National 5 Business Management in a Nutshell

Note: 

Information below is for National 5 Business Management. Depending on progress, some pupils may switch to Business & IT Level 5 NPA course which covers the majority of the same content but is internally assessed on a pass/fail basis with no final exam. A pass in Business & IT NPA is equivalent to a grade C at National 5. 

Purpose:

The course is designed to highlight the way in which organisations operate and the steps that they take to achieve their goals. This will be done through combining practical and theoretical aspects of business learning through the use of real-life business contexts. The skills, knowledge and understanding gained will be embedded in current business practice and theory, and will reflect the integrated nature of organisations, their functions and their decision-making processes.

Course Details: 

The course will allow the pupils to:

• To be introduced to the business environment including activities relating to the role of business and entrepreneurship within our society.

• To develop an understanding relating to the internal and external issues facing organisations in the management of people and finance.

• To develop an understanding relating to the importance of having an effective marketing and operations systems in Business.

Skills Developed

Studying this course at either National 4 or National 5 will develop the following skills which can easily be transferred to different areas of study.

• Demonstrate knowledge of the impact of business activities on Society

• Apply the ideas of ethical and effective business decisions

• Communicate straightforward business ideas, opinions and information

• Demonstrate knowledge of entrepreneurial skills needed in business

• Interpreting and evaluating business financial information

• Analysing the effectiveness of marketing activities

Assessment

There is a 2 hour question paper (90 marks) in the May diet of exams and an assignment to be completed in term 3. 

Class assessments are done after each topic to confirm understanding.

Progression: 

Business Management will lead to certification at National level 4 and 5 depending on the ability of the pupil.

Completion of this course would mean that a pupil could then further study Business Management at National 5, Higher and possibly Advanced Higher levels in S5-S6.

National 5 Admin & IT in a Nutshell

Purpose:

The key purpose of this course is to develop the pupils administrative and IT skills to enable pupils to contribute to the effective functioning of organisations in administrative positions.

Course Details: 

The course will:

• Develop an understanding of administration in the workplace

• Develop an understanding of good customer care and its benefits to organisations.

• Develop IT skills and use them to perform administrative tasks.

• Organise and support events like meetings.

Skills Developed:

Studying this course at either National 4 or National 5 will develop the following skills which can easily be transferred to different areas of study.

• The ability to look at a problem and identify the different steps required to overcome it.

• The ability to design and create the best solution using the most suitable tools for the task

• The ability to evaluate what they have done

• Report and present clear and concise information

• An understanding of the effect computing developments have on the world we live in

Assessment

There is a two hour question paper (50 marks) in the May diet of exams and a three hour (70 marks) assignment completed in term 3.

Progression: 

Administration and IT will lead to certification at National level 4 or 5 depending on the ability of the pupil.

Completion of this course would mean that a pupil could then further study Administration and IT at Higher level.

Higher Business Management in a Nutshell

This course gives pupils the option to study the Business & IT Level 6 NPA or the full Business Skills FA, the difference being that the FA includes a work placement. For further info re the FA please go to the Foundation Apprenticeships page. 

Higher Admin in a Nutshell

Purpose:

Administration is a growing sector which cuts across the entire economy and offers wide-ranging employment opportunities. Moreover, administrative and IT skills have extensive application, not only in employment, but also in many other walks of life.

The Course aims to enable learners to:

• Develop knowledge and understanding of administration in the workplace and its importance

• Develop a range of advanced IT skills for processing and managing information

• Develop a range of skills to communicate complex information effectively, making appropriate use of IT

• Acquire skills in managing the organisation of events

Course Details: 

The course which is a blend of applied, experiential learning and related theory develops both generic and subject-specific skills in administration-related contexts. The generic skills include the thinking skills of understanding, applying, analysing and evaluating and aspects of literacy and numeracy. The subject-specific skills which include a range of IT skills, some of them advanced, will enable learners to organise, manage and communicate information, take responsibility for key administrative tasks and manage the organisation of events (including meetings)

The course comprises of three mandatory areas of study:

Administrative Theory and Practice: This area of study enables learners to develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of administration in, and the impact of IT on the workplace.

IT Solutions for Administrators: This area of study develops learners’ skills in IT, some of them advanced, and in organising and managing information in administration-related contexts.

Communication in Administration: This area of study enables learners to develop a range of IT skills, some of them advanced, for research and communicating complex information for others including maintenance of security and confidentiality of information.

The Course Assessment consists of an Assignment (70 marks) and an Exam Question Paper (30marks)

Progression: 

• Other SQA qualifications in Administration and IT related areas

• Study at further education 

•  Employment and/or training

Higher Accounting in a Nutshell 

Accounting is a key function in many organisations. Effective accounting procedures provide timely and relevant information to management, helping organisations perform successfully.

The course covers Financial Accounting which includes layouts for Partnership and PLC accounts and we look at how to interpret the information to advise on how to improve performance and Management Accounting which focuses more on costs for jobs and services, budgeting and decision making.

The course is assessed through a course assignment and the external exam.  There will be an end of topic test for each topic.

The course assignment is worth 1/3 of the final grade, is completed in school under exam conditions and marked by the SQA.

Achieving Higher Accounting can lead to the Foundation Apprenticeship course, apprenticeships with established Accountancy organisations eg Deloitte, Ernst & Young in the UK or around the world, UCAS points for College or University courses.