LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT
SwissUK™ Level 3 Extended Diploma
LEVEL 3 EXTENDED DIPLOMA IN BUSINESS AND MANAGEMENT (144 UCAS TARIFF)
Did you know there is a qualification that can lead you into top UK universities while also allowing you to start your career right away? The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Management — awarded by ATHE and delivered by SIMI Swiss — is regulated by Ofqual (UK Government) and nationally recognised across England.
With 180 credits and up to 144 UCAS points (equivalent to 3 A Levels), this qualification enables entry to over 95% of UK universities and is also valued by employers for junior business roles.
This makes the Level 3 Extended Diploma a smart choice for learners seeking a fast, internationally recognised route to higher education and early career success.
Swiss Made. UK Government Recognised.
Qualifications
- ATHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Management
Promotion
Delivery
Awarding
- ATHE (Ofqual UK.Gov awarding body)
UK ENIC Band
The Level 3 Extended Diploma is aligned with RQF Level 3 and assessed by UK ENIC as comparable to Band 6 in the UK qualification framework.
In United Kingdom
The ATHE Level 3 Extended Diploma is regulated by Ofqual (UK Government) and recognised as equivalent to A Levels, T Levels, and the Pre-U Diploma.
In Switzerland
Learners completing the Level 3 Extended Diploma at SIMI Swiss can work immediately, as business roles are non-regulated occupations in Switzerland.
National Occupational Standards
The Level 3 Extended Diploma prepares learners for business administrator roles, earning an average salary of £47,889 per year in the UK.
Equivalent to 3 A Levels
With up to 144 UCAS points (equivalent to 3 A Levels), learners can progress to over 95% of universities in the UK and Europe, including leading institutions.
European Recognition
As an RQF Level 3 qualification comparable to EQF Level 4, it is recognised across Europe for further study and entry-level business employment.
Programme Details
The Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Management program includes 13 specialised modules.
Year 1 Modules
- Business Environment (10 UK Credits)
- How Businesses and Organisations Work (10 UK Credits)
- Business Communication (10 UK Credits)
- Working in Teams (10 UK Credits)
- Market Research (20 UK Credits)
- Introduction to Financial Controls in Business (15 UK Credits)
Year 2 Modules
- Leading and Managing People (15 UK Credits)
- Principles of Marketing and Sales (15 UK Credits)
- Human Resources (15 UK Credits)
- Organisational Strategy (15 UK Credits)
- Online Marketing (15 UK Credits)
- International Business (15 UK Credits)
- Project Management (15 UK Credits)
Upon graduation, students will receive:
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Management from ATHE (UK government-recognized, equivalent to a Diploma of Higher Education in the UK ENIC/NARIC Band 6).
- Applicants must be at least 16 years old and must have completed full secondary education.
- English proficiency must be at least at CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level B2 or IELTS 5.5.
The programme is delivered through a real-time online Live Class model, where learners study and interact directly with SIMI Swiss lecturers via a live training platform.
It follows the SIMI Swiss Direct™ model — meaning learners study directly with SIMI Swiss, without any partnerships, franchising, or intermediaries. This ensures full access to the original programme content, without modification, while eliminating third-party risks and issues related to unauthorised local training.
Accredited & Recognized
- Strong recognition: UK National Qualification
- Better employability in the United Kingdom in the field of Business Management
- Global recognition through the compatibility between RQF/EQF and other qualification frameworks*. See more HERE
- UK Business Administrator Competency Standard: easily demonstrates competencies for real-world management roles with an average salary of £47,889/year. See more HERE
- Expanded opportunities to progress to Undergraduate programs internationally*
(*) Recognition, progression, and further study — in addition to the general recognition of Switzerland and the UK — also depend on the specific regulations of the receiving institution or competent authority. Learners should verify acceptance in advance according to international practice.
