What is a BTEC? Is it as valuable as an A-level? (2024)

CONTENTS

• What's a BTEC?
• What are the different BTEC levels?
• What does BTEC stand for?
• What's a BTEC Level 3 equivalent to?
• Why is everyone talking about BTECs?
• What universities accept BTEC?
• Can you go through Clearing with BTEC qualifications?
• What's the difference between an A-level and a BTEC?
• How are BTECs assessed?
• How does the BTEC grading system work?
• How is the BTEC grading different to A-levels?
• What do careers advisers say about BTECs?
• BTEC or A-level?

What's a BTEC?

A BTEC is a vocational qualification studied at school or college. They tend to be work-related and are ideal for any student who prefers more practical-based learning. BTEC qualifications allow you to continue further study at university or enter the workforce.

What are the different BTEC levels?

There are a few main types of BTEC levels. BTEC Firsts are Level 2 qualifications, equivalent to GCSE level study. BTEC Nationals are Level 3 qualifications, the same standard as A-level study. BTEC Higher Nationals are Level 4/5 study, the same level as the first two years of degree study.

Sixth form colleges are most likely to offer BTEC Nationals. The amount of A-levels a BTEC National is equivalent to depends on how many modules you study. A BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate is worth one A-level, while a Level 3 National Diploma is worth two A-levels. The BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma is worth three A-levels.

What does BTEC stand for?

BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council, named after the body which first governed the qualifications (it’s now Edexcel).

What's a BTEC level 3 equivalent to?

The BTEC level 3 equivalent is A-level. BTECs at levels 1 and 2 are equivalent to GCSEs, with levels 4 to 7 holding the same status of achievement as a degree.

Why is everyone talking about BTECs?

More and more students studying BTECs are applying to university. According to a 2018 UCAS report, over 10% of students going to uni were doing so holding a BTEC qualification alone. A further 7.2% have a mix of BTEC and A-level.

Some universities have been historically more focused on A-levels as suitable entry requirements, but as the number of students studying BTECs has risen, the qualification has become more common.

Laura Kishore, Head of Admissions at Oxford Brookes University, has noticed this trend:

“We’ve seen a definite rise in the proportion of applicants with BTEC qualifications. Now that BTEC Level 3 qualifications come in different sizes (i.e. not just the equivalent of three A-levels, but the size of two or even one A-level), we have seen an even bigger rise in the numbers of applicants offering both BTEC and A-level qualifications.”

Which universities accept BTEC?

Most unis accept BTEC applicants. As Laura confirmed to us, “All of our courses at Oxford Brookes are open to students with BTECs.”

Even Russell Group universities, including the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge, recognise BTECs as part of their overall course requirements. They’ll usually accept BTECs alongside other qualifications such as A-levels.

Remember that entry requirements differ across courses.The standard 18-unit extended BTEC level 3 diploma is equivalent to three A-levels, so plenty of unis will be happy to accept you with this qualification.

If you’re doing a 12-unit BTEC, most higher education courses will want you to have an A-level or AS Level too. Even if you’ve completed an 18-unit BTEC, some unis will want you to also have one or two A-levels.

Our course search pages feature the entry requirements, so you'll easily be able to see what sort of results you'll need to study it. Got a course in mind already? Take our course search tool for a spin and check out how your BTEC could help you get into uni.

Can you go through Clearing with BTEC qualifications?

If you don't receive your desired BTEC results, you can use Clearing to find another path into uni. Check out our handy Clearing course search to see what unis have open spaces for students in Clearing.

What's the difference between an A-level and a BTEC?

BTECs are vocational qualifications rather than traditional academic courses. Typical subjects offered at BTEC level include business studies, engineering, information technology and travel and tourism. You can’t study subjects like history or English at BTEC level.

BTECs and A-levels also differ in the way they’re assessed. A-levels mainly involve two years of study with assessments at the end of the course. BTECs are continually assessed through coursework and practical projects.

How are BTECs assessed?

BTECs are primarily assessed through coursework assignments. You might be required to do some work placements as a part of your qualification, and the assignments you have to write will be based on a mixture of classroom based learning and experience from work placements. Shorter BTEC qualifications may not require any work placements and might be assessed solely based on classroom based learning.

While BTECs are usually assessed through coursework submissions throughout the year, there may also be an exam element to your course depending on the subject you choose to study. You can rest assured though, no matter what BTEC subject you choose, you'll be primarily assessed through regular coursework submissions.

How does the BTEC grading system work?

