Business Support Level 3

This T Level is designed to give you the knowledge, practical skills and behaviours needed to work in business administration and business support roles. 

You will study a range of topics, including:

• Business Context - how organisations operate, their culture, values and stakeholders
• People - working effectively with colleagues, customers and other stakeholders
• Business Behaviours - professional communication, teamwork and adapting your communication to different situations
• Quality and Compliance - understanding legislation, policies, procedures, quality standards and compliance
• Project Management - supporting projects and understanding how projects are planned, monitored and delivered
• Change Management - understanding why organisations change and how change can be supported
• Communication - communicating professionally using different methods and with different audiences
• Digital and Business Skills - using digital tools and technology effectively within a business environment. 

In addition to the core content, you will then specialise in Business Support, developing skills in:

• Supporting the day-to-day running of an organisation
• Managing information and ensuring it reaches the right people
• Prioritising tasks and managing workloads
• Organising meetings, activities and business processes
• Using business tools and systems
• Solving problems and responding to business needs
• Supporting projects and business activities
• Identifying opportunities to improve business practices
• Making recommendations for improvements
• Communicating effectively with a range of stakeholders
• Developing professional behaviours and workplace skills.

The Business Support specialism is specifically designed to prepare you for the responsibilities of a business support role.

A key part of the T Level is your industry placement, for which you will complete a minimum of 315 hours (45 days) of workplace experience.

The T Level has two main assessed components, the Core Component and the Business Support Occupational Specialism.

The Core is assessed through:

External examinations

• Written exams covering the knowledge and understanding you have developed.

Employer-Set Project (ESP)

• A substantial project based on a realistic business/industry scenario.
• You will be expected to apply your knowledge and skills to solve problems and respond to a business brief.
• The project will require you to use relevant English, maths and digital skills. 

For the Business Support Occupational Specialism, you will complete a synoptic practical assignment.

This means you will bring together the knowledge and skills you have developed and apply them to realistic business support tasks.

The T Level can prepare you for employment, an apprenticeship or further study.

Possible career routes include:

• Business Administrator
• Administrative Assistant
• Office Administrator
• Executive Assistant
• Secretary
• Civil Service Administrator
• Court Administrative Assistant
• Medical Secretary
• School Secretary
• Office Manager
• Business Support Officer
• Project Support Officer
• Customer Service or Operations roles.

The skills developed can be transferred across many different sectors, including business, finance, legal services, education, healthcare, local government and the Civil Service.

You could also progress to a higher-level apprenticeship, including apprenticeships related to:

• Business Administration
• Team Leadership and Management
• Project Management
• Operations
• Customer Service
• Finance and Business Support.

The T Level can also provide progression to higher-level study, including higher apprenticeships, degree-level study and other Level 4+ qualifications.

T Levels are Level 3 qualifications and are equivalent in size and standard to three A Levels. They carry UCAS tariff points, supporting progression to higher education.