Student Case Studies

Business Level 3 & FdA - Dale

Former School(s): Royal Alexandra & Albert School

Dale was determined to pursue his interest in business and get a qualification, so joined ESC on the Business Level 3 course, whilst also re-taking his English GCSE.

Whilst on the Level 3 courses, he found the learning style to be completely different to school, and appreciated the continued assessment method on a BTEC course, meaning he was not assessed with just one exam. 

"I found the standards of teaching to be extremely high, compounded by the tutors having the relevant experience in their subject." 

After completing his Level 3, Dale secured a hugely competitive internship at Total Gas & Power, sourced by ESC. After his first summer at Total, he then returned to College for the Business Management Foundation Degree, studying in the evening whilst also taking AAT Accounting Levels 2-3 during the day!

"The lecture sizes at ESC made learning a much more positive experience. There were some lectures where we could have a two-way discussion, making the learning experience much more engaging, interactive and constructive – this is not something that is possible at most Universities."

In the second year of his degree, he joined UK Power Networks as a Junior Management Accounting Technician, which then evolved into Finance Business Partnering and BI Reporting as a Data Scientist. 

Dale then continued in education part-time, completing a part-time Applied Accounting BSc Hons degree! He said: "I have a great manager/ mentor and I been very lucky to receive study support, including time off for exams. I particularly enjoy the creative side of my role and travelling to meet people." 

This has been supported by various computer science executive education programmes at the constituent colleges of the University of London and one with Oxford Said Business School.

Now, after five years at UKPN, Dale is moving to Heineken to lead a ‘business intelligence’ reporting transformation project. From October, he has been accepted to study a one-year advanced diploma at Level 6, focusing on ‘Information Systems’ with the University of Oxford! 

It all starts with a BTEC Level 3. Explore our Business and Accounting courses here.