Course Overview
Business Start-Up will show you how to build a strong foundation for your business, and how to avoid the common pitfalls.
Begin your journey to becoming a successful entrepreneur, with our flexible, practical Business Start-up online course which will help you to plan, establish and grow your own business.
Are you looking for a Business Start-up course that offers practical advice and develops skills vital to launching a thriving business? Or perhaps you’re already trading but want to grow the business of your dreams?
Business Start-up is full of practical tips on how to plan, establish and grow your business.
- Part 1 – planning to start your own business
explores if self-employment is right for you and provides the tools you need to consider your business idea in detail to develop a full business plan. - Part 2 – succeeding with your own business
covers topics vital to early success, including legal and financial issues, marketing and sales, customer service and quality. Both courses model good and bad practice using a series of engaging case studies.
For aspiring entrepreneurs, our Business Start-up course is the perfect way to turn ideas into reality, by building a solid business foundation.
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Online learning format
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1:1 tutor support
Business Start-up at a glance
Here is what’s included in our course
learn@nec is our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
Support from a personal tutor for up to six months from your date of enrolment if you complete the full course (Course 1 – three months; Course 2 – three months)
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 30 study hours, plus time for completing progress checks
- No formal qualifications
- An ability to read and write in English
- Five progress checks in Course 1 – Planning to start your own business
- Four progress checks in Course 2 – Succeeding with your own business
- If the full course is completed you will do all nine progress checks
DVD of video clips of conversations with four different small business owners
All the course materials you need to complete the course. No additional set texts are required.
NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
learn@nec is our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
All the course materials you need to complete the course. No additional set texts are required.
- Five progress checks in Course 1 – Planning to start your own business
- Four progress checks in Course 2 – Succeeding with your own business
- If the full course is completed you will do all nine progress checks
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 30 study hours, plus time for completing progress checks
- No formal qualifications
- An ability to read and write in English
Support from a personal tutor for up to six months from your date of enrolment if you complete the full course (Course 1 – three months; Course 2 – three months)
NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
DVD of video clips of conversations with four different small business owners
learn@nec is our virtual learning environment, the gateway to your course and the NEC community. All the resources you need to study are here and you have the flexibility to access them wherever you want, whenever you want
Support from a personal tutor for up to six months from your date of enrolment if you complete the full course (Course 1 – three months; Course 2 – three months)
- Complete at your own pace
- Approx. 30 study hours, plus time for completing progress checks
- No formal qualifications
- An ability to read and write in English
- Five progress checks in Course 1 – Planning to start your own business
- Four progress checks in Course 2 – Succeeding with your own business
- If the full course is completed you will do all nine progress checks
DVD of video clips of conversations with four different small business owners
All the course materials you need to complete the course. No additional set texts are required.
NEC’s guide to study skills: How to Succeed as an Independent Learner
Why study Business Start-up?
If you’ve started your own business, or are about to take the leap, our Business Start-up online course offers 24/7 access to flexible online resources full of informative, practical advice, plus up to 6 months support from a personal tutor.
Through two distinct, yet complementary courses, Business Start-up covers insightful topics for every entrepreneur. On completion, you’ll be well equipped with the knowledge you need to make your business thrive.
Our Business Start-up course is ideal if you:
- Have a business idea, but want to learn how to turn it into reality.
- Want to explore if self-employment is right for you.
- Would like to develop a thorough business plan.
- Have launched your business and want to be aware of common pitfalls and how to build a strong foundation.
- Enjoy learning about practical real-life examples.
- Need a flexible approach to study, to establish your fledgling business alongside other commitments.
Future opportunities
Your next steps
- Setting up your own business.
- Building a strong business model.
- Growing your business.
- Studying Business A level or higher level qualifications.
What you’ll learn…
Business Start-up taster
This free PDF taster provides an example of a topic from the course.
Download your free taster today, have a look around and contact us if you have any questions about the Business Start-up course.
Flexible payments and financial help
- As an education charity dedicated to helping independent learners achieve life-changing qualifications we want to keep fees affordable. All of our course fees are clear and transparent to help you plan for any additional costs.
- NEC’s fees offer some of the best value on the market, with multi-buy options, special offers, personal discounts and affordable finance options.
- Used responsibly, finance is a great way to spread the cost of your course. We’ve teamed up with Omni, one of the UK’s leading finance specialists.
- Depending on your own circumstances, there are a number of possibilities for getting help to fund your course.
Visit our Fee information page or
Study now, pay your way
It’s your choice: you can pay in full at the point of enrolment, or you can spread the cost over monthly instalments with our finance offer. We offer a choice of six or 12 month repayment plans, with 0% APR as standard.
To pay in instalments you will need to enrol by telephone.
The National Extension College (NEC) work with finance company OMNI. For more information on our relationship with OMNI and repayment plans see our Fee Information page.
| Course fee | £524 |
| Deposit | £52.40 |
| Amount of credit | £471.60 |
| Monthly payment | £39.30 |
| Duration | 12 months |
| Total repayment | £524 |
| Cost of credit | £0.00 |
| Rate of interest | 0% APR representative |
Enjoy 1-2-1 support from your course tutor
You’ll have access to 1:1 support from your tutor. All NEC tutors are subject experts, with experience in supporting online learners.
MORE ABOUT OUR TUTORS“I am passionate about business, both from an academic and practical point of view. I have been since I was the MD of a Young Enterprise company when I was 17. Since then I have had many jobs in industry, have helped many charities and, more recently, taught the subject. I have been in the classroom for over ten years, but also continue to support many small and new businesses to prosper. I believe that detailed feedback and encouragement to improve in small steps is the way to achieve educational potential. My qualifications include a BSc in Business Studies, MA in Organisational Behaviour, PCE (Post Graduate Certificate in Education) and the graduate diplomas from several professional bodies including the Institute of Marketing.”
Talk to one of our course advisors
Unsure whether online self-study is right for you?
Our friendly Course Advice Team are here to help answer your questions and take you through your options.
- Book a call and someone will get back to you at a convenient time.
- Or contact us today by phone or email.
We’re waiting to help you get ahead and achieve your goals, your way.
Frequently asked questions
Your common questions and concerns answered. Read more FAQs.
NEC offers flexible, online courses that you can study anytime, anywhere. When you enrol, you’ll receive a welcome email with login details for learn@nec, our virtual learning platform.
Our expertly designed courses include engaging materials, interactive learning activities, and selected online resources — all created by experienced teachers, examiners, and learning designers.
Our courses are designed to let you study at your own pace — all within a clearly defined enrolment period to help keep you on track. Many courses let you study your way, with flexible assignment deadlines to suit your schedule.
Yes. You can enrol any time and begin studying when it suits you.
If you’re planning to apply to university, and doing this course as part of your preparation, please be aware of application deadlines.
Yes — NEC is ideal for international students.
Our team is happy to help you explore your options.
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