Level 3 Diploma in Small Business and Social Enterprise Start-up (RQF)

• Access Duration: 12 Months
• Awarded by: ATHE
• Credit Value: 60
• Guided Learning Hours (GLH): 360
• Total Qualifications Time (TQT): 600
• Qualification Level: 3
• Qualification Number: 603/6571/7

• Understand the key steps and requirements for starting a small business, from business planning to setting it up.
• Create a detailed and actionable business plan, including market analysis, value proposition, and growth strategies.
• Understand the unique challenges and opportunities of social enterprises, focusing on balancing profit.
• Develop and implement effective marketing and sales strategies tailored to small businesses and social enterprises.
• Review the performance of an enterprise independently.

This Level 3 Diploma in Small Business and Social Enterprise Start-up opens the door to exciting career opportunities. You will be equipped with essential business knowledge and practical skills to confidently set up your own business. You are well-positioned to bring your ideas to life and drive them toward success. Additionally, you may pursue roles in business development or within charities, start-ups, and non-profit organisations.

Here are some career prospects you can explore once you’re certified.

• Business Owner
• Entrepreneur
• Social Enterprise Leader
• Business Development Manager
• Sustainability Manager
• Business Advisor

• Learners must be over the age of 16.
• 5 or more GCSEs at grades 4/C and above.
• Other related Level 2 subjects.
• Appropriate Level 2 standard in English and Mathematics so learners can complete the unit assignments.
• Other equivalent international qualifications.

• This course can be completed in a matter of months or over the course of a year. Most learners will complete this course in 6-9 months. Some learners may complete the course quicker, depending on their personal circumstances and available study time. We will accommodate your pace, providing unlimited support for 12 months.
• The ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Small Business and Social Enterprise Start-up requires approximately 360 guided study hours. This figure is an estimate and depends on how much time you can dedicate to your studies and how quickly you grasp the teaching, learning concepts, and course materials.

• Written Assignments: There are six core units. You will complete written assignments which will be carefully reviewed and evaluated by an assessor. These assignments will allow you to demonstrate your knowledge of the course theory. You can achieve a Pass, Merit, or Distinction for each unit based on the quality of the work submitted. (Pass 180 – 215, Merit 216 – 269, Distinction 270+). To pass a unit, you must successfully meet all the learning outcomes at the pass level according to the assessment criteria for that unit. To earn merit or distinction, you need to show that you have met the higher standards required for those grades.
• Internal Marking and Feedback: All completed assignments are marked internally within South London College. You will receive constructive feedback and guidance from your personal tutor, which will support your learning and improvement.
• Assessor Support: You will have comprehensive access to support from assessors via various channels including telephone, WhatsApp, online discussions, email, and web chats.

For further details or any specific questions about the assessment process, please click the ‘Enquire Now’ button below to get in touch with us.

Next Steps for a Possible Academic Progression Pathway: 

• Step 01: Level 4 Extended Diploma in Management
• Step 02: Foundation Degree in Business Management
• Step 03: Bachelor’s Degree in Social Enterprise Management or Business Management

Alternative progression pathway;

• Higher-level apprenticeships in business or management

Ofqual-regulated qualifications are overseen by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual) in England. Ofqual is England’s main government-appointed regulatory body regulating school, college, and vocational qualifications in the UK. Ofqual ensures these qualifications meet high standards of quality and rigour, providing assurance they are recognised and respected by employers, educational institutions, and professional bodies. This oversight guarantees the qualifications maintain consistency, transparency, and credibility, meaning potential employers and organisations will have confidence in the individual’s skills and abilities, making them competitive candidates. They support professional development and compliance with industry standards, particularly in regulated fields such as healthcare, education, and public services. Ofqual-regulated qualifications are accepted abroad or can be easily converted to the country’s equivalent.

RQF

The Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) is a system used in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales to categorise and regulate qualifications based on their level of difficulty and size. RQF is jointly regulated by England’s regulator Ofqual, Wales DCELLS, and Northern Ireland’s CCEA. The RQF ensures qualifications are standardised, making it easier for learners, employers, and educational institutions to understand the value and level of each qualification. The framework consists of nine levels, from Entry Level to Level 8, with each level indicating the complexity and depth of learning. For a qualification to be recognised as part of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), it must be created or approved by an awarding body that is acknowledged by one of the government-appointed regulatory bodies.