Business & Management

The huge range of opportunities within business & management span across all sectors, with almost every organisation in the world requiring individuals with skills in areas such as human resources, marketing, law and team management.

Business and management roles are continuing to grow, with an estimated 1.9 million new managers needed in the UK by 2024. This creates a variety of activities for ambitious and skilled individuals. There is currently huge growth in the business services sector both nationally and in Scotland, with West Lothian growing at a higher rate than the Scottish average.

We offer a range of business & management courses from Level 5 up to Level 9, (BA Degree) to prepare you for employment within this industry.

Our unique degree offering with Edinburgh Napier University Business School means you can complete your full degree at West Lothian College and progress directly to Edinburgh Napier if you want to complete your Honours or Masters degree.

Students benefit from our excellent links with local employers and related organisations, by hearing from industry speakers with a wealth of knowledge of the sector and provide valuable placement opportunities.

Our previous students have benefited by hearing from industry professionals with a wealth of knowledge of the sector and have opportunities to take part in sessions with Bridge 2 Business, Kidzeco, Converge Challenge, Genius Foods and the Citizens Advice Bureau.

We know that not all learning takes place within a classroom or college setting. We take our students out to various different organisations and settings, with previous students visiting the Sheriff Court, Edinburgh Napier University, Diageo, IKEA, Thorntons and Innoflate. Some of our previous students have also had the opportunity to travel abroad, with students getting the opportunity to apply for a one year scholarship at Clark College in Washington State, USA.

Many of our business & management students also complete a placement to allow them to build the skills and experience needed to excel in their future career. Previous students have had the opportunity for work placements within Barclays, Children’s Hearings Scotland Training Unit, Quality Scotland and Neil’s Hugs.

Business student Leanne Armit describes her college experience in this video

See a testimonial from Business student Cameron McIntosh here.

Careers in Business & Management

A career in business & management is varied and exciting, with a huge range of opportunities and specialisms open to you spanning areas such as team management, marketing, human resources, consumer behaviour and business law.

Having the skills to be a strategic problem solver enables you to adapt to any challenges you may face to be successful in a business & management role.

Within the business sector positions salaries vary, with the average salary being up to £56,000 per year.

Successful completion of your course qualifies you to work in positions including;

administrative assistant
management consultant
general manager
human resources officer
marketing manager
logistics & supply chain manager
marketing officer.

Our previous students have gone into employment with;

West Lothian Council
HMRC
National Grid and Oxford Instruments

With others progressing onto further study at Edinburgh Napier University and Heriot-Watt University.

West Lothian College is a great place to study with helpful lecturers and useful resources on hand. I haven’t looked back since I started studying at the college three years ago!

Cameron McIntosh, BA Business