BTECs are graded on a scale from Starred Distinction (D*) to Pass (P). The full grading scale, starting with the highest possible grade, is here:

• Starred Distinction/Distinction Star (D*)
• Distinction (D)
• Merit (M)
• Pass (P)

If you're doing a BTEC equivalent to multiple A-levels, you'll see this related in your final result. If you're taking a BTEC worth two A-levels, you'll receive an overall result comprised of two BTEC grades, for example D*D, or MM.

How is the BTEC grading different to A-levels?

Just like A-levels, different BTEC grades are worth different amounts of UCAS points. Unlike A-levels, however, they aren't marked from A*-E. A D* is generally considered to be equivalent to an A*, and a P is equivalent to an E. In terms of UCAS points, a D in BTEC is worth the same UCAS points as an A, and a BTEC Merit is the same UCAS points as a C.

Some universities make offers in terms of grades rather than UCAS points. In some cases, universities might require higher BTEC grades than you might expect based on their typical A-level offer and the equivalent UCAS points. This may be because the highest BTEC grades are generally more common than the highest A-level grades.

Q&A with two BTEC students

To learn a bit more about what it’s like going to university with a BTEC instead of A-levels, we spoke to two students who are doing just that.

Kavitha Thomas studied a BTEC in business studies, administration and management at college before going on to study international business management at Coventry University. Kate Kennedy is a mature student who studied a BTEC extended diploma in art and design:

Why did you choose to study a BTEC instead of A-levels?

Kavitha: “It involved more coursework than exams, and I was good at coursework and practical work. You also interact more with your teachers and fellow students, so it was a more relaxed atmosphere. I’m really glad that I did a BTEC rather than A-levels.”

Kate: “I’m not very good at exams, and even art A-levels involve exams, so that was a major issue for me. As a mature student with a very specific career plan, doing a BTEC is ideal as it means I can concentrate on just one project at a time and focus on the one subject I’m passionate about (as the course is seen as a whole rather than separate entities like A-levels).”

Have you found it straightforward to apply to uni with a BTEC?

Kavitha: “Yes, it was very straightforward. There wasn’t much difference between my experience and the experience my friends with A-levels had.”

Kate: “When looking at course entry requirements, it was easy to go on the Whatuni website, select my course and see what BTEC grades I’d need to achieve.”

Are there any other benefits to choosing a BTEC?

Kavitha: “I think universities and employers appreciate students with a BTEC because they have so many practical skills. Plus, BTECs are really good for entrepreneurs as they give you many opportunities to get your ideas across. A few of my BTEC friends have even started their own businesses.”

Kate: “I did A-levels when I was younger and didn’t find them flexible enough for someone like me, who has dyslexia. BTECs are based on regular assessment and coursework, with more independence and flexible support. If you find traditional teaching methods and exams difficult but still want to go on to further study, BTECs may be a better option.”

What do careers advisers say about BTECs?

We spoke to Phil Cass, Head of Careers at the Billericay School and Sixth Form, and Carol Mayall, Head of Careers at Aquinas College in Manchester, to get a professional perspective on BTECs:

Why might a student prefer to take a BTEC rather than A-levels?

Phil: “It’s a different style of assessment. It’s ongoing and portfolio driven, with much less focus on terminal examinations. That appeals to some students, as does the subject mix, which tends to be more directly career-related than A-levels.”

Carol: “They’re a more practical qualification which can test and develop a student’s employability skills, such as time management, communication, problem-solving and planning, as well as academic skills like research and independent study, which are required for university.”

Can students with a BTEC still go to university?

Phil: “Yes, students with BTECs are able to apply to university (although they need to be level 3, i.e. A-level equivalent). Students should make sure the university accepts BTECs and check whether they need to combine their BTEC with at least one A-level. Checking the university website directly would be a sensible first move.”

Carol: “BTECs are awarded the same UCAS points as A-levels, so they won’t stop you from getting into university.”

How do employers feel about BTECs?

Phil: “I’d say that BTECs are well recognised by those career areas that have qualifications in them – for example, we offer health and social care here which is a well-recognised route into careers within that sector.”

Carol: “Doing a BTEC rather than A-levels shouldn’t affect your chances of finding employment. It hasn’t stopped any of our students from getting a job (although our students study BTECs in combination with A-levels). With careers in fields such as IT, a BTEC may be particularly desirable, as they are very hands-on. Since BTECs have been around in some form for more than 30 years now, many employers may even have BTEC qualifications themselves.”

BTEC or A-level?

We asked Laura Kishore whether university admissions teams respect BTECs as much as A-levels. “Yes, they do”, she confirmed.

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