ABE Level 4 Diploma in Business Management (QCF)
Qualification specification
Qualification’s objective
Why you should consider taking this qualification
This qualification:
• Prepares learners to progress to a
qualification in the same subject area (in
particular the Level 5 Diploma in
Business Management) or in another
subject area (including Honours degrees)
• Prepares learners for employment or
supports their current role in the
workplace
• Gives opportunities for personal growth
and engagement in learning
This qualification contains a range of units which
are relevant to general management and to
business. The units are listed below and are all
available on the ABE website – please pay
particular attention to the learning outcomes,
which you will be assessed against.
Any other qualification which you must have
completed before taking the qualification
No, this is a stand-alone qualification. However,
it is in the interest of candidates that they have
attained Level 2 qualifications (GCSE standard) in
Mathematics and English Language, or can
demonstrate competence through obtaining an
alternative qualification of similar standard.
Any prior knowledge, skills or understanding
which you are required to have before taking the
qualification
Units which you must complete before the
qualification will be awarded and any optional
routes
None.
Candidates must pass these three mandatory
units:
Introduction to Business
Introduction to Quantitative Methods
Introduction to Business Communication
Candidates for the Business Management
pathway must pass this optional unit:
Introduction to Accounting
Candidates for the Financial Management
pathway must pass this optional unit:
Accounting for Financial Managers
Candidates for the Management of Information
Systems pathway must pass this optional unit:
Any other requirements which you must have
satisfied before you will be assessed or before
the qualification will be awarded
The knowledge, skills and understanding which
will be assessed as part of the qualification
The method of assessment and associated
requirements relating to it
The criteria against which your level of
attainment will be measured
Specimen assessment materials
Specified levels of attainment
Introduction to Management Information
Systems
None.
How to:
Use practical, theoretical or technical
understanding to address problems that are well
defined but complex and non-routine.
Analyse, interpret and evaluate relevant
information and ideas.
Be aware of the nature and approximate scope
of the area of study.
Have an informed awareness of different
perspectives or approaches within the area of
study or work.
The three-hour written external examinations
are held twice a year (usually the first week in
June and December). ABE manages the entire
examination process, from its external centres
around the world, to invigilation and marking.
Refer to the assessment criteria for each unit.
Past papers are available on the members’ area
of the ABE website.
Candidates will be marked out of 100 and will be
graded as follows:
A*
75%+
Higher Distinction
A
65% - 74%
Distinction
B
50% - 64%
Merit
C
40% - 49%
Pass
D
30% - 39%
Marginal Fail
E
15% - 29%
Fail
F
0% - 14%
Unclassified
Candidates achieving a pass grade (C or above)
will be awarded the appropriate QCF credits.