LSBUK's programme leads to the ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management, qualification number 610/1764/4. It is an Ofqual-regulated qualification at RQF Level 3. It can support an application for further study, but each university decides whether it accepts the exact award, the grades it requires and any additional conditions. Check your intended degree's requirements before enrolling.
This guide covers what the diploma is, how to check fees and intakes, how to get in, what you study and where it can lead. If you want a broader overview first, see our guide to Level 3 business diplomas in the UK.
What the qualification is
The diploma is a practical, assignment-based alternative to A Levels or an Access to Higher Education course, carrying 120 credits at Level 3. ATHE describes it as equivalent to an A Level or an Access to HE qualification, and it carries UCAS Tariff points: 32 for a Pass, 64 for a Merit and 96 for a Distinction. It gives you a grounding in how businesses work and prepares you for further study at Level 4 or an application to a degree that accepts it.
Formats, intakes and fees
LSBUK offers live online teaching and campus study in London. View the course page for the current fee table, programme duration and available delivery routes. Ask admissions to confirm your intake, class timetable, what the fee includes and any payment options before you apply.
Entry requirements
Applicants need GCSEs in English and maths (or equivalent), or successful completion of LSBUK's International Foundation Diploma.
If English is not your first language, ask admissions which evidence is accepted for your route. ATHE currently recommends IELTS 5.5, CEFR B2 or an approved equivalent for this award. International qualifications and alternative entry evidence are reviewed individually against the programme's approved admissions requirements.
Source: ATHE's current qualification information.
What you study
The curriculum follows the assessed units for the specific ATHE award, alongside any additional LSBUK teaching activities. Review the current programme unit list on the course page and ask admissions to confirm the optional units for your intake.
How you are assessed
Assessment is continuous, through coursework, projects and presentations, rather than a single high-pressure final exam. Ongoing assignments and feedback are used throughout to track progress, and the qualification is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction.
Exact-award checklist
Before you rely on any Level 3 business diploma, check these facts for the specific award. Here is how they apply to LSBUK's programme.
| Check | Where to find it | LSBUK's programme |
|---|---|---|
| Exact title | Course page and certificate | ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management |
| Qualification number | Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications | 610/1764/4 |
| Awarding organisation | Ofqual register | ATHE |
| Level | Ofqual register | RQF Level 3 |
| Grading | Awarding body specification | Pass, Merit or Distinction |
| UCAS Tariff points | UCAS tariff tables | 32 (Pass), 64 (Merit), 96 (Distinction) |
| Units | Awarding body specification and course page | Seven mandatory units plus optional units confirmed for your intake |
| Acceptance for your next course | The receiving university, in writing | Ask the university for the exact degree you want |
What an assessment looks like
The diploma is assessed by assignment, with no final exam. A typical task asks you to apply one unit to a realistic business question. For example, in a market-research task you might set a focused question (do weekday and weekend customers of a small bakery value different things?), survey a small sample, present the results, explain what they show and explain the limits of a small sample.
The worked version of that task, an illustrative self-review rubric and a progression record are in the business assignment and progression checklist. It is practice material, not an ATHE assessment or marking scheme. For the whole decision, from entry to progression, see the Level 3 business subject guide or the ATHE Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management at LSBUK.
Where it leads
Before relying on university progression, contact the admissions team for the exact degree you want. Give them the award title, qualification number, transcript and expected grades. Ask for confirmation of acceptance, English requirements and any other conditions. A Level 3 award does not by itself guarantee a university place or advanced entry.
Within LSBUK, the diploma leads on to the Level 4 Extended Diploma in Business and Management. Some learners use it to apply for entry-level business roles such as administrative assistant, sales executive, customer service representative, marketing assistant or office coordinator; employers set their own requirements.
Who it is for
This route suits students whose grades fall below direct university entry, international students aligning their qualifications to UK standards, students changing academic direction, and mature or gap-year learners returning to study. If you are weighing it against the traditional academic route, our comparison of the Level 3 Diploma versus A Levels breaks down the differences.
Related reading
In summary
The Level 3 Diploma in Business and Management is a regulated, practical route into further business study, available online or on campus in London. Explore the programme or get in touch to check fees, intakes and how to apply.