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Which one is better Btec or A levels

I'm from Jamaica, but moving to Uk in july. i'm planning to go to school, but i have heard that there is two way to get into uni that is by btec or a level. First of all, i want to become a psychologist. i know a level will get me into uni for that, but will btech get into as well? what btec course i am suppose to do? i really want to become psychologist, but i dont know which path to go down. Can you please assist in which path is the best for me. i'm 18 turning 19 in august.

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Well, depends what you wanna do at college do you prefer doing something more academic opposed to vocational which is more practical. I'd say go for the A level psychology and then do another two/three subjects which you also enjoy.
Read this thread - all anecdotal evidence, but it will give you a flavour of what you need to weigh up in the light of the way you would like to learn:

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/tweens-teens-581/teens-61/542403-levels-b-tech-all.html
Original post by Black Cat
Well, depends what you wanna do at college do you prefer doing something more academic opposed to vocational which is more practical. I'd say go for the A level psychology and then do another two/three subjects which you also enjoy.
i will have find a college which will allow me to do a levels, because of my age. could you help with me find colleges in London, which will allow to do a level but not so expensive.

Original post by Holmstock
Read this thread - all anecdotal evidence, but it will give you a flavour of what you need to weigh up in the light of the way you would like to learn:

http://www.netmums.com/coffeehouse/tweens-teens-581/teens-61/542403-levels-b-tech-all.html

Thanks mate
Original post by nembhard
i will have find a college which will allow me to do a levels, because of my age. could you help with me find colleges in London, which will allow to do a level but not so expensive.



Here are some of the college's in London it's your choice which one you will ultimately pick, but make sure you attend open days first to see what they're like.

http://www.westking.ac.uk/coursetype/a-levels/
http://www.hackney.ac.uk/sixth-form-centre-under-19/
http://www.cic.ac/
http://www.cwc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx
Original post by Black Cat
Here are some of the college's in London it's your choice which one you will ultimately pick, but make sure you attend open days first to see what they're like.

http://www.westking.ac.uk/coursetype/a-levels/
http://www.hackney.ac.uk/sixth-form-centre-under-19/
http://www.cic.ac/
http://www.cwc.ac.uk/Pages/default.aspx

Thanks mate. you are a life saver :smile:
Original post by nembhard
I'm from Jamaica, but moving to Uk in july. i'm planning to go to school, but i have heard that there is two way to get into uni that is by btec or a level. First of all, i want to become a psychologist. i know a level will get me into uni for that, but will btech get into as well? what btec course i am suppose to do? i really want to become psychologist, but i dont know which path to go down. Can you please assist in which path is the best for me. i'm 18 turning 19 in august.


Given your ambitions I would recommend going for A-Levels, they're more academically recognised, whereas a BTEC is more recognized within the practical industry, such as IT, and Science, they focus on the less academical side and provide students with practical experience. Long story short, A-Levels will provide you with a wider range of choices for University, whereas a BTEC will just limit you to fewer universities.

You could always do a BTEC Level 3 in Media Production and perhaps land a place at London Metropolitan:rofl:
Original post by Binary Freak
Given your ambitions I would recommend going for A-Levels, they're more academically recognised, whereas a BTEC is more recognized within the practical industry, such as IT, and Science, they focus on the less academical side and provide students with practical experience. Long story short, A-Levels will provide you with a wider range of choices for University, whereas a BTEC will just limit you to fewer universities.

You could always do a BTEC Level 3 in Media Production and perhaps land a place at London Metropolitan:rofl:

Thanks. by the way, do there have any classes where i can improve my english?
Original post by nembhard
Thanks. by the way, do there have any classes where i can improve my english?


You can usually speak to the institution where you'll be doing your A-Levels and they might be able to arrange something so that you can improve your English.

Or you can just visit here they offer free tests which measures how well you understand English, my friend used it when he came to the UK, he's brilliant at English now, though he probably has a view books.
Original post by Binary Freak
You can usually speak to the institution where you'll be doing your A-Levels and they might be able to arrange something so that you can improve your English.

