develop an understanding of different types of businesses, their structures, stakeholders and the external factors that influence business activity, while applying this knowledge through coursework tasks.

Module 5-6: Personal and Business Finance
Students explore financial planning in both personal and business contexts, including budgeting, financial documents, profit and loss, and analysing financial performance.

Year 13

Modules include:

Module 1: Content to be confirmed once further curriculum information is available.

Module 2: Content to be confirmed once further curriculum information is available.

Module 3: Finance
Students explore how organisations manage financial performance, interpret financial information and evaluate financial decision-making.

Module 4: Recruitment and Selection
Students investigate how organisations recruit and select employees, exploring workforce planning, job roles and effective recruitment strategies.

Module 5: Content to be confirmed once further curriculum information is available.

Module 6: Content to be confirmed once further curriculum information is available.

Skills Gained

Students build a range of valuable professional skills, including:

  • Business analysis and strategic thinking
  • Professional communication and presentation skills
  • Business planning and decision-making
  • Understanding profit, loss and financial performance
  • Analysing customer behaviour and market trends

These skills support both academic progression and future employment.

Partnerships & Enrichment

Students benefit from opportunities to engage with external organisations and gain insight into real business environments.

Key partnerships include:

  • The Haberdashers’ Company
  • Entrepreneurs’ Company
  • Livery Company Entrepreneurship Challenge
  • Young Enterprise

These partnerships provide enrichment opportunities such as talks, mentoring and industry insight, helping students connect their learning with the realities of modern business.

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Potential Careers & Progression

Studying Business can lead to a wide range of university courses, apprenticeships and careers, including:

Business Management | Finance and Banking | Marketing and Advertising | Accountancy | Entrepreneurship and Business Start-ups 

Students develop transferable skills that are highly valued across many sectors, particularly in roles involving leadership, organisation and strategic decision-making.