BTEC First Diploma - Equiv to GCSE?

I dont get you lol:s, the question i was trying to ask was, how BTEC first diplomas are perceived by unis, if they do actually use them to see how "good" you are, in the same way they use GCSE's to choose people for competitive courses.

(in other words, are they actually worth anything, at this level, to a uni like bristol, or oxford, etc)

I recently completed my 2 Btec Firsts in Business and ICT, earning Distinction* for each, which is (im told) equivalent to 4 A* (2 for each course).

I have been told that these are equivalent to GCSE in places like college, etc, but i'm not sure on the universitys' view of this. I have heard that most uni's dont actually count them as equivalent to GCSE's and so they do not use them to differentiate between candidates (as in the selection process). Seeing as theyre equivalent to so much, i thought i would ask here, as i'm now really unsure, and because i cant really find anything anywhere else.

Anyone know the deal?

oh ok. Is it better to just ring up and ask lol (if they'd say, chances are they'd say something like "it depends" that doesnt answer my question lol)

The top uni's like oxford, cambridge, UCL.... probaly will prefer GCSE's to B-tec I mean a B-tec is just coursework its alot easier and less prestigous. But as long as your not doing b-tec for a-levels you can get into a very good uni like newcastle, leeds, manchester...

Hi, I went down the same route as you and I'm about to finish my Btec National Diploma and the Btec 1st basically gets you onto that course and then you no longer need it really. Universities will look at your A levels or equivalent course but it obviously does help gaining 2 distinctions and it will make you more attractive! .. My advice is, do well on the Btec National if you do that and make sure you have maths and English GCSEs! No equivalent when it comes to them.

O and for you question about the standard of the Distinctions ... They're good to have I have 3 distinctions on my BND which is apparently the same as AAA but It's not because I could never get into Oxford
or Cambridge! .. I got Lancaster though which is the one I always wanted and that's ranked like 8th now!

Congrats.

Did get the 3 distinctions at the national diploma level, or first diploma level (i.e GCSE level)?

Don't be naive. Btecs are not easy at all. If you want to succeed on a course like this you need to constantly do well, working hard over a 2 year period because it is assignment based and they come all year round not just twice or whatever when use have exams.

O and for the record .. I got offers from

Lancaster
Leeds
Newcastle
Shefield
Chester

That's from a Btec

Oh, my question was about first diplomas..

For GCSE their pretty much the same but at an advanced level a b-tec is easier than a proper A-level. Both require the need to constantly do well. Besides the government introduced b-tec's as an alternative for people who do not do well in exams. And you have reinfored my earlier point all your offers are very very good uni's but their not top ones like oxford and cambridge.

OK fair enough but please read this and then tell me Lancaster isn't a top University.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/datablog/2010/jun/15/university-tables-spreadsheet