What Is the Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Award in Business?

The Pearson BTEC International Level 2 Award in Business is a short introduction to business. It suits a learner whose main programme includes other subjects and who wants to study business alongside them. Pearson describes it as the size of one International GCSE.

What does the Award include?

The Award has 120 guided learning hours. GLH means the time a learner spends in lessons or other learning guided by a teacher.

Learners complete four units. Three are required:

• Business Purposes
• Business Organisations
• Financial Forecasting for Business

They also complete one optional unit. The options cover areas such as marketing, people at work, communication, teamwork and enterprise. Check the specification when planning, because the available options and their assessment type differ.

How is the Award assessed?

All the units are assessed internally, which means the centre assesses the learner’s work. The three required units use Pearson Set Assignments: Pearson writes the assignment and the teacher marks the work against the unit requirements. Some optional units also use a Pearson Set Assignment; others use an assignment set by the centre.

A Pearson Set Assignment is still an internally assessed unit. The difference is who writes the assignment. Read the Level 2 Business overview for a wider explanation, and compare the Level 2 Certificate if you need a larger option.

What should a teacher check first?

Start with the official unit structure and confirm the chosen optional unit fits the programme. Then check each unit’s assessment guidance before planning lessons or setting work. The Award shares some units with the larger Level 2 qualifications, but each size has its own structure.

For the official requirements, use Pearson’s Level 2 Business specification.