The ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Startups is a comprehensive three-year programme designed to equip learners with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and strategic mindset required to launch, manage, and grow successful businesses. Covering 360 credits, this diploma offers a structured pathway for learners to explore all aspects of entrepreneurship, from idea generation and business planning to financing, operations, and innovation.

Learners will gain a deep understanding of business models, market research, risk management, and digital entrepreneurship, preparing them to navigate today’s dynamic business environment with confidence. The programme emphasises practical learning, allowing learners to apply theoretical insights through case studies, projects, and real-world business simulations.

This course is particularly valuable for individuals seeking to establish their own ventures, lead startup teams, or innovate within existing organisations. With a strong focus on critical thinking, leadership, and strategic decision-making, learners will develop the professional competence needed to identify opportunities, overcome challenges, and drive sustainable growth.

Course Overview

This qualification, the ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Startups, consists of 36 mandatory units.

Year 1 – Foundation in Entrepreneurship & Startups

  1. Introduction to Entrepreneurship
  2. Business Environment and Market Analysis
  3. Principles of Management and Leadership
  4. Fundamentals of Finance for Startups
  5. Marketing and Brand Development
  6. Business Communication and Negotiation Skills
  7. Organisational Behaviour and Culture
  8. Introduction to Business Law and Ethics
  9. Digital Tools and Technology in Business
  10. Creative Thinking and Innovation
  11. Research Methods for Business
  12. Professional Ethics and Corporate Responsibility Accounting
  13. Fundamentals of Taxation

Year 2 – Intermediate Entrepreneurship & Startups

  1. Strategic Business Planning
  2. Financial Management and Investment Analysis
  3. Operations and Supply Chain Management
  4. Human Resource Management in Startups
  5. Advanced Marketing and Sales Strategies
  6. Risk Management and Legal Compliance
  7. Leadership and Team Development
  8. Product Development and Innovation Management
  9. Business Analytics and Decision-Making
  10. Entrepreneurship in International Markets
  11. Project Management for Startups
  12. Professional Development and Reflective Practice

Year 3 – Advanced Entrepreneurship & Startups

  1. Venture Creation and Business Model Design
  2. Fundraising and Venture Capital Strategies
  3. Strategic Growth and Scaling Techniques
  4. Innovation and Technology Management
  5. Global Entrepreneurship and Trade
  6. Advanced Leadership and Organisational Change
  7. Corporate Governance and Compliance in Startups
  8. Strategic Marketing and Customer Experience
  9. Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship
  10. Advanced Financial Planning and Control
  11. Research and Evidence-Based Business Practice
  12. Capstone Project in Entrepreneurship & Startups

Learning Outcomes for the ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Startups:

Year 1 – Foundation in Entrepreneurship & Startups

Introduction to Entrepreneurship

  • Learners will understand the fundamental concepts of entrepreneurship.
  • Identify characteristics and skills of successful entrepreneurs.
  • Explore types of business ventures and startup ecosystems.
  • Analyse opportunities for innovation and value creation.

Business Environment and Market Analysis

  • Learners will examine macro and micro business environments.
  • Conduct market research to identify trends and customer needs.
  • Analyse competitors and market positioning strategies.
  • Evaluate external factors impacting business success.

Principles of Management and Leadership

  • Learners will develop foundational management skills.
  • Understand leadership styles and organisational structures.
  • Apply planning, organising, and decision-making techniques.
  • Analyse team dynamics and effective leadership practices.

Fundamentals of Finance for Startups

  • Learners will understand basic financial concepts and statements.
  • Develop budgeting and cash flow management skills.
  • Evaluate funding options and capital requirements.
  • Analyse financial performance for informed business decisions.

Marketing and Brand Development

  • Learners will explore marketing principles and strategies.
  • Develop skills for creating brand identity and value propositions.
  • Apply segmentation, targeting, and positioning techniques.
  • Evaluate marketing campaigns for effectiveness and ROI.

Business Communication and Negotiation Skills

  • Learners will enhance verbal, written, and digital communication.
  • Develop negotiation and persuasion skills.
  • Learn professional presentation techniques.
  • Apply communication strategies in business contexts.

Organisational Behaviour and Culture

  • Learners will analyse human behaviour in organisational settings.
  • Understand culture, motivation, and employee engagement.
  • Examine team dynamics and conflict resolution strategies.
  • Apply organisational behaviour concepts to improve performance.

