BTEC
BTECs (Business & Technology Education Council) are nationally recognised qualifications available in a wide variety of vocational subjects, including:
- Applied Science
- Art and Design
- Business
- Construction
- E-business
- Engineering
- Health and Care
- Hospitality
- IT
- Land and Environment
- Media
- Performing Arts
- Public Services
- Retail
- Sport
- Travel and Tourism
There are a number of different levels of courses, including the following:
1. Introductory Certificates and Diplomas
Set at Level 1 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), these qualifications encourage learners to develop the personal attributes and skills that will build their confidence in their ability to work, learn and achieve full potential at Level 1.
| Qualification | Units | Equivalent to: |
|---|---|---|
| Introductory Certificates | 4 | 2 GCSEs (grades D - G) |
| Introductory Diplomas | 8 | 4 GCSEs (grades D - G) |
2. First Certificates and Diplomas
Set at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Courses usually take one year to complete, with students needing a few GCSEs at grades D-G to start.
| Qualification | Units | Equivalent to: |
|---|---|---|
| First Certificates | 3 | 2 GCSEs (grades A* - C) |
| First Diplomas | 6 | 4 GCSEs (grades A* - C) |
3. National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas
Set at Level 3 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), BTEC National qualifications focus on a specialist occupational area. Courses usually take two years to complete, with students needing at least four GCSE at grades A-C, a first diploma or an NVQ level 2 for entry.
| Qualification | Units | Equivalent to: |
|---|---|---|
| National Awards | 6 | 1 Advanced GCE |
| National Certificates | 12 | 2 Advanced GCEs |
| National Diplomas | 18 | 3 Advanced GCEs |
Each unit is graded individually as a Pass, Merit or Distinction, then once the student has completed all units, they are given an overall Pass, Merit or Distinction grade.
BTEC National Diplomas, Certificates and Awards are often taken as an alternative to A levels, providing a route into Higher Education. Each National qualification qualifies for UCAS points, as shown in the table below.
| UCAS Points |
National Award |
National Certificate |
National Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| 360 | DDD | ||
| 320 | DDM | ||
| 280 | DMM | ||
| 240 | DD | MMM | |
| 220 | |||
| 200 | DM | MMP | |
| 180 | |||
| 160 | MM | MPP | |
| 140 | |||
| 120 | D | MP | PPP |
| 110 | |||
| 100 | |||
| 90 | |||
| 80 | M | PP | |
| 70 | |||
| 60 | |||
| 50 | |||
| 40 | P | ||
| 30 | |||
| 20 |
4. Higher National Certificates and Diplomas
Set at levels 4 and 5 of the National Qualifications Framework (NQF), HNCs and HNDs are higher education qualifications; more details can be found here.
