BTEC information

Why might it be of interest?
A Btec is an alternative qualification to GCSEs, A-levels and higher qualifications.

BTECs are delivered with combination of theory and more practical hands on teaching which might make them more appropriate for some students. A student completes a number of units for which you can achieve a Pass, Merit or Distinction. The grades from higher Btec qualifications translate into UCAS points.

The different types of BTEC

BTECs are broken down into three main levels of study:

1. BTEC Firsts are available from entry level to Level 2 (similar standard to GCSEs). These offer an introduction to work in a vocational sector. Combined with other qualifications, these can enable you to go on to further study, to an apprenticeship, or into employment.

Level 1 is equivalent to lower grade GCSEs; Level 2 is equivalent to the top end grades.

A BTEC First Diploma is equivalent to 4 GCSEs, the level of which is dependent on your BTEC grade.

1. BTEC Nationals are available from Level 3 (similar standard to A levels). Many of these are well regarded by universities, further education colleges, and employers. A BTEC National qualification can lead to employment, continuing study, or professional development programmes.  You will usually need 5 GCSEs to study at Level 3.

Levels 4 and 5 are equivalent to the first and second years of an undergraduate degree.

1. BTEC Apprenticeships are available at Levels 2 to 5 across more than 25 sectors.

How do they work?

BTEC qualifications are flexible – you can take one alongside (or instead of) GCSEs and A levels in schools and colleges. They’re also usually studied full-time, either in college or jointly between a school and a college.

BTECs are divided into units, which cover specific areas of knowledge, skills, and understanding required by the particular sector or industry.

1. Every BTEC student takes the core units, which provide a broad foundation and understanding about the sector.

1. There is a range of optional units to choose from which enable students to focus on particular interests and plans they have for next steps into further study, an apprenticeship, or employment.

1. The course involves a series of assignments which can be written or activity-based, for example creating a film clip, planning and putting on a performance, or creating a business plan. Students complete some assignments individually and some as part of a team. For some BTEC courses, students can also apply their knowledge and skills through work experience.

While A-Levels are assessed mainly through exams, BTECs are assessed via regular coursework and projects throughout the course, as well as some externally marked tests.

BTEC First Level – more information

There are two types of First Level BTEC, each with different structures. As a student, you can either choose to take a subject as a certificate, each equivalent to one GCSE, or a BTEC First Diploma. The recommended time for study in person with a teacher is 180 hours per BTEC subject, or 360 hours for the diploma.

With this amount of teaching, First Level BTECs are generally completed in a single year. However, it may take longer if the qualifications are being studied part time.

The course is structured so that the same modules are covered in both the certificate and diploma awards, but more optional topics are introduced in the larger qualifications. Usually, as part of the certificate, learners must study both core units and three of the eight “sector” units, designed to link theory to the real world.

For the diploma, the same principle applies. However, students must study four core units alongside six out of eight of the optional “sector” topics.

National Level BTECs – Level 3 – more information

National Level BTECs are the second-tier qualifications in the UK. They are equivalent to Level 3 UK qualifications, which also includes A-Levels, Apprenticeships and T-Levels. All of these qualifications are classified under the term “further education”.

As National Level BTECs are of a higher standard and difficulty than BTEC Firsts, you will be awarded UCAS points alongside the qualification. The number of points you receive is based on the grades you are awarded, as with A-Levels.

BTEC grades work slightly differently to A-Levels in that you can earn between a distinction* and low pass rather than the regular grades A*-E. However, the UCAS points earnt line up between the two qualifications.

This means that both an A* and a Distinction* award the same number of points.

As with First Level, BTEC Nationals can be taken in several different formats. Within the “Nationals” category, it is possible to take an Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma in your chosen subject.  All these count as Level 3 qualifications and are part of further education, but some carry more weight than others.

There are different formats at National level:

The Extended Certificate is equivalent to one A-Level, and as with BTEC Firsts, is structured into units. There are three mandatory units, and the school or college will choose an optional unit to teach alongside this.

The Diploma is equivalent to two A-Levels.  The units are the same, but students are required to learn more topics. At this level, you will study six mandatory units and are given two optional ones.

The Extended National Diploma carries the weight of three GCE A-Levels.  It contains a total of 13 topics split into seven mandatory units and five optional units for the teacher to choose from.

Pearson, the exam board, suggests an allotted time that students should be in face-to-face learning for each programme. For the Extended Certificate, this is 360 hours, for the Diploma it is 720 hours, and the Extended Diploma asks for 1080 hours teaching time.

What is a Higher National Level BTEC equivalent to?

Higher National BTECs are quite varied and range from Levels 4-7. All of these are part of higher education, and so the content is of a degree-level standard.  Levels 4 and 5 represents the first and second years of university respectively.  A Level 6 qualification is equivalent to an entire undergraduate degree whilst a Level 7 is of the same standing as a master’s degree.

There is no set format for Higher National BTECs and as of Summer 2023 levels 6 and 7 will no longer exist.  Currently a Higher National Certificate is the equivalent of Level 4 and takes a single year to complete and is worth 120 credits towards a degree.  Higher National Diplomas are of the same standing as Level 5 qualifications, or the first two years of university. As it takes double the time to complete, the diploma earns double credits a certificate would, at 240.