Free Business Course Online - Business Management Short Course

Build an introductory understanding of business management with this free online course from Oxford Home Study Centre. Designed for beginners, the Level 1 programme explores four connected areas of business: the business environment, human resource management, performance management and marketing.

The course is delivered online and involves approximately 20 hours of study. Enrolment is open throughout the year and there are no formal entry requirements, making it a practical starting point for anyone who wants to explore business management before considering a more advanced programme.

If you would like to compare this short course with more extensive programmes, explore the full range of online business studies courses available from OHSC.

What Does This Free Business Course Cover?

The course introduces several functions that contribute to the operation and management of an organisation. It begins with the business environment, providing context for understanding how organisations operate. The syllabus then introduces human resource management, performance management and marketing.

Studying these topics together can help learners see how people, performance and marketing decisions connect with the wider business environment. The programme is introductory in scope and is intended to build foundation-level knowledge rather than confer professional status.

Who Is This Course Suitable For?

This introductory course may suit:

Beginners exploring business and management for the first time
Employees seeking a broader understanding of common business functions
Aspiring supervisors or managers building foundation-level knowledge
Small business owners interested in core management concepts
Learners considering further study in business, HR or marketing

To compare this programme with other introductory options, visit OHSC's free business management course collection.

What Can You Learn?

By completing the course, learners can develop introductory awareness of:

The business environment and its place in business studies
The basic purpose of human resource management
The role of performance management as a business function
Introductory marketing concepts and their organisational relevance
How different business functions connect within an organisation

Study Business Management Online

Online delivery allows learners to study remotely and organise the course around existing commitments. The 20-hour duration makes this a focused introduction, while ongoing enrolment means there is no need to wait for a fixed academic term.

Take Your First Step in Business Studies

This Level 1 course offers a concise introduction to the business environment, HR management, performance management and marketing. Review the syllabus and course information above, then enrol when you are ready to begin.

By the end of this course the learner will be able to:

Apply the best methods for creating, leading and managing their own business.

Course access, study materials and required assessments are provided free of charge. Certification is optional and is available for a separate fee after successful course completion. Learners can choose between:

A CPD Accredited Certificate, issued by the CPD Standards Office
A QLS Endorsed Certificate, issued by the Quality Licence Scheme

The two certificate routes have separate prices. QLS certificate fees vary by course level and certificate format, while the CPD Standards Office certificate has its own fee. Delivery choices may also affect the total cost. Review the current certificate prices and ordering information before making a purchase.

Both certificates record course completion, but neither should be presented as an Ofqual-regulated qualification, professional licence or guarantee of employment or promotion. You can also compare other subjects available for free study.

COURSE CONTENT

Topics Covered in the Course

The course covers the following four topics:

Topic 1: The Business Environment

Explore the setting in which organisations operate and develop an introductory appreciation of the factors that shape business activity.

Topic 2: What Is HR Management?

Consider the purpose of human resource management and its role in supporting people within an organisation.

Topic 3: Introduction to Performance Management

Examine the basic purpose of performance management and why organisations monitor, support and review performance.

Topic 4: Introduction to Marketing

Develop a foundation-level understanding of marketing and its contribution to organisational activity.

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