Take the first step towards your career in business by gaining the relevant academic subject knowledge required for higher education study.

This is an exciting new course which is designed for people aged 19 or over and is perfect for anyone looking to start a business, progress in business or work in accounting, finance, HR, marketing and management.

The course is well-established and widely accepted by universities, providing you with UCAS tariff points that are equivalent to three A Levels.

Subjects/Topics Covered

The modules in this course typically include:

• Business
• Human Resource Management
• Principles of Marketing
• Financial Accounting
• Study Skills

Assessment Method

The Access to HE Diploma is designed to reflect the demands of undergraduate study. It includes a range of assessment methods such as essays, reports, in class exams, presentations, and portfolios.

Progression Opportunities

This course will help you progress onto a variety of degree courses within business pathways, including University Centre Weston’s:

• Business Management and Sustainability BA (Hons)
• Project Management Degree Apprenticeship

Plus, degrees in universities across the country, including:

• Business
• Management
• Human Resources
• Law
• Finance
• Marketing
• International Relationships Physiotherapy
• Dietetics

Additional Support

At Weston College, we're passionate about helping our adult learners prepare for a bright future.

We understand that whether you're looking to boost your career prospects, learn new skills or even switch careers entirely, it can be a daunting process. That's why our friendly and highly qualified careers advisors are here to guide you every step of the way.

Our dedicated team of experts is on hand to provide you with tailored advice and support to help you make the right decisions about your future career and course choices. Whether you need help developing your employability skills, exploring your options or deciding which course to take, we're here to help you achieve your goals. We also offer a free Career Coach programme, which provides a detailed careers assessment to help you discover your strengths and interests. You can then discuss your results with one of our advisors, who can point you in the right direction and recommend courses that will help you achieve your career aspirations.

Plus, as a Microsoft College, all of our students and apprentices get FREE access to LinkedIn Learning. This is an amazing online platform that offers expert-led courses to help you develop your business, technology-related, and creative skills.

At Weston College, we're dedicated to helping you achieve success in your career, whatever your goals may be. So why not take that first step today and join our adult community of learners? We can't wait to help you unlock your full potential!

Financing Your Course

At Weston College, we believe that learning should be accessible to everyone. That's why we offer a range of adult courses that could be free or significantly discounted. Apply online today and our friendly team will be in touch to see how we can ensure you can enrol and get the best price for your course. Don't let finances hold you back from pursuing your passion and advancing your career. Apply now and let us help you achieve your goals.

Entry Requirements

It is expected that applicants should have a GCSE grade 4/C in English. GCSE grade 4/C in maths is desirable but can be studied alongside Access if not already achieved. For both English and maths, Level 2 equivalents will be considered, but applicants must check that this will be accepted by their chosen university prior to starting on the Access course.

Economics is more than just numbers and money, it is the study of the world around us from a social, financial, and cultural perspective. An A Level in Economics provides a solid foundation for further studies and a successful career in the dynamic world of finance, business, or policymaking.

The course covers a wide range of topics, including microeconomics, macroeconomics, market structures, economic policies, international trade, and economic growth. You'll have the opportunity to analyse and evaluate economic data, understand the factors influencing economic decision-making, and explore the interplay between individuals, businesses, and governments.

Our Sixth Form, located at Loxton Campus, is designed to provide you with a stimulating learning environment. You'll have access to modern facilities, including dedicated business classrooms and boardrooms equipped with up-to-date resources and technology. You'll have access to relevant texts, economic journals, and online databases, to enhance your understanding and stay updated with the latest economic developments.

Our experienced teachers are passionate about economics and bring real-world industry experience to the classroom. They will guide you through the programme, fostering an engaging learning environment where you can participate in in-depth discussions and debates, explore diverse perspectives, challenge economic theories, and develop your analytical skills.

Our Tutor Learning Mentors will provide guidance and support to help you excel in your studies. They will assist you in developing effective study strategies and prepare you for assessments and examinations. Additionally, we offer support and guidance for career planning and progression, helping you explore potential pathways within the field of economics.
When you study with us, you'll automatically become part of our Career Excellence Hub, which offers unrivalled access to potential employers and additional opportunities to enhance your career prospects.

