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HND in Business

The HND in Business is designed to prepare you with the knowledge and fundamental skills to navigate the highly competitive and ever-changing business industry.

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  • Tuition fees: £1,205 - £8,100
  • Programme level: SCQF level 8
  • UCAS code: ALM2
  • Start date: September or January
  • Study mode: Full-time, Part-time
  • Duration: 2 years

What will I study?

The HND is the second year of a 2-year course in Business focussing on the managerial skills needed to succeed within the business sector. The HND can prepare you for a career (or further studies) in a number of specialist areas, for example, Human Resource Management, Marketing, and Financial Services.

You will gain insight into the different factors that influence modern-day businesses as well as the structures and strategies adopted by organisations to develop, grow and succeed.

With business roles being in high demand, particularly within the UK, studying the HND in Business will provide a pathway into the industry for ambitious and committed students.

Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur, have interest in management, looking to refresh your skills and knowledge or are simply seeking a change in career, our Business course is for you.

All teaching for this programme will be delivered in person, on campus. Classes will not be delivered online. 

 

Download the programme handbook

What will I learn?

  • Develop knowledge and skills required for employment in a business environment
  • Acquire skills and knowledge in key business functions such as Management, Marketing, and Accounting as well as developing knowledge and skills in Economics, Communication, Problem Solving and the influence of technology on the business environment and businesses themselves
  • Provide a grounding for students looking to start up their own business by integrating a Business Fundamentals unit while exploring emerging digital business models and getting an introduction to accounting
  • Develop study and research skills
  • Develop transferable skills including Core Skills to the levels demanded by employers

Programme information

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

After completing the HND in Business you are currently eligible for the Associate Grade of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) with the designatory letters ACMI. HND Business graduates who also have three years management experience are currently eligible for the Member Grade with the designatory letters MCMI. For more information click here

The Chartered Institute of Bankers for Scotland currently accept holders of the HNC and HND directly into their higher level qualification leading to MCIBS (Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers in Scotland). Click here for more information.

Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)

As of the 1st October 2020 CIMA accredited programmes will be given exemptions in line with the new global CIMA accreditation policy. Please click here for the list of qualification exceptions

Entry requirements for year 2 entry

See HNC in Business for year 1 entry

  • Successful completion of the HNC in Business PLUS
  • 2 Highers or equivalent and National 5 Maths or equivalent
  • Relevant National Qualifications or National Qualification Group Awards at SCQF level 5 or 6

English Language requirements 

Teaching takes place solely in English and you must demonstrate that their English language proficiency is at a level that will allow you to follow your intended programme successfully.

If English is not your first language you must hold a qualification as evidence of your English language skills. Full details of the qualifications we accept, can be found here.

Student Visa requirements for study in the UK

The UK Government approves certain English language qualifications as being Secure English Language Tests (SELT). These meet the government’s requirements for visa applications.

Al-Maktoum College will accept the following:

  • IELTS – 6.0 (Minimum of 5.5 in each component and 6.0 in writing) or equivalent
  • LanguageCert – B2 or equivalent

Full entry requirement information can be found here

Successful completion of the HND in Business may allow you to progress to year 3 of a related degree programme or alternatively into employment.

View the full University articulation routes here.   

The HNC and HND in Business prepare learners for entry to a wide range of positions in employment. Below are a small selection of those where progression is possible directly or with further study or experience:

  • Business development manager
  • Business change manager
  • Project manager
  • Business analyst
  • Operations analyst
  • Marketing officer

Teaching

  • You will have 12 hours of class time per week with an additional 12 hours of independent study expected
  • Classes will be in the form of lectures and small group tutorials
  • All teaching for this programme will be delivered in person, on campus. Classes will not be delivered online.

Assessment

Assessment will be through reports, essays, and case studies as well as presentations, group assessments, exams and projects.

The HND includes a Graded Unit, which is a project in the form of a practical assignment. It is designed to assess your ability to retain and integrate the knowledge and skills gained in the award and to also grade your achievement.

There are three grades:

A — if you achieve 70% or over

B — if you achieve between 60% and 69%

C — if you achieve between 50% and 59%.

