Business - Level 3

Start Date: 1st September 2025

Length 35 weeks
Study Full-Time
Location Carlisle College

Qualification Gained

Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Business

Levels Explained

Apply Now Print course information

More about the course

Do you see yourself owning your own business one day? How about running a successful franchise or leading a successful team?

This Level 3 Business course will help you to develop the skills and knowledge you need to succeed in any business environment, whether your goal is Management, Finance or running a business empire of your own.

On this course you will gain understanding of all aspects of running a successful business from HR and recruitment to marketing and sales. This course can give you a head start, whether you choose to go straight into employment after the first year, continue onto the extended Diploma or following successful completion of the second-year progress onto higher education.

As a business student you will learn how businesses thrive on innovation and how you can play your part.

Entry requirements

5 GCSEs at grades 9-4 (A-C) including English and maths

BTEC Level 2 or similar qualification with GCSE English and maths grades at 9-4 (A-C)

Please note that entry requirements and course offer can be subject to change at any time. Applicants will undergo an interview before being offered a place on the course.

What will I achieve?

Upon successful completion of this course you will achieve a Level 3 BTEC National Foundation Diploma in Business.

What will I learn?

Exploring Business
Developing a Marketing Campaign
Personal and Business Finance
Managing an Event
Recruitment and Selection Process
Investigation Customer Service
International Business
Principles of Management
Business Decision Making
Market Research
Digital Marketing
Training and Development
Pitching for a new business

How is the course taught?

Practical work
Lectures
Projects
Case studies
Presentations

How am I assessed?

Examination
Written reports
Presentations
Role plays
Exam
Observations
Case studies

Work experience opportunities

As a business student, you will have the opportunity to get involved with a range of activities and “live briefs”. These will see you working with real businesses on projects and problem solving, covering areas of business including the development of social media marketing campaigns, solving recruitment issues, developing e-commerce opportunities and events management.

You will work on the live briefs to develop a broad range of skills, including communication, teamwork, time management, adhering to deadlines and enhancing your leadership and project management skills. This will enhance your CV and personal statements for future university and job application.

Where can I progress?

Upon successful completion of this course, you will have the opportunity to apply to university, undertake apprenticeships or enter employment.

Course content would be suitable for those aspiring for careers such as, but not limited to Marketing, Accountancy, Human Relations.

Course Costs

If you are aged 16-18 when you begin your course you are likely to be eligible for free tuition. Detailed information can be found within the financial support section.

Call us: 01228 822 700

Email us: info@carlisle.ac.uk

Visit us Apply now

Husamettin Kocaturkmen

Business Tutor

With a First-Class BA (Hons) degree in International Tourism and Business Management, I bring both academic expertise and hands-on industry experience to the classroom. Over the past four years, I have been teaching and inspiring students in various business disciplines, including customer service, finance, marketing, and event management. Before becoming a lecturer, I gained valuable experience in retail and hospitality management in the UK & abroad, which allows me to share real-life industry insights that enrich my students’ learning experience. I am passionate about business and enjoy connecting theory with practice to prepare students for their future careers. I am particularly excited to support the launch of our T Level in Business Management and Administration and look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our fantastic team to deliver high-quality education. Teaching is not just my profession—it’s my passion, and I truly enjoy helping our students achieve their goals and aspirations.

Peter Cunningham

Business Tutor

I studied Hotel management at Carlisle College after I left Trinity, and moved south to work in the hotel industry for several years before moving to airport passenger catering at London Stansted Airport. I developed my career working in area manager roles for Greene King, Whitbread, Starbucks, and most recently Odeon Cinemas where I was area manager for East Scotland. I made the move to education for a variety of reasons, the main one being my belief that I had so much to offer new students by way of industry knowledge that could help provide context to my lessons. Hilary Clinton said “Don’t confuse having a career with having a life” and this is a belief I subscribe to, and working at this college allows me to achieve the correct work-life balance in a job that gives me more satisfaction and sense of achievement than any other job I have had.

Amber Murray

Progress Coach

I am a Progress Coach and member of the Safeguarding Team, and it is my job to ensure all students feel safe in college. I monitor attendance and support students during their college career. One project I am working on is our “End Hate” campaign to help educate against discrimination. I enjoy travelling. I spent about a year working as an ESOL teacher in Senegal and another year travelling in North America. I have an MA in Politics from the University of Glasgow and now I am looking to help and support others in their journey through education.

Esme Fawcett

My name is Esme Fawcett and I joined Carlisle College in September 2023, after completing a year of Sixth Form and decided it wasn't for me anymore. I joined the business level 3 course which after the 2 years is completed, is equivalent to 3 A levels and it was the best decision I have ever made. The particular units I enjoyed in the course were Developing a Marketing Campaign and Digital Marketing since you learnt about what strategies business use to market their products and services and you get to learn the behaviours and psychology behind people's purchases and shopping habits, and how influenced they are from marketing. I also enjoyed the Finance unit since it provided me with the knowledge on mortgages, different types of bank accounts and savings which has helped me out a lot from moving into adult life. Finally, international business is another unit provided in this course, which allowed me to learn about how international businesses operate and how business differs in different markets which I think is essential information in this generation to have. This course has helped me secure a conditional offer for a degree apprenticeship for Barclays Bank PLC in Manchester, has given me the knowledge to prepare me for my role and I couldn't recommend this course enough to anyone, even if you're not particularly interested in business, there is so much more to learn than just how a business is operated!

Charlotte Devlin

I'm so grateful for my experience at Carlisle College, especially for the new friendships I've made, and many group projects that have helped me grow as a person. My time doing L3 Business has played a key role in shaping who I am today, and given me confidence to continue my progress at Northumbria University!

Olivia Hammond

Level 3 Business Student

My work placement at David Allen has allowed me to gain valuable insights into financial management and taught me how to apply my skills in real-world scenarios. Each week, I am challenged with a new department that encourages me to input my skills and communicate with the people around me to reach out for help to strengthen my knowledge further.