In the first year of your course, you'll have the opportunity to follow a pathway that aligns with your career aspirations. Choose from options such as maths, young enterprise, and social enterprise, to provide you with additional skills and experiences to enhance your career prospects.

WHAT DOES THIS COURSE INVOLVE

You will look at decisions made by organisations and the government, and the impact they have on the economy. You will cover exchange rates, unemployment, inflation, national debt, growth, worldwide markets, and energy pricing policies.

You will widen your knowledge through the investigative nature of economics, which provides excellent opportunities to excel in both written and verbal communication. Economics is perfectly matched with business studies for a career in a business environment.

• Economic methodology

• Price determination in a competitive market

• Production, costs and revenue

• Competitive and concentrated markets

• The market mechanism and government intervention in markets

• The national economy in a global context

• The measurement of macroeconomic performance

• Macroeconomy: the circular flow of income, AD/AS analysis, and related concepts

• Economic performance

• Macroeconomic policy

This programme is part of a Sixth Form offer, learners typically choose three or four A Level subjects to study over a two-year period. Which A Levels you study can affect your choices at university and your future career. Take a look here at our other A Level programmes.

ASSESSMENT METHOD

You will take exams in your second year.

FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES

This is a great A Level to take if you’re looking to study economics at university. You could also progress to the degree in BA (Hons) Business Management and Sustainability at University Centre Weston.

Economics also opens up many career opportunities including those in business, management, politics, finance, banking, management consultancy, and economic journalism.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Five GCSEs at grade 9-4, including English, and grade 6 or above in maths.

WHAT DO I DO NEXT?

• Ready to apply – please use the ‘apply now’ button at the top of this page.

• I’d like to visit and see the facilities and chat to staff – see when our next open event is here: EVENTS | Weston College

• I have a quick question – use our Live Chat facility on the bottom right of this page.

This 5 day course has been designed as initial training for aspiring team leaders, supervisors, managers or persons in leadership and management roles without any prior training. This is an unaccredited course and provides an initial toolkit without lengthy assignments or exams.

COURSE CONTENT

• Developing yourself as a manager

• Understanding leadership & effective team working

• Workplace communication

• Understanding conflict management

• Performance management

Progression

• Progression from this training could be Level 3 Team Leader Apprenticeship, or Level 3 ILM or CIM qualifications

COST

• This course is co-funded by the ESFA.

• Employer contribution towards the cost of training is £300 per person*

*Adult Skills Funding Eligibility rules apply

COURSE INFORMATION

• Start date: 13th May 2025

• Day: Tuesdays

• Duration: 1 day per week for 5 weeks

• Location: Bristol Training Institute, Colston Avenue, Bristol BS1 1XH

Apprenticeships are an excellent way to develop and grow a business and promote internal staff development, but how does a line manager support an Apprentice?

This 1 Day Course will upskill existing Line managers (or soon to be Managers of Apprentices) with tools to understand how to Mentor and Coach an Apprentice effectively.

Throughout this course you will:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of an Apprenticeship structure and their components i.e. Knowledge, skills and behaviours, End Point Assessment, Off the Job Training

• Understand the difference between Coaching and Mentoring

• Explore Why Mentor?

• Explore Mentoring best practice and ‘The advice trap’

• Understand what Coaching is and when to apply

• Develop skills for Coaching

• Gain a tool kit methodology to apply practical application

Course Information

Date of training: 3rd or 5th June 2025

Duration: 1 day (9am til 5pm), face to face

Location: South West Skills Campus, Locking Road, Weston Super Mare, North Somerset, BS22 8ND

Eligibility: Delegates reside in England, are over the age of 19, have lived in the UK for 3 or more years and have the rights to work in the UK*

Cost: This course is co-funded by the Adult Skills Fund, the ESFA fund 50% of the cost of training and employers are required to contribute 50% of the cost of training priced at £90 per person.