Applications to the HNC/D in Business or the HNC/Diploma in Management & Leadership may apply directly using the College online application system or may also be submitted through UCAS.

UCAS decisions will be made directly through the Track function, however we my contact you to provide further information or to invite you to a short informal interview.

For the direct application, please make sure you have the following information:

  • Academic transcripts and qualification certificates
  • Proof of English language proficiency (if required)
  • Passport details
  • Referee details

We consider all aspects of the application: academic qualifications, personal statement and references.

If you have any questions, please contact admissions@almcollege.ac.uk

Project Management: Strategy, Decision-making and Risk
Manage Operational Resources

This unit is designed to develop the skills required to analyse the management of operational resources in an organisation. It enables you to recognise the key role of the transformation process and how all aspects of operational management are built around it. The unit focuses on key areas of operations management within service and product organisations like: quality; ethics and environmental considerations; the impact of technology; health and safety; and budgetary control.

Preparing Financial Forecasts

This unit is designed to enable you to develop an understanding of the use of management accounting information within a business organisation. It develops the skills required to prepare basic management accounting reports. In addition, it will also enable you to learn the financial techniques used for making decisions in relation to costing and budgeting, pricing and investments.

Human Resource Management: An Introduction

This introductory unit is intended for students who plan to pursue an extended course of study in Human Resource Management (HRM), or who are considering a career in this discipline. It is also suitable for those who may wish to gain a holistic overview of how human resource management can add value to an organisation. It is designed to develop knowledge of the role of human resource management as a key function within organisations and to develop an understanding of the factors of change that have shaped and continue to influence the discipline of human resource management.

Economics: Micro and Macro Theory and Application

This unit is designed to build on your knowledge of introductory economics and expose you to microeconomic and macroeconomic applications of theory. The unit allows the introduction of current issues in economics and provides an opportunity for you to analyse and evaluate these issues.

Managing Business Culture & Strategy

This unit is designed to enhance your understanding of business strategy and how it can be developed and managed within the culture of an organisation. It highlights the dynamic nature of the business environment and the role that business strategy and organisational culture can play in improving the long-term performance of an organisation.

Management: Leadership at Work

The purpose of this unit is to enable you to analyse approaches to leadership and apply them to leading a team within a functional area or department of an organisation. It emphasises the need to ensure that the leadership approach can motivate, support and direct people to achieve the vision and objectives for a team in a given work area.

Individual Employment Relations: Law

This unit is designed to provide you with the knowledge and understanding of the main principles of employment law. It is intended to provide underpinning legal knowledge which can be applied in the workplace. This unit would be relevant to those working or intending to work in a range of contexts such as HR, in-house and specialist legal teams, and voluntary organisations such as Citizens Advice.

Economics: The World Economy

This unit introduces the world economy, the main focus being the key features of the global economic environment. It advances economic concepts and allows candidates to develop their research and analytical skills. The core economic issues that are focused on in this unit are trade, international payments, exchange rates and economies undergoing change.

Human Resource Management Practice
Managing Market Resources

This unit is designed to provide an understanding of the knowledge and skills required to manage and develop the marketing function and resources. It gives you an insight into the key factors that impact on decisions relating to managing marketing, as well as the techniques available for motivating and appraising the performance of marketing teams.

Business Graded Unit 2

This unit is a closed-book examination to assess a range of knowledge and skills achieved through study of the mandatory units.

Individual Employment Relations: Practice
Presentation Skills
Statistics

What our students say

To anyone who is considering studying at Al-Maktoum College, I would encourage you to go for it. You will be glad you did. Not only will you receive a high level of teaching but you will be supported and valued along the way. Alm College is very accommodating and strives to ensure the students have the best experience and receive the best education possible.

Jaber Business Student

There are no limits at the Al-Maktoum College. If you are looking for a bespoke and outstanding learning experience, and a College that values your time, your commitment and supports you to achieve the very best of yourself, then, think or look no further.

Amina Business Student
Pictured: Hamza

My overall student experience with the College has been really educative and exciting. I can boldly say that joining Alm College has been the best decision I have made for my education so far. Alm College has become a second family to me.

Hamza Business Student
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