• August
  • 1 year
  • Administration and IT
  • HNC (SCQF Level 7)

PDA OFFICE ADMINISTRATION

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Intro to the course:

This course delivers the essential skills and knowledge for a range of administrative roles. This makes it suitable CPD for those in administrative roles or for anyone seeking to enter this area. Content includes office systems and procedures, legislation, office technologies, communication, planning and interpersonal skills.

Qualification
HNC (SCQF Level 7)

Study mode
Part-Time and Day Release

Start date
28/08/2023

Who is the course for?

The PDA in Office Administration at SCQF level 7 is suitable for a wide range of candidates including: 

  • candidates employed within an administration role who wish to enhance their career prospects 
  • candidates in employment seeking a vehicle for CPD 
  • adult returners to education 
  • candidates undertaking the HNC Administration and Information Technology

What will I study?

There are four mandatory units:

  • office administration
  • digital technology for administrators
  • business communication
  • personal development planning

Next step course options

There are progression opportunities to the HNC Administration and Digital Technologies and to the HNC Business.

How will I be assessed?

Ongoing assessment through a range of practical activities, candidate folios, self-evaluation, roleplay, planning and review using secure SQA assessment support packs.

Why should I choose this course?

This course offers you an opportunity to enhance your knowledge and skills in administration. The award will provide you with the skills, in particular the soft skills of customer care, communication and negotiation skills, required to carry out administration functions effectively and efficiently within an organisation. 

You will have the opportunity to develop IT knowledge and skills, in relation to using modern office technologies for administration purposes. You will learn about the practical approaches needed for successful communication in the workplace. You will also develop knowledge, skills and attitudes, which improve your personal effectiveness. 

This PDA will provide you with a vehicle to formalise your skills or as a CPD tool. On completion of the PDA you may continue study towards another PDA or the full HNC Administration and Information Technology

Successful graduates may apply for membership to the Institute of Professional Administrators (IPA) but may be required to sit extra examinations. For candidates interested in pursuing such membership further, this qualification provides underpinning skills and knowledge for the following Institute of Administrative Management qualifications (IAM): 

  • Level 4 Diploma in Administration Management 

This would lead to Student membership of the Institute of Professional Administrators (IPA)

Where can this course lead?

This course will prepare candidates for employment in administrative roles within a wide range of public and private sector organisations. The type of positions, which may be taken up by candidates within the business and administrative environments include : 

  • virtual assistants 
  • receptionists 
  • secretaries
  • general administrators 

This award will allow candidates to formalise or extend their skills or both, which will allow development in their career.

What are the entry requirements?

Any of the following:

  • relevant work experience 
  • one Higher 
  • equivalent qualification from other awarding bodies
  • if English is not your first language, ESOL at an appropriate level, IELTS or equivalent with an entry score of 5.5 or above is advised

What are the interview arrangements?

Your offer of a place will be based on your application. If you do not meet the minimum entry requirements, you will be invited for an individual interview. 

Fees, finance and funding:

Fees and finances for day release:

There may be help available to assist with your study related costs. Impartial, confidential help and advice on financial matters is available from the Student Funding Team - including Bursaries, Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA), Student Awards Agency for Scotland, Student Loans Company and student support funds.

Click here to find out more about fees, finance and funding options.

Fees and finances for evening:

This course is eligible for:
- SAAS part time fee grant
- Fee waver allowed
- ITA approved

Find out more about Individual Training Accounts (ITA): https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/learn-and-train/sds-individual-training-accounts-ita

Find out more about Part-Time Fee Grants (PFGs): https://www.saas.gov.uk/part-time

Other information:

You may be able to get a 'Part-Time Fee Grant' to help pay for your tuition fees.  More information can be found at Part-time funding - SAAS

Alternatively, you may be eligible to receive up to £200 towards the cost of this course by applying for an SDS Individual Training Account (ITA). https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/learn-and-train/sds-individual-training-accounts-ita

Payment by instalments of equal monthly payments may be agreed with full payment required prior to the exam or on withdrawal from the course. A minimum of 20% is payable at enrolment. Some students get help with funding their studies. Take a look at our fees and funding pages for advice and to see if you'd qualify for student support.


Day release course: 24 weeks 6 hrs per week. This course may be offered as an evening course subject to demand.

Choose your study options

Study mode Part-Time and Day Release Start date 28/08/2023 Duration 1 year
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