HN Business Review

A limited review of HNC and HND Business will commence in September. The review will be informed by the consultation carried out in late 2018, and the recent annual surveys.

The scope of the review will include the following aims:

  • Update subject content
  • Increase flexibility of assessment
  • Improve flexibility of the qualification structure

This will involve the development of new units, revision of some existing units and potentially a reduction in the mandatory content of one or both Group Awards.

Due to timescales, the review will proceed on the basis of existing Design Principles rather than as part of the forthcoming HN Next-Gen Pilot.

However, with the aim of increasing flexibility of assessment, consideration will be given to embedding some of the assessment approaches used in the HN Enhancements Pilot in some of the units.

Revision of Units and New Units

Changes to content will be focused on mandatory units in Business Management, Economics, Accounting and Graded Units.

Two new units are also in development:

Business Fundamentals/Managing a Business Organisation (working title)

The aim of the unit is to provide knowledge relating to the management and functions of business organisations, linking key areas across an organisation in a holistic way. Potential content includes – characteristics of different organisational models, functional areas, processes/workflows, capital/cash flow and supply chain. There will be potential for content to link with other Units. This is likely to be a two credit (16 SCQF credits) unit at SCQF level 7.

Digital Technologies in Business

The aim of the unit is to enable learners to recognise and evaluate the impact of digital technology on the evolution of business organisations and markets. Content will include ‘Digital Disruption’ i.e. the emergence of new business models and the competitive advantages they bring over established ones; the influence of Big Data, AI and ‘the Internet of Things’ including the ethical and legal issues involved. There will be potential for content to link with other Units. This is likely to be a one-credit (8 SCQF credits) unit at SCQF 7.

Qualification Structures

A key aim is to enhance the flexibility of the HNC and HND qualification structures. It is envisaged this may be achieved by reducing the mandatory section and/or introducing some form of restricted optional section in addition to the existing wider optional section.

Timeline

The first QRT meeting will take place in late September. The new Group Awards are expected to be validated by early 2021.

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