How it works
With our Business Studies course, you complete an OTHM Level 3 diploma (60 credits). It’s built to give you the practical skills and understanding you’ll need to get going in the Business industry.
Because it’s an online course, you can begin whenever suits you. It’s also genuinely flexible. Each module includes 40 hours of structured guided study online, plus an extra 30 to 50 hours of optional materials like recommended exercises, readings, digital resources, and self-check tasks.
To finish, you’ll submit 6 online assignments across the levels. Each one is typically around 2,000 to 3,000 words. After you successfully pass, you’ll earn your OTHM diploma, and you’ll be able to top up to a bachelor’s degree at a selection of UK universities.
Throughout the Business Management course, you’ll have support from a dedicated tutor (1-2-1), plus webinars and social learning forums. There are also extra materials to help you complete your diploma without feeling stuck. You can learn more about what’s available via the Student Resources page. You can also check what academic requirements we meet and which professional groups we’re connected to, so you know your learning experience is well supported.
Course Modules
This Level 3 Diploma in Business Studies includes 6 modules:
1. Introduction to Research and Academic Skills
In this module, you’ll build the academic basics you’ll rely on later. That means learning how to research well, reference properly, think critically, and write clearly. You’ll also practice how to organise assignments, use academic sources, and share your ideas in a convincing way.
2. Using IT for Business
You’ll look at how businesses use IT day to day. This module focuses on practical skills such as spreadsheets, word processing, presentations, and databases, with real business situations to keep everything grounded.
3. Introduction to Economics and Accounting
Get a straightforward introduction to how economies work and how businesses track their money. You’ll cover topics like supply and demand, budgeting, financial records, and how profit and loss are understood.
4. Introduction to the Business Environment
Here, you’ll explore different business types and how they’re set up. You’ll also examine how external factors, including laws and the wider economy, can influence a company. You’ll consider stakeholder roles, business goals, and the ethical questions that come with real decisions.
5. Introduction to Marketing
This module introduces the fundamentals of marketing. You’ll explore how customer needs are identified, how market research is carried out, how branding works, and how promotions are planned. The aim is to help you understand how businesses attract and keep customers in competitive markets.
6. Introduction to Customer Service
Customer service is more important than most people think. In this module, you’ll develop confidence in communication, learn how to handle complaints, look at customer satisfaction, and understand how service quality can directly affect business results.
The Level 3 Diploma in Business Studies includes 6 written assignments. Each assignment is usually around 2,000 to 3,000 words. You’ll receive guidance on both the modules and the assignments through the ‘Tutor’ area of the learning platform.
The assignment unit titles you’ll complete for the Level 3 course are:
Introduction to Research and Academic Skills
Using IT for Business
Introduction to Economics and Accounting
Introduction to the Business Environment
Introduction to Marketing
Introduction to Customer Service
For more information on the Level 3 units, you can view here: Level-3-Diploma-in-Business-Studies.pdf
Am I eligible for this programme?
To join our Level 3 Business Studies course, you need to be at least 16 years old and have completed full secondary education.
If you don’t have full secondary education (or an equivalent qualification), you might still be able to enrol depending on your work experience.
To get a clear answer, speak to a member of our friendly team at: 0333 772 1158
Career Progression
Studying business management can open doors to roles like business analyst, management trainee, or marketing coordinator.
Once you’ve built up some experience, you may move into mid-level positions such as project manager, marketing manager, or operations manager.
With more time and responsibility, some learners go on to senior leadership roles, including director, vice president, or CEO.
University Progression
After you complete the course, you can progress onto a full BA or BSc degree at a number of UK universities, either online or on campus.
A few examples include:
Coventry University
Anglia Ruskin University
London Metropolitan University
University of Derby
Middlesex University