Introduction to Business Law and Ethics

  • Learners will understand legal frameworks affecting businesses.
  • Explore ethical decision-making and corporate social responsibility.
  • Identify legal obligations and compliance requirements.
  • Analyse real-world business scenarios for ethical considerations.

Digital Tools and Technology in Business

  • Learners will utilise technology for business operations and communication.
  • Explore digital platforms for marketing, sales, and management.
  • Evaluate technology trends for business advantage.
  • Implement digital solutions to enhance productivity.

Creative Thinking and Innovation

  • Learners will develop problem-solving and creative thinking skills.
  • Explore methods for generating innovative business ideas.
  • Apply creativity to product and service development.
  • Assess feasibility and impact of innovative solutions.

Research Methods for Business

  • Learners will develop skills in research design and methodology.
  • Collect, analyse, and interpret business data effectively.
  • Apply research findings to support decision-making.
  • Develop critical thinking for evaluating business evidence.

Professional Ethics and Corporate Responsibility

  • Learners will understand ethical standards in entrepreneurship.
  • Analyse corporate social responsibility practices.
  • Apply ethical frameworks to business decision-making.
  • Promote sustainability and responsible business conduct.

Year 2 – Intermediate Entrepreneurship & Startups

Strategic Business Planning

  • Develop detailed business plans.
  • Analyse market opportunities and trends.
  • Define strategic goals and KPIs.
  • Apply planning tools for business success.

Financial Management and Investment Analysis

  • Perform advanced financial analysis.
  • Evaluate investment options and risk.
  • Develop strategies for profitability.
  • Apply budgeting and forecasting techniques.

Operations and Supply Chain Management

  • Manage operational workflows efficiently.
  • Understand supply chain processes.
  • Optimise resource allocation and inventory.
  • Implement lean and agile operations practices.

Human Resource Management in Startups

  • Manage recruitment and employee engagement.
  • Develop performance appraisal and development plans.
  • Promote diversity and workplace culture.
  • Apply HR practices to support startup growth.

Advanced Marketing and Sales Strategies

  • Design integrated marketing campaigns.
  • Develop advanced sales techniques.
  • Analyse consumer behaviour for targeted marketing.
  • Measure marketing performance and ROI.

Risk Management and Legal Compliance

  • Identify business risks and mitigation strategies.
  • Ensure adherence to regulations and legal requirements.
  • Develop operational and financial risk policies.
  • Apply risk frameworks in real-world scenarios.

Leadership and Team Development

  • Enhance leadership competencies.
  • Build high-performing teams.
  • Apply coaching, mentoring, and conflict resolution.
  • Evaluate team performance for improvement.

Product Development and Innovation Management

  • Manage product lifecycle from idea to launch.
  • Implement innovation strategies for competitiveness.
  • Evaluate market needs for product development.
  • Apply project management techniques to product launches.

Business Analytics and Decision-Making

  • Analyse data to support strategic decisions.
  • Use analytical tools to interpret trends.
  • Support data-driven decision-making.
  • Apply insights to improve business outcomes.

Entrepreneurship in International Markets

  • Explore global business opportunities.
  • Analyse international trade and market entry.
  • Understand cross-cultural business practices.
  • Develop strategies for international expansion.

Project Management for Startups

  • Plan, execute, and monitor projects effectively.
  • Apply project management tools and methods.
  • Manage budgets, resources, and timelines.
  • Evaluate project outcomes and deliverables.

Professional Development and Reflective Practice

  • Apply reflective practice to career and business decisions.
  • Enhance personal and professional growth.
  • Reflect on skills and business experiences.
  • Identify areas for continuous improvement.

Year 3 – Advanced Entrepreneurship & Startups

Venture Creation and Business Model Design

  • Design scalable business models.
  • Analyse market viability and revenue streams.
  • Develop value propositions and positioning strategies.
  • Apply business model innovation tools.

Fundraising and Venture Capital Strategies

  • Explore funding sources and investor relations.
  • Prepare pitch decks and investment proposals.
  • Evaluate financing options for startups.
  • Manage investor expectations effectively.

Strategic Growth and Scaling Techniques

  • Implement strategies for business expansion.
  • Analyse operational scalability.
  • Manage resources for growth.
  • Apply performance metrics to monitor scaling.