About the Swiss Information and Management Institute (SIMI Swiss)
SIMI Swiss is a SwissUK™ Higher Education Institute that unites the excellence of Swiss Private Higher Education with the nationally recognised qualification framework of the United Kingdom Government, regulated by Ofqual (UK.Gov). SIMI Swiss holds full international accreditation and awards dual qualifications, combining a Swiss Private Degree with a nationally recognised qualification from the United Kingdom, upholding globally recognised academic standards.
References:
About the Ofqual UK.Gov Awarding Body ATHE:
- Recognized as an organization by the educational authority of the United Kingdom, Ofqual (UK.Gov). Recognition Number: RN5344. Refer to the recognition information CLICK HERE
- ATHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Management is accredited with the Ofqual UK.Gov code 610/1765/6. Refer to the accreditation information CLICK HERE
The Level 3 Extended programme from SwissUK™ integrates the UK Government-regulated national competency framework for the Business Administrator role (see more HERE). This integration not only enables learners to obtain a UK Government-recognised Level 3 national qualification but also offers the following advantages:
- Learn the competencies employers need: Beyond theory, students develop full KSBs (Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours) aligned with the UK Government occupational standard.
- Easier competency verification for employment: Each Learning Outcome (LO) is mapped to professional criteria, enabling employers to assess and trust graduates’ abilities from the recruitment stage.
- Faster progression into management roles: Competencies are standardised at undergraduate managerial level, making graduates job-ready for frontline leadership and supervisory positions.
- Globally competitive earnings: Business Administrator roles have an average salary of £47,889 per year in the United Kingdom.
- Internationally recognised employability profile: Competency standards are applied in multinational organisations, supporting global career mobility.
- Reduced unemployment and career-misalignment risks: Learners can enter employment early through the staged recognition and awarding of national qualifications.
- A strong advantage over traditional BBA programmes: While many graduates struggle to define their professional capabilities, SwissUK™ students graduate with a clear, internationally validated competency profile — and can fully evidence it.
University Progression Routes
In the UK, university admissions often use the UCAS Tariff Points system to evaluate a learner’s academic achievements. The higher the points, the wider the choice of universities and degree programmes available.
The ATHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Business and Management is one of the most advantageous qualifications at this level, offering up to 144 UCAS Tariff Points — a score equivalent to achieving strong grades across three A Levels. With this tariff, learners can progress to over 95% of leading universities in the United Kingdom, opening pathways to high-quality Bachelor’s programmes in Business and related fields.
This makes the ATHE Level 3 Extended Diploma an excellent choice for learners seeking a flexible, globally recognised route to top-tier higher education in the UK.
Across Europe, the qualification benefits from the official comparability between RQF Level 3 and EQF Level 4, which supports recognition for admission into Bachelor’s programmes within European Higher Education institutions. This formal level-matching ensures strong mobility for learners pursuing further studies in the EU and EEA regions, particularly in business-related disciplines.
In the United States and Canada, the Level 3 Extended Diploma is generally considered comparable to an enhanced high school qualification, allowing access to Bachelor’s degree programmes, International Foundation courses, or Pathway routes. While recognition may vary depending on institutional policies, UK Government-regulated qualifications carry a strong reputation and are widely accepted in North American higher education systems.
In Australia and New Zealand, UK-regulated qualifications are often referenced against AQF Level 4 equivalency, supporting entry into Diploma, Advanced Diploma, and Bachelor Year 1 programmes. With global alignment frameworks in place, learners completing this qualification can pursue further education in recognised higher education institutions across these regions.
In Asia, particularly in Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, British education systems and qualifications are widely recognised. Learners holding the Level 3 Extended Diploma can progress to UK-affiliated Bachelor’s degree programmes delivered locally or internationally. The qualification is also suitable for junior business employment in multinational organisations across the region.
In Africa, where British educational pathways have long been established, the qualification is well recognised for entry into Bachelor’s programmes in business and related disciplines. It is also understood and accepted by employers hiring for entry-level roles in the commercial and service sectors.
Read more HERE.