About The BTEC Qualification

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Extract taken from:

Introducing BTEC from EdExcel's BTEC qualifications, a guide for parents

"Every year, almost half a million learners study for BTEC qualifications. Offered by colleges, universities and employers, BTECs equip learners with the tools needed for higher study and getting a job. Popular for years in colleges, BTEC qualifications are now offered in many schools giving learners the chance to get their career on the right track from a younger age.

BTECs range for entry-level qualifications to post-graduate qualifications. Schools are able to offer Introductory, First and National qualifications. Learners can specialise in these or take them alongside GCSEs and A Levels. FE colleges tend to offer a wider range of BTECs (including Higher Nationals) for part-time and full-time learners, including adults returning to education.

Some BTECs offer learners their first chance to study for subjects such as Engineering, Performing Arts or Travel and Tourism. Others, like Business and ICT, give learners a more practical approach to subjects offered at GCSE and A Level.

We develop BTECs in consultation with industry and professionals, ensuring that they are relevant, progressive and recognised by professional bodies, employers and universities. BTEC qualifications are also flexible - schools and colleges can add local flavour to the course they run, while maintaining a national standard.

Qualifications that work

BTEC qualifications are suitable for a wide range of learners. They encourage and recognise achievement in learners, some of whom may not be getting the most out of 'traditional' academic study. Those who enjoy hands-on practical work with plenty of real-life situations tend to find stimulation and success through BTEC qualifications.

There is no fixed entry point for BTECs. For example, learners don't have to have achieved a BTEC First before doing a BTEC National. Each school or college sets its own entrance criteria. BTECs develop and enhance the skills that learners already have and encourage them to think about relating the learning to real-life situations.

A straightforward structure

Each BTEC is made up of a number of units. For example, a BTEC National Diploma (which is equivalent to 3 A levels) has 18 units. In order to achieve each unit, learners' projects have to show achievement against a set of 'outcomes'. Learners can complete their projects either as part of a group or individually, with the option for work placement in many programmes.

It is important to note the BTECs are not exam-based qualifications. The project that learners do form the basis of unit results and an overall result. They are able to spread their learning over a number of years, allowing them to build their skills more gradually.

Grading that's easy to understand

BTEC units are graded individually (so, for a BTEC National Diploma, the student gets 18 separate unit results and one overall one). Each unit is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, according to how the learner has performed against a set of criteria. Once the learner has completed all units, Edexcel calculates an overall Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. The table below shows how BTEC qualifications relate to GCSEs and A Levels.

What is available?

Qualification	Units	Duration (hours)	Equivalent to
Introductory Certificate	4	180	2 GCSEs D-G
Introductory Diploma			4 GCSEs D-G
First Certificate			2 GCSEs A*-C
First Diploma			4 GCSEs A*-C
National Award			1 Advanced GCE
National Certificate			2 Advanced GCE
National Diploma			3 Advanced GCE

The BTEC National Qualifications now qualify for UCAS points

Progression

BTECs give learners the opportunity to develop a wide range of skills for progression into either higher education or the workplace. Many of these skills relate to the subject for which they are studying, others area general work-related skills such as working as part of a team, and communicating effectively. More than half the learners who complete a BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) go on to complete a degree in a related subject area.

Alternatively, those entering the workplace can contribute immediately with the skills they have learned.

Recognition

BTECs are understood and recognised by a large number of organisations in a wide range of sectors, from Art and Design to Travel and Tourism. Our qualifications are developed with key industry representatives, ensuring we meet employers' needs as well as learners' needs. Main employers in all major industry sectors recognise and value holders of BTEC qualifications, and many industry bodies offer BTEC holders exemptions against their own accredited qualifications.

For more information on professional recognition, please contact our Customer Service team."

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