HND Business

This 2-year course provides both the practical skills and theoretical knowledge demanded by employers across a range of business related disciplines. The objective of the course is to provide a broad understanding of business and the business environment, which will help students determine their area of interest before continuing on to university, or into the workplace.

This programme develops entrepreneurial, organisational and inter-personal skills including leadership, motivation and team working.

Subjects studied provide a global understanding of a range of business related topics. Successful completion of this qualification enables students to progress directly to the second or third year of related degree programmes using our articulation agreements with partner universities (see below).

Please note, year one is available at both Falkirk and Stirling campuses, however, year two is available at Falkirk campus only.

Content

Year One:

Marketing
Economics
Human Resource Management
Spreadsheets, Word Processing and Presentations
Accounting for Business
Managing People and Organisations
Business Fundamentals with Emerging Technologies
Business Communication
Graded Unit 1

Year Two:

Managing Business Culture and Strategy
Project Management
Economics
Business Law
Preparing Financial Forecasts
Marketing Planning
Work Placement
Personal Development Planning
Research Skills
Graded Unit 2

Career Paths

This course prepares learners for a wide range of positions in a business environment such as:

Local Government
NHS
Marketing
Human Resource Management
Financial Services
Retail
Team leader/Supervisor
Self-Employment

Progression

On successful completion of this course students may progress onto a related degree programme.

Forth Valley College has formal articulation links in place for entry into year three of the following degree programmes:

MA (Hons) International Business Management (except year aborad option) - Heriot-Watt University
BBA (Hons) Business Administration - Heriot-Watt University
BA (Hons) Business Management - Glasgow Caledonian University
BA (Hons) Risk Management - Glasgow Caledonian University
BA (Hons) International Business - Glasgow Caledonian University
BA (Hons) Finance, Investment and Risk - Glasgow Caledonian University
BA (Hons) Business Management - Queen Margaret University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Analytics - Queen Margaret University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Digital Marketing - Queen Margaret University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Finance - Queen Margaret University
BA (Hons) Business Management with HRM - Queen Margaret University
BA (Hons) Business Management - Abertay University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Analytics - Abertay University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Events Management - Abertay University
BA (Hons) Business Management with People Management - Abertay University
BA (Hons) Digital Marketing & Business Management - Abertay University
BA (Hons) Digital Marketing with Events Management - Abertay University
BA (Hons) Business Management - University of the Highlands & Islands
MA (Hons) Business Management - University of the Highlands & Islands
BA (Hons) Business Management - Edinburgh Napier University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Entrepreneurship - Edinburgh Napier University
BA (Hons) Business Management with HRM - Edinburgh Napier University
BA (Hons) Business Management with Marketing - Edinburgh Napier University
BA (Hons) Business and Management - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Business with HR Management - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Business with Marketing - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Business Management (online) - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Business with Finance and Economics - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Events Management - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) International Hospitality Management - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) International Tourism Management - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Digital Marketing - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Digital Marketing with Business Analytics - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Fashion Management - Robert Gordon University
BA (Hons) Business Studies - University of Stirling
BA (Hons) Human Resource Management (CIPD Accredited) - University of Stirling
BA (Hons) Marketing - University of Stirling
BA (Hons) Business and Marketing - University of Stirling
BA (Hons) Management - University of Stirling
BA (Hons) Business and Management - University of Stirling
BA (Hons) Business and HRM - University of Stirling

Please note articulation links are subject to change and do not guarantee a place on any university course, minimum Graded Unit results may also be required. Students can still apply for entry to year one or two of many of these degree programmes and should check with individual universities for more detail. Each institution will have specific entry requirements.

Entry requirements

One of the following in relevant subject areas (such as English, Business, Admin, Maths, Modern Studies etc):

Two Higher Grades at C or above
Foundation Apprenticeship in Business Skills or Foundation Apprenticeship in Accounting
Successful completion of a relevant access course or an appropriate group of National Qualification units
Applicants who do not meet these criteria, but have relevant work experience or alternative qualifications may be considered
Applicants whose first language is not English should hold an appropriate ESOL qualification, or may otherwise be required to attend an ESOL assessment

Additional Requirements:

Final selection subject to application screening and possibly a telephone interview.
Please provide a detailed personal statement, outlining your suitability for the course, and your interest in the subject area.

More Info

Further advice for full-time applicants:

• Please ensure you have an online account before starting your application
• If you created your account prior to November 2024, you will need to register a new account
• Before starting the application process, please ensure you already hold or are working towards the relevant entry qualifications required for the course you are applying for
• Ensure you use your own personal email address when creating your online account
• Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an automated email immediately
• If you do not receive an acknowledgement e-mail immediately, please check your SPAM/Junk folder
• Please include as much detail as possible in your personal statement such as: the reason you are applying, future career plans, previous employment, relevant experience, hobbies and interests
• Disclosing support needs in your application will not affect your chances of being offered a place on a course at Forth Valley College
• If your application is successful, you will be invited for interview. For January start courses interviews will be in Nov/Dec and interviews for August start courses will take place between February and May
• If your application is unsuccessful, you will be offered support in finding a suitable alternative course
• Applicants who provide a mobile phone number on their application form will be sent a text reminder prior to the day of interview
• If you are unable to attend an interview or wish to withdraw your application - please email student.applications@forthvalley.ac.uk

Location

Falkirk Campus

Attendance

Full-Time

Start date

17 August 2026

SCQF Level

Level 8

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