Innovation and Technology Management

  • Integrate technology into operations.
  • Explore emerging digital tools.
  • Develop innovative solutions.
  • Apply technology strategies to improve efficiency.

Global Entrepreneurship and Trade

  • Understand international trade regulations.
  • Analyse global market trends and opportunities.
  • Develop cross-border business strategies.
  • Apply knowledge for international business growth.

Advanced Leadership and Organisational Change

  • Lead organisational change initiatives.
  • Influence culture and transformation.
  • Apply transformational leadership techniques.
  • Evaluate leadership impact on business outcomes.

Corporate Governance and Compliance in Startups

  • Implement governance frameworks.
  • Ensure regulatory and ethical compliance.
  • Develop internal policies for transparency.
  • Analyse case studies for governance best practices.

Strategic Marketing and Customer Experience

  • Design customer-centric marketing strategies.
  • Enhance brand loyalty and satisfaction.
  • Monitor marketing effectiveness with analytics.
  • Implement integrated campaigns across channels.

Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship

  • Develop sustainable business practices.
  • Explore social responsibility initiatives.
  • Analyse impact of entrepreneurship on communities.
  • Apply sustainability principles in strategy.

Advanced Financial Planning and Control

  • Manage complex financial operations.
  • Develop budgeting and forecasting strategies.
  • Analyse financial risks and mitigation plans.
  • Apply tools for financial sustainability.

Research and Evidence-Based Business Practice

  • Conduct applied business research.
  • Analyse data for strategic decisions.
  • Evaluate evidence to support innovation.
  • Present findings professionally to stakeholders.

Capstone Project in Entrepreneurship & Startups

  • Demonstrate mastery in entrepreneurship and venture management.
  • Integrate knowledge from all study units.
  • Design and implement a real-world business project.
  • Apply critical thinking, research, and strategic skills.

Course Benefits of ICTQual AB Level 6 International Diploma in Entrepreneurship & Startups

Entrepreneurial Mindset Development

  • Equips learners with the knowledge and confidence to generate innovative business ideas and transform them into successful ventures.
  • Cultivates resilience, adaptability, and problem-solving skills essential for entrepreneurial success.

Practical Business Skills

  • Provides hands-on learning in business planning, market research, financial management, and startup operations.
  • Offers insights into digital tools, funding strategies, and lean startup methodologies for real-world application.

Innovation & Creativity

  • Encourages innovative thinking and opportunity recognition in competitive markets.
  • Strengthens the ability to create sustainable and scalable business models.

Networking Opportunities

  • Connects learners with mentors, entrepreneurs, and industry experts, expanding professional networks and collaboration prospects.
  • Builds confidence in pitching ideas and attracting investors.

Career Flexibility

  • Prepares learners not only to launch their own ventures but also to thrive in roles within startups, SMEs, and innovation-driven corporations.
  • Equips them with transferable skills valuable in leadership, project management, and strategic development.

Global Relevance

  • Aligned with international entrepreneurial practices and startup ecosystems, ensuring relevance across global markets.
  • Encourages a forward-looking approach that integrates sustainability, digital innovation, and global business trends.

After completing this course, learners can progress in the following ways:

  1. Academic Progression
    • Eligible learners can advance to Level 7 Postgraduate Diplomas in Entrepreneurship, Business Innovation, or Strategic Management.
    • Provides direct entry routes into Master’s degrees (MBA, MSc in Entrepreneurship, MSc in Innovation & Strategy, MSc in Business Management) at international universities.
  2. Professional Development
    • Acts as a foundation for entrepreneurial accelerators, incubator programs, and startup competitions.
    • Supports learners in developing portfolios to attract venture capital, angel investment, or crowdfunding opportunities.
  3. Career Pathways
    Graduates may progress into roles such as:
    • Founder / Co-Founder of Startups
    • Business Development Manager
    • Innovation Consultant
    • Venture Capital or Startup Investment Analyst
    • Project Manager in Entrepreneurship Programs
    • SME Growth & Strategy Specialist
  4. Global Opportunities
    • Opens opportunities in global startup ecosystems, innovation hubs, and entrepreneurial ventures.
    • Supports careers in emerging fields such as tech startups, green entrepreneurship, social enterprises, and digital innovation platforms.

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