Why are A level students more mature than BTEC students?

I took A-Level ICT and then A-Level Computing at my school, however there was a point when I was considering taking ICT BTEC because I wanted to aim directly into an ICT career although I later re-considered this. In terms of the ICT BTEC at least, it was clear to me that the A-Level ICT was far harder. You could say it was the type of examination, got BTEC ICT and A-level had a coursework assignment however A-level also had an examination which was absent for BTEC. I am not going to generalise all BTEC's, however I do believe it is the general consensus that A-levels are harder, simply for the facts that University's respect and desire A-levels more. However if you are taking a BTEC it isn't an attack on you. Its just there are varying levels of difficulty, including within A-levels, such as the 'soft' and 'hard' subjects. Its just the reality of the situation I believe, There is more content at an higher advanced level taught at A-level, at least in my opinion. However that doesn't mean you are bad for taking a BTEC, just people chose different things, and a BTEC is, as you stated more for going directly into work whereas A-levels are for University hence are up to a higher level in my opinion to provide that direct transition into University. Hope I have explained myself well

Oh, I see, do you reckon it would be fair to say that the difficulty depends on how you, personally, work rather than the qualification itself, though? Like, some people are more suited to exams than coursework, so you sound pretty gifted to me, tbh (also I just realised that I ****ed up and said that maths would be easier instead of harder, sorry, I fixed it though )

I took A-Level ICT and then A-Level Computing at my school, however there was a point when I was considering taking ICT BTEC because I wanted to aim directly into an ICT career although I later re-considered this. In terms of the ICT BTEC at least, it was clear to me that the A-Level ICT was far harder. You could say it was the type of examination, got BTEC ICT and A-level had a coursework assignment however A-level also had an examination which was absent for BTEC. I am not going to generalise all BTEC's, however I do believe it is the general consensus that A-levels are harder, simply for the facts that University's respect and desire A-levels more. However if you are taking a BTEC it isn't an attack on you. Its just there are varying levels of difficulty, including within A-levels, such as the 'soft' and 'hard' subjects. Its just the reality of the situation I believe, There is more content at an higher advanced level taught at A-level, at least in my opinion. However that doesn't mean you are bad for taking a BTEC, just people chose different things, and a BTEC is, as you stated more for going directly into work whereas A-levels are for University hence are up to a higher level in my opinion to provide that direct transition into University. Hope I have explained myself well

Probably, i did not study properly while i was at sixth form. I overestimated myself terribly and paid for it.

Oh no, I'm sorry to hear that I won't pry any further, but I do hope that things have/will become better for you since then

They did (:

Probably, i did not study properly while i was at sixth form. I overestimated myself terribly and paid for it.

The only inherent difference between BTEC and A-level students is the type of qualification they are doing, although, perhaps, BTEC students may be more passionate about what they're doing, since they're doing something more specific, as they know that they want to do it. Anyway, it's probably just that your college that's full of *****, rather than anything else.



BTEC courses are not inherently easier than A-level courses, many A-level students go to college and only have to attend 2-3 days a week, whilst many BTEC students have to work a full five day week, it all comes down to the courses you choose to do, rather than the type of qualification you choose,especially since most BTEC students opt to do level 3 BTECs which are equivalent to 3 A-levels, so don’t even act like BTEC qualifications are somehow less valuable than A-level qualifications. Plus, before anyone comments that A-levels better prepare you for university, so you’re more likely to get in: BTECs are for people interested in going to work sooner, and are the best way to achieve that (not that it’s impossible to get into a university with a BTEC, many people do). Besides, not everybody wants to go to university, or even a top university, for that matter

Actually, in my opinion, making broad generalisations based on your limited experiences is the truly immature thing to do, and is actually quite disrespectful,especially when you're undermining the hard work of some people (BTEC students).

This is a silly generalisation. Being 20 years old and doing AS + A2 levels, I can assure you A Level students are certainly not 'mature' by any stretch.

Are you 20 & doing A Levels? Are you in 6th form by any chance

Yeah, I'm at a further education college

Fantastic, I am in a similar situation myself. What are you studying?

Your post really comes across as arrogant and hypocritical; you attack the person who made a comment that wasn't even harsh or condescending, yet you do the exact same to them. Some BTEC courses like Engineering are probably quite difficult / equipping for life as an engineer, but the majority get a reputation for being very easy. And, actually, in my opinion, making a pathetic sulky response to someone giving an opinion is the truly immature thing to do.