The Student Room Group

Should btecs be accepted for every university

i was speaking to some of my mates about this and they think btecs should be accepted for entry requirements for every university
They felt very strongly about this as they want to go to a certain uni but cant as they dont accept btecs
Anyone got thoughts on this issue ?
No as some may suggest that btecs dont put you in the best position to start studying a certain course at uni
Like seanbruce above I think universities are the best judges of which qualifications and grades are required of potential students. BTEC is excellent preparation for certain subjects and the coursework element can develop skills that will be required on many courses. An increased use of exam based assessments helps to ensure current BTEC students are better prepared for university exams (which was sometimes an issue in the past). BUT If a university/department does not think BTEC is adequate preparation for study on their courses then they are not and should not be forced to accept it.
Original post by gdunne42
Like seanbruce above I think universities are the best judges of which qualifications and grades are required of potential students. BTEC is excellent preparation for certain subjects and the coursework element can develop skills that will be required on many courses. An increased use of exam based assessments helps to ensure current BTEC students are better prepared for university exams (which was sometimes an issue in the past). BUT If a university/department does not think BTEC is adequate preparation for study on their courses then they are not and should not be forced to accept it.


I understand the two above answers. But if that is the case. Then this should be informed and continuously relayed to people beginning a BTEC. Being a BTEC student myself I faced this issue and I understand it now. But if I had known what would bevwaiting on the other side I may have chosen the A-Level equivalent.
Original post by KevDaKoala
I understand the two above answers. But if that is the case. Then this should be informed and continuously relayed to people beginning a BTEC. Being a BTEC student myself I faced this issue and I understand it now. But if I had known what would bevwaiting on the other side I may have chosen the A-Level equivalent.


Completely agree that students making sixth form or college decisions should be better informed about the range of options available and the potential implications of choices that they make. BTEC or BTEC in combination with one or two A levels is the best route for many students but as with all things in life, the choices we make open some doors and close others.
Original post by steve98
i was speaking to some of my mates about this and they think btecs should be accepted for entry requirements for every university
They felt very strongly about this as they want to go to a certain uni but cant as they dont accept btecs
Anyone got thoughts on this issue ?


Which course though?
Reply 6
Original post by gdunne42
Like seanbruce above I think universities are the best judges of which qualifications and grades are required of potential students. BTEC is excellent preparation for certain subjects and the coursework element can develop skills that will be required on many courses. An increased use of exam based assessments helps to ensure current BTEC students are better prepared for university exams (which was sometimes an issue in the past). BUT If a university/department does not think BTEC is adequate preparation for study on their courses then they are not and should not be forced to accept it.


yeah i do agree with you as btecs heavily rely on coursework dont they ? my mates thought when they initally took those btecs they could apply to the university and courses they wanted so they are having to rethink their options
Reply 7
Original post by KevDaKoala
I understand the two above answers. But if that is the case. Then this should be informed and continuously relayed to people beginning a BTEC. Being a BTEC student myself I faced this issue and I understand it now. But if I had known what would bevwaiting on the other side I may have chosen the A-Level equivalent.


Original post by gdunne42
Completely agree that students making sixth form or college decisions should be better informed about the range of options available and the potential implications of choices that they make. BTEC or BTEC in combination with one or two A levels is the best route for many students but as with all things in life, the choices we make open some doors and close others.


yeah i think that was there problem as if they had known themat rhey couldnt apply to the course they wanted at the uni they wanted i very much doubt they wouldve decided to do btecs
they seemed prietty guttered as they probably wouldve chose A level equivalent had they known but its obviously to late now unless they retake the year but they are archieving grades of As at btec level so
Reply 8
Original post by _gcx
Which course though?


One want to study law and the other wants to study history
Original post by steve98
One want to study law and the other wants to study history


Do there even exist BTECs suited to those degrees? BTECs are intended to be more vocational, and those are pretty traditional academic degrees.
Reply 10
Original post by _gcx
Do there even exist BTECs suited to those degrees? BTECs are intended to be more vocational, and those are pretty traditional academic degrees.


Im not to sure but they took those btec courses they did at 6th form as they found them intresting ect
but they didnt realise at the time of choosing those btecs that they wouldnt be able to apply to do those courses
Original post by steve98
yeah i do agree with you as btecs heavily rely on coursework dont they ? my mates thought when they initally took those btecs they could apply to the university and courses they wanted so they are having to rethink their options


From what I've seen of current BTEC they use a mix of exams and coursework for assessment and the exam element, at least for some subjects, is fairly substantial. To get top grades you have to do well with both. Interestingly many university courses are modular in their assessments and while grades are dependent on exam success they also use a mix of graded assignments that include coursework, essays etc and 3rd year dissertations. The skills they have developed in completing their BTEC will prove valuable.
It's up to universities. If they feel that any level 3 qualification is a good enough foundation to study that course they'll accept it. If they feel it's not enough they won't accept or will have extra requirements to compensate
Original post by steve98
yeah i think that was there problem as if they had known themat rhey couldnt apply to the course they wanted at the uni they wanted i very much doubt they wouldve decided to do btecs
they seemed prietty guttered as they probably wouldve chose A level equivalent had they known but its obviously to late now unless they retake the year but they are archieving grades of As at btec level so


I did a BTEC Sport with anatomy and physiology. And I can get into unis such as lincoln as it is seen as 120 ucas (A*A*A) but cannot get into uni’s like Loughborough which personally I feel I could handle but can’t because of the BTEC. Like I said I should have been informed by my sixth form Better.
I see their point of view, but BTEC courses require lower GCSE results so if you want to go to a Russel Group etc then maybe work hard and get the GCSE grades to do A Levels, or think about your choices earlier.
Reply 15
Original post by KevDaKoala
I did a BTEC Sport with anatomy and physiology. And I can get into unis such as lincoln as it is seen as 120 ucas (A*A*A) but cannot get into uni’s like Loughborough which personally I feel I could handle but can’t because of the BTEC. Like I said I should have been informed by my sixth form Better.

Bath accept BTEC Sport and they're ranked second in the UK for it
Reply 16
Pretty much every uni does accept BTEC for at least 1 subject, the only one that doesn't is Imperial College.

Even Oxford and Cambridge accept BTEC for subjects like Engineering, Art and Computer Science.

I think BTEC is excellent, but I agree it should not be accepted for every subject. If someone wants to study History at uni then they should know they need to take History A level to meet the prerequisites, BTECs are only offered as vocational subjects so really you should only be going to uni to study something in the area that your BTEC is in, unless you take a foundation year.

Most unis will accept BTEC for subjects like: Business, Engineering, Computer Science/IT, Media, Nursing/Health Sciences and most Science degrees accept the Applied Science BTEC however some will ask for certain units to be taken (e.g. at least 6 Biology related modules if applying for a BSc Biology degree) which is fair enough. And a lot of units bow accept the Applied Law BTEC for entry onto an LLB.

BTECs are great if you know you want to go into a certain area after leaving school and probably provide better preparation than taking potentially 2 A levels unrelated to the degree you end up doing (for those who take 3 A levels).

I did an IT/Computing BTEC and have just started my MSc at a top 10 uni and some of the content in my MSc modules I previously did on my BTEC 5/6 years ago, which works out great for me as I have specialised in the field since I was 16 and not changed my route, for those who do change their mind it can be quite difficult as generally have to attempt to get into something that they're not qualified for and then if successful catch up to get to the level their need should have already been at.

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