NC Business SCQF levels 4 and 5

Welcome to the subject homepage for National Certificate (NC) in Business.

The NCs in Business at SCQF levels 4 and 5 have been designed as flexible business-oriented programmes covering a range of business skills. These courses have been designed to provide candidates with an understanding of the key business drivers such as finance, marketing and customer care along with the underlying skills of communication and ICT that are relevant to business. 

The NCs are intended for candidates who want to develop their knowledge and skills in a range of business areas.

These NCs are widely available in colleges.

Qualification structure

NC Business at SCQF level 4

Group Award Code: G973 44 (72 SCQF credit points)

NC Business at SCQF level 4 (667 KB)

Nine Mandatory Units

  • PC Passport: Introduction to the Internet and On-line Communications (F1F9 10)
  • Financial and Cost Accounting: An Introduction (F5G1 10)
  • Marketing: An Introduction (F5G2 10)
  • Economics: Basic Principles (F5G3 10)
  • Developing Skills for  Employment (F5G4 10)
  • Skills for Customer Care (F38W 10)
  • Business Enterprise (DV4G 10)
  • Enterprise Skills (J614 44)
  • Communication (F3GB 10)
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages: Everyday Communication (DV34 10)

Three Optional Units from the following areas:

  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Work Experience
  • Business Decision Areas
  • Business Management
  • PC Passport/IT
  • Administration/Reception
  • Numeracy
  • Language

NC Business at SCQF level 5

Group Award Code: G8WT 45 (72 SCQF credit points)

NC Business at SCQF level 5 (575 KB)

Eight Mandatory Units

  • PC Passport: IT Software —Spreadsheet and Database (F1FB 11)
  • PC Passport: IT Software — Word Processing and Presenting Information  (F1FC 11)
  • Enterprise Skills  (J614 45*)
  • Marketing: Basic Principles and Applications (HJ30 45*)
  • Skills for Customer Care (F38X 11)
  • Market Operations and the Scottish Economy (F391 11)
  • Recording Cash Transactions (J1K4 45)
  • Communication  (F3GB 11) OR Literacy* (H23W 75)

*Refer to history of changes for revision details

Four Optional Units from the following areas:

  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Work Experience/Working with Others
  • Business Decision Areas
  • Business Management
  • PC Passport/IT
  • Marketing
  • Numeracy
  • ESOL

Core skills

NC Business Level 4 — G973 44 — Embedded Core Skills (Components)

  • Communication — F3GB 10 (Oral Communication/Written Communication)
  • Numeracy — F3GF 10 (Using Graphical Information/Using Number)

NC Business Level 5 — G8WT 45 — Embedded Core Skills (Components)

  • Communication — F3GB 11 (Oral Communication/Written Communication)
  • Numeracy — F3GF 11 (Using Graphical Information/Using Number)
  • Problem Solving — F3GD 11 (Critical Thinking/Planning and Organising/Reviewing and Evaluating)
  • Working with Others — F3GE 11 (Working Co-operatively with Others/Reviewing Co-operative Contribution)

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How to assess

Assessment for the NCs is through a series of theoretical and practical assessments or tasks. Some assessments will be carried out under supervised open-book conditions, others under supervised closed-book conditions.

Deliver this qualification

Why study this qualification

These qualifications suit a wide range of candidates. It is ideally suited for:

  • 16-18 year old
  • school leavers
  • adult returners
  • potential candidates looking for access to Higher National qualifications
  • candidates whose first language is not English.

Candidates will be in a better position for a career in the sector.

Progression opportunities to further study exist.

Achievement is nationally recognised and certificated.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre. Candidates would normally be expected to be at a developmental stage in improving their skills, knowledge and understanding. A relevant Standard Grade at General level would be beneficial.

In some cases, however, candidates should demonstrate some prior knowledge and understanding. For example, the PC Passport Units at SCQF level 5 indicate that candidates should have appropriate PC Passport Units at SCQF level 4.

Employment and progression

The NCs in Business provide candidates with multiple exit routes and offer progression both into the employment market or further study.

The NC in Business at SCQF level 4 would enable candidates to progress to the NC in Business or NC Administration at SCQF level 5. This NC could open up employment opportunities in customer facing jobs in call centres or in retail.

The NC in Business at SCQF level 5 would enable candidates to progress to HNC/HNDs in Business, Accounting, Marketing, Financial Services or other related areas. Employment opportunities would be in customer facing jobs in areas such as retail, distribution, logistics or call centres.

Qualification structure

NC Business at SCQF level 4

Group Award Code: G973 44 (72 SCQF credit points)

NC Business at SCQF level 4 (667 KB)

Nine Mandatory Units

  • PC Passport: Introduction to the Internet and On-line Communications (F1F9 10)
  • Financial and Cost Accounting: An Introduction (F5G1 10)
  • Marketing: An Introduction (F5G2 10)
  • Economics: Basic Principles (F5G3 10)
  • Developing Skills for  Employment (F5G4 10)
  • Skills for Customer Care (F38W 10)
  • Business Enterprise (DV4G 10)
  • Enterprise Skills (J614 44)
  • Communication (F3GB 10)
  • English for Speakers of Other Languages: Everyday Communication (DV34 10)

Three Optional Units from the following areas:

  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Work Experience
  • Business Decision Areas
  • Business Management
  • PC Passport/IT
  • Administration/Reception
  • Numeracy
  • Language

NC Business at SCQF level 5

Group Award Code: G8WT 45 (72 SCQF credit points)

NC Business at SCQF level 5 (575 KB)

Eight Mandatory Units

  • PC Passport: IT Software —Spreadsheet and Database (F1FB 11)
  • PC Passport: IT Software — Word Processing and Presenting Information  (F1FC 11)
  • Enterprise Skills  (J614 45*)
  • Marketing: Basic Principles and Applications (HJ30 45*)
  • Skills for Customer Care (F38X 11)
  • Market Operations and the Scottish Economy (F391 11)
  • Recording Cash Transactions (J1K4 45)
  • Communication  (F3GB 11) OR Literacy* (H23W 75)

*Refer to history of changes for revision details

Four Optional Units from the following areas:

  • Economics
  • Accounting
  • Work Experience/Working with Others
  • Business Decision Areas
  • Business Management
  • PC Passport/IT
  • Marketing
  • Numeracy
  • ESOL

Core skills

NC Business Level 4 — G973 44 — Embedded Core Skills (Components)

  • Communication — F3GB 10 (Oral Communication/Written Communication)
  • Numeracy — F3GF 10 (Using Graphical Information/Using Number)

NC Business Level 5 — G8WT 45 — Embedded Core Skills (Components)

  • Communication — F3GB 11 (Oral Communication/Written Communication)
  • Numeracy — F3GF 11 (Using Graphical Information/Using Number)
  • Problem Solving — F3GD 11 (Critical Thinking/Planning and Organising/Reviewing and Evaluating)
  • Working with Others — F3GE 11 (Working Co-operatively with Others/Reviewing Co-operative Contribution)

Unit search