Level 4 Diploma in Entrepreneurship

Unusually for a Level 4 diploma, this one lists ten mandatory units rather than six, which means each is smaller and moves faster. Business Environment, Managing Business Operations and The Manager's Toolkit give you the general grounding; Business Planning and Goal Setting, Managing and Using Finance and Managing and Using Marketing are where the plan takes shape; and The Entrepreneurial Manager, Psychology of Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Creativity look at the person doing it. Personal Effectiveness sits underneath as the unit about how you work.

The programme works best if you bring a venture idea to the first session, real or hypothetical, and carry it through all ten units, and that is how LSPM has run it for the learners we have spoken to. By the end you have a business plan that has been costed, a marketing approach that has been tested against a customer, and an honest account of your own strengths as a founder. Some learners finish and start the business; a good number decide not to, which we count as a success of a different kind. The diploma is 120 credits at Level 4, and it sits within this site's business section rather than as a standalone route.

Qualifi sets the entry requirements for this qualification and LSPM, as the approved centre, applies them when it assesses your application. As published by the awarding body:

• demonstrated some ability and possess qualifications at Level 3, for example ‘A’ Levels or vocational awards;
• spent some time in an organisational role and shown they have capability and drive to develop
• seeking further professional development and to gain work related skills and know-how.

Source: the Qualifi specification. If you are not sure whether your qualification counts as equivalent, send us the details and we will put the question to LSPM's admissions team, who make the decision.

Qualifi's entry wording asks for Level 3 qualifications, time in an organisational role, or a wish for professional development. We add one question of our own before introducing anyone: do you have an idea you are willing to test? You do not need to have started a business.

Assessed through staged written work that builds into a single business plan and reflective portfolio. There are no examinations. Ask LSPM whether each stage receives feedback before it is marked.

Assignments are set and marked by LSPM's tutors, moderated within LSPM and sampled by Qualifi before LSPM claims certificates. Draft feedback and resubmission arrangements are LSPM's own practice; confirm them at enrolment. How assessment works in full.

Level 5 Diploma in Business Management or a related Qualifi Level 5 route, since there is no direct Level 5 in Entrepreneurship in LSPM's current range.

Second-year entry to a business, enterprise or management degree, if the university you apply to recognises the diploma.

Launching or growing your own venture, or moving into a small business where the founder needs a second pair of hands who thinks the same way.