BTEC national diplomas vs. A-levels

Do you think BTEC national diplomas should have the same creditability as A-levels?

D*D*D* at BTEC equates to 420 UCAS points as does A*A*A* at A-level but is this fair?

One of my friends who attended college and did a BTEC national diploma in Media Studies had a timetable which only required him to come in 3 days every week. He often regarded his course as a "walk in the park" and that he felt the course was more of a social club than an education. He came out with three distinction stars this Summer.

On the other hand, another friend sat A-levels and had to attend Sixth Form Monday-Friday (9am - 3:30 pm). He was told by teachers that he had to do eight hours of independent study/homework each week for each subject. This Summer he came out with AAB which equates to 340 UCAS points.

Judging by workload and difficulty do you think that BTEC national diplomas should be regarded in the same light as A-levels?

Even though BTEC can be easier, A-levels are more sort after when going to unis and open up more courses and uni's to chose from as some uni's do not consider BTEC's because they do not cover some of the right topics. So A-levels are harder but they are in a sense better than BTECS. So in answer to your questions they are not regarded in the same light at the moment (A-levels are still considered to be better) and also for a course that requires say 360 or higher UCAS points e.g. medicine, medical schools wont even consider BTEC's as they do not cover the correct topics even the chem and bio ones.

Source?

Btecs are generally easier though, requires less time abd effort where students can relax abd type up their work on the computer instead of revising for exams.

I hate his whole thing....

do you know how many soft A-levels there are?

how is it fair people can take them get an A*? like Media Studies? compared to Ancient History? How is it fair someone got into Uni because they got A*CC the A* being in Media and let's say someone else done 2 of the Same A-levels but instead of Media they took Ancient History and they got BCC

now the person with the A*CC has more UCAS and a higher chance of getting into University... How is that fair?

BTEC is a lot of hard work you shouldn't compare it to A-levels when A-levels are unfair with different subjects anyway.

But surely universities look into the subjects a candidate studies. They don't solely choose based on UCAS points.

It does depend on the Uni but my point still stands.

But aren't BTEC's vocational in nature anyway? Sports Science, Media Studies, Social Work, Applied Science, Health and Social Care, Construction, Electrical, mechanical and Jewellery making to name a few.

So what is your problem with A-level media studies anyway?

What do you consider harder?? BTEC courses also have Exams.. they have practical assessments. These must have evidence such as video evidence which is reviewed and verified internally by other tutors and externally at random.

I can never understand why people are obsessed with comparing A levels and BTEC and gauging intelligence on written Exams.. I think it was Albert Einstein (thought to be very "intelligent"?) that said " Everybody is a genius... but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking it's stupid"

Because some people don't like spending 8 hours a day reading and revising... but prefer learning through practical experiences.. doesn't mean it is any easier learn.. and it doesn't mean University's should shunt people that choose play on their strengths rather than choose academic A Levels and hate the subjects they take...

I would like to see someone doing A-levels get in front of a class of 20 students.. or the public... or the in a work based situation and APPLY their knowledge under pressure while maintaining a good level of customer service.. awareness of health and safety etc.. completely different kettle of fish.. and in my eyes shouldn't be compared...

What do you consider harder?? BTEC courses also have Exams.. they have practical assessments. These must have evidence such as video evidence which is reviewed and verified internally by other tutors and externally at random.

I can never understand why people are obsessed with comparing A levels and BTEC and gauging intelligence on written Exams.. I think it was Albert Einstein (thought to be very "intelligent"?) that said " Everybody is a genius... but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life thinking it's stupid"

Because some people don't like spending 8 hours a day reading and revising... but prefer learning through practical experiences.. doesn't mean it is any easier learn.. and it doesn't mean University's should shunt people that choose play on their strengths rather than choose academic A Levels and hate the subjects they take...

I would like to see someone doing A-levels get in front of a class of 20 students.. or the public... or the in a work based situation and APPLY their knowledge under pressure while maintaining a good level of customer service.. awareness of health and safety etc.. completely different kettle of fish.. and in my eyes shouldn't be compared...

Uni's value A-level more because even though yes practical are as hard there is alot of certain subjects that have alot of work that cannot be taught by practical e.g. about half of the things in physics, so alot of the knowledge is missing from a BTEC becuase it is only practical based

That's completely incorrect. NVQ is practical based learning... although you still have to complete work books under certain controls for NVQ. As a person that took a GNVQ Level 2 then a 2 year BTEC Level 3, I can assure you that to get a DDD I had to spend hours... and hours in the Library researching and had to complete 18 units in 2 years.. consisting of many (and I mean many) assignments... If anything it prepares you better for University because you're under constant deadlines for assignments as well preparation for presentations and practical and group work.

I'm not for a second suggesting that all subjects can be taught through the BTEC or NVQ courses, what I'm concerned about and people have been for a long time now, is this separation or degrading of students that chose to do a BTEC instead of say 3-4 A-Levels only narrows the variety of talent coming up through the education system...

For Example. I left school without a single GCSE... Wasn't interested in any other subject apart from PE... Now say what you like about sports courses... or people involved in sport (jocks.. stupid etc.) but because my school was only interested in this ridiculous idea that the only people worth helping out were either the really badly behaved kids... or the ones that were "academic" . Kids like me who clearly enjoyed learning outside of the classroom and actually being involved in activities, got left behind. The same with the BTECs... you have a group of kids that clearly want to apply them selves to a certain industry or trade or skill set... They have no interest in selecting maybe 1-2 A levels they like and tolerating the other two just to get into university. Then when they achieve.. the government... and Universities again hit them with this crap about because you didn't learn our way we aren't interested... well I happen to think those so called "educated" people are narrow minded and that it really strengthens my opinion that people that just go through the motions with education and care more about UCAS points than actually doing what's right for them, do more damage than good to them selves.

To devalue someone that has just spent 2 years of their life learning is wrong and if you took the A-Level or BTEC route you have equal opportunities to progress because both bring something else to higher education... Wow rant over. I've said all i've got to say haha

Do you think BTEC national diplomas should have the same creditability as A-levels?

D*D*D* at BTEC equates to 420 UCAS points as does A*A*A* at A-level but is this fair?

One of my friends who attended college and did a BTEC national diploma in Media Studies had a timetable which only required him to come in 3 days every week. He often regarded his course as a "walk in the park" and that he felt the course was more of a social club than an education. He came out with three distinction stars this Summer.

On the other hand, another friend sat A-levels and had to attend Sixth Form Monday-Friday (9am - 3:30 pm). He was told by teachers that he had to do eight hours of independent study/homework each week for each subject. This Summer he came out with AAB which equates to 340 UCAS points.

Judging by workload and difficulty do you think that BTEC national diplomas should be regarded in the same light as A-levels?