Or you can just visit here they offer free tests which measures how well you understand English, my friend used it when he came to the UK, he's brilliant at English now, though he probably has a view books.

my problem in engishis the grammer and spelling
Original post by nembhard
my problem in engishis the grammer and spelling


Ahh, I see.. Perhaps you should get a book, my friend recommended: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Usborne-Guide-Better-English-Punctuation/dp/0746058438
Original post by Binary Freak
Ahh, I see.. Perhaps you should get a book, my friend recommended: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Usborne-Guide-Better-English-Punctuation/dp/0746058438

Thanks mate :smile:
Can someone help me? Im doing a btech and i wasnt doing badly or anything i just stopped going to college and i have applied to sixth form next year to do a levels, its not that i found a btec hard infact they are easy its that i found it so uninteresting i did no work. Need to know if im mad for going to do a levels next year, its just i miss learning and havent learnt anything on my course would apreciate someone going on my page and giving me some feedback, thankyou:smile:
Original post by amyyyyy12345
Can someone help me? Im doing a btech and i wasnt doing badly or anything i just stopped going to college and i have applied to sixth form next year to do a levels, its not that i found a btec hard infact they are easy its that i found it so uninteresting i did no work. Need to know if im mad for going to do a levels next year, its just i miss learning and havent learnt anything on my course would apreciate someone going on my page and giving me some feedback, thankyou:smile:

I did a BTEC and then did alevels, it's not crazy at all. It does depend how you learn best though I actually preferred alevels because I am more academic and good at exams. BTECs are practical and purely c/w whereas alevels are theory based. It's hard because everyone's ability level is different but I would say for most people alevels are easily achievable if you are willing to put the work in. I actually found them less physical work than the BTEC just harder concepts to understand. I'm sure you'll manage good luck!
Original post by Georgie_M
I did a BTEC and then did alevels, it's not crazy at all. It does depend how you learn best though I actually preferred alevels because I am more academic and good at exams. BTECs are practical and purely c/w whereas alevels are theory based. It's hard because everyone's ability level is different but I would say for most people alevels are easily achievable if you are willing to put the work in. I actually found them less physical work than the BTEC just harder concepts to understand. I'm sure you'll manage good luck!


Thankyou so much!! Have not found one person who had gone from a btec to a levels, i feel exactly the same about it! I genuinly prefer exams more than coursework as it gives me a goal to achieve and forces me to work hard. I know if i take subjects i am passionate about i will do well, thankyou so much for the response!
Original post by amyyyyy12345
Thankyou so much!! Have not found one person who had gone from a btec to a levels, i feel exactly the same about it! I genuinly prefer exams more than coursework as it gives me a goal to achieve and forces me to work hard. I know if i take subjects i am passionate about i will do well, thankyou so much for the response!

Yeah people look down on BTECs and think that they are easy but they just require a different skill set, I did an early years btec and only got PPM which is viewed as a very easy course but I then did 3 alevels in a year and got AAA. Have you looked in to fast track alevels? I know you've already applied to sixth form but I did fast track alevels which was great for me because they are only a year and purely exam based, so could work for you too.
Original post by Georgie_M
Yeah people look down on BTECs and think that they are easy but they just require a different skill set, I did an early years btec and only got PPM which is viewed as a very easy course but I then did 3 alevels in a year and got AAA. Have you looked in to fast track alevels? I know you've already applied to sixth form but I did fast track alevels which was great for me because they are only a year and purely exam based, so could work for you too.


What do fasttrack a levels require? They sound good!! And your grades were amazing! But i have never heard of them before, do a lot of places offer them?
Original post by amyyyyy12345
What do fasttrack a levels require? They sound good!! And your grades were amazing! But i have never heard of them before, do a lot of places offer them?

I'm not sure, sixth form at schools usually don't but a couple of colleges in my area did (this was a few years ago) so I'd suggest having a look at your local college if you are interested. I decided to do them primarily to save time (1yr vs 2 when I had already done a 2yr btec was appealing). They have the same entry criteria as regular alevels and are worth the same ucas points but there is no AS year or coursework. You do exams in January which are mind of like your as but don't garner any ucas points then you do exams with everyone else at the end of the year. Because of the lack of coursework as far as I can tell they were much easier for me than regular alevels.
Original post by Georgie_M
I'm not sure, sixth form at schools usually don't but a couple of colleges in my area did (this was a few years ago) so I'd suggest having a look at your local college if you are interested. I decided to do them primarily to save time (1yr vs 2 when I had already done a 2yr btec was appealing). They have the same entry criteria as regular alevels and are worth the same ucas points but there is no AS year or coursework. You do exams in January which are mind of like your as but don't garner any ucas points then you do exams with everyone else at the end of the year. Because of the lack of coursework as far as I can tell they were much easier for me than regular alevels.


i wasn't sure whether you were talking about a levels or btech, but there aren't any january exams anymore sadly :frown:
Don't do a btec whatever you do!!!


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