This discussion is now closed.

Check out other Related discussions

Does studying a BTEC and not A Level make you dumb?

Not true- at all.

Some BTECS (lets use childcare as an example) not only offer academic study- but hands on experience. If I chose to do a L3 childcare course when I left school it would of lasted just as long as A Levels- and I would be able to able to all the related courses like primary teaching for example.

I notice more and more people seem to go into industry rather than higher education with BTECs though.

It doesn't make you thick at all, I don't think you realise the intensity of the work that is involved in them.

Reply 21

shorttstuff

10

Original post by SophiePearman

I study three a levels and a btec.
I take performing arts (acting) and there's a lot of effort required. I wouldn't say it challenging. But it is howeve quite simple and i do regret taking it, as I'd of preferred to of done A level drama. Sadly didn't have the option
I also study media and i'm sick of hearing people criticising it. Saying its easy and that its easier than a btec. Have you actually taken media studies? Its actually rather challenging and you do need to know and understand a lot.So please could you not try and put media studies down as I'm sick of hearing it.

Couldn't agree more! (but then again this is TSR) I wouldn't mind seeing you guys trying to analyse a 5 minute clip and knowing every camera angle/editing technique possible.

Media Studies is a really nice contrast to my other A-level subjects (Maths, Econ, Law) and is not for thickos!

Reply 22

M4LLY

12

No. Personally i think they are better suited to some people. One guy i know does BTEC business and A level Geography. He says that he prefers the BTEC more because there is much less pressure to get the work done. In the end, its all about personal preferences.

Reply 23

rockshow7

A friend and I took Btec National awards in biology, and now study a Bsc in Biology at one of the top 20 universities. Oxbridge most likely won't accept them simply due to the immense competition, but others will. I don't think it made me any less intelligent. While writing coursework isn't as hard as sitting an examination in terms of remembering information, i found that the process of writing about 18 pieces of coursework a year actually taught me the material. When I started at university I found that it took a while to get used to examinations again, but first year doesn't count so that's no problem. Now I'm second year and have got firsts in a few of my exams, with what I can assure you was a less than extreme level of effort.

Ideally, I'd say to stick to A-levels for convenience (you do end up on a bit of an uphill struggle when it comes to universities with BTECs, but one that isn't impossible to climb), but if you are already taking BTECs and put in the work, you'll find that you can learn just as much. I can assure you, the inconsistency between my attendance and grades (Low and High) do NOT suggest that BTECs made me "dumb".

Reply 24

natalieann1993

10

Original post by Edenwood

Not necessarily. In my experience the people who talk BTECs down the most are the people who are doing crap A levels like media studies and thus are attempting to shift the focus from their poor choices onto other people. BTECs can be as useful as A levels if you are aware of a specific field you wish to go into.

I took media studies. I didn't really I must be thick. :frown:

Reply 25

tombrown16

2

Original post by Aspiringlawstudent

Oh, the irony.

Perhaps you were too stupid and lazy to check for mistakes?

You sir, are a snob. It must feel very satisfying to have an ego the size of The Empire State Building. Your post and signature do no more than prove your narcissistic immaturity, and, that while you may be very academically capable, you're probably severely lacking in other areas... :wink:

Reply 26

Beebumble

16

Original post by Aspiringlawstudent

Oh, the irony.

Perhaps you were too stupid and lazy to check for mistakes?

Maybe you were too lazy to check out what the word 'irony' means.

Reply 27

Aspiringlawstudent

3

Original post by tombrown16

You sir, are a snob. It must feel very satisfying to have an ego the size of The Empire State Building. Your post and signature do no more than prove your narcissistic immaturity, and, that while you may be very academically capable, you're probably severely lacking in other areas... :wink:

Your argument is ad hominem and therefore invalid.

Good day.

Reply 28

tabmax22

12

BTECs are considered lower than A levels mainly due to contextual reasons rather than anything to do with the difficulty of the content itself. BTEC is mainly for the working class who rejected the school and the system, whereas A levels are aimed more at the middle and upper class who have higher aspirations.

Reply 29

suirrel

13

They're different and aim to teach you different skills.

The reason many universities don't accept BTECs for A levels (except in things like ICT, business, engineering, etc) is just because universities teach Medicine in a way that needs the skills and knowledge of A levels. Getting Distinction and Distinction* is a very tough thing, same as getting As at A level.

You can be intelligent and well read and study BTECs, you can be an incurious boring person and study A levels.

I think people who are less academic are often pushed toward BTECs, and because they are not academic or otherwise not suited for school, they get medium-low marks - if you are academic and motivated and you choose to study BTECs, you'll get the same top grades as you would if you did A levels.

Reply 30

LizzyD13

1

I study a BTEC in health and social care, not because I was 'dumb' so I couldn't take a levels but when I sat my as level exams I got so nervous I couldn't remember anything!!
I was predicted BCC at a level which are respectable grades but I am now predicted D*D*D* at BTEC in my second year.
Take it from someone who studied psychology, sociology and human biology at a level, I am being taught the exact same things now at BTEC in some of my units.
I am most certainly not dumb and anyone who thinks so needs to rectify their obvious ignorance.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 31

BrazenStudent

I graduated from Sixth Form in the summer of 2013. As I didn't know what I wanted to do, I decided to apply for the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production being offered at my local college. I'm now in the second year of my course and thoroughly enjoying every minute of it.

I think discipline is the key word here. In BTEC subjects, I've noticed that students aren't brought up to account very often - especially since the exam board only checks a few samples of work from students. I think that, with A-Levels, you were expected to be more self-sufficient. There are people in our class who are attaining high grades, even with minimal effort. An aspect of A-Levels that I particularly respected was the whole 'bringing people to account' scenario. That doesn't really happen with BTECs.

Also, you have to be constantly active when it comes to A-Levels. I noticed that this wasn't the case with BTECs (at least the first year of my course) - you are given room to slack off (or the lecturers are just that unobservant).

I've noticed that the people I studied with/knew at Sixth Form, on the whole, are much smarter than those in my BTEC class. The lecturers, also, do not seem to be as knowledgeable or resourceful as those who taught me at Sixth Form. They claim to have years' worth of industry experience, but I can't see it.

Reply 32

Pseudocode

3

Original post by tabmax22

BTECs are considered lower than A levels mainly due to contextual reasons rather than anything to do with the difficulty of the content itself. BTEC is mainly for the working class who rejected the school and the system, whereas A levels are aimed more at the middle and upper class who have higher aspirations.

What a load of tosh. In many sectors BTEC's are more desirable as they are an indicator of taking on project work at a young age and also focusing yourself on one particular area. Most of the time, many companies only ask for an A Level in Maths and that can be taken alongside a BTEC specialising in another subject. Many people who do a BTEC in Engineering or IT also take A Level Maths alongside it.

Reply 33

amongsttheweeds

18

Original post by Pseudocode

What a load of tosh. In many sectors BTEC's are more desirable as they are an indicator of taking on project work at a young age and also focusing yourself on one particular area. Most of the time, many companies only ask for an A Level in Maths and that can be taken alongside a BTEC specialising in another subject. Many people who do a BTEC in Engineering or IT also take A Level Maths alongside it.

I feel a bit weird quoting you again so soon, but you are dead right.

Posted from TSR Mobile

Reply 34

tabmax22

12

Original post by Pseudocode

What a load of tosh. In many sectors BTEC's are more desirable as they are an indicator of taking on project work at a young age and also focusing yourself on one particular area. Most of the time, many companies only ask for an A Level in Maths and that can be taken alongside a BTEC specialising in another subject. Many people who do a BTEC in Engineering or IT also take A Level Maths alongside it.