Official BTEC Discussion - Share Your Thoughts On BTECs

Thanks for contributing

You've raised some interesting points here and I can see where you are coming from. Do you think a lot of people who take BTECs do so because they are not academic themselves, or because they think it is the easier option?

Ah okay I'd say I was probably an exception but I don't have the option of taking any A-levels with the BTEC.

BTECs and A levels should not really be compared. The two qualifications serve two different kinds of people and do what they need to do, either provide practical experience for a subsequent job or preparation for a university degree. I think some people feel threatened now that since some high ranking universities are now considering applicants with BTECs or a combination of a BTEC and A levels; hence the constant comparison and circle jerk between students to keep on reminding themselves that A levels are more "academically rigorous".

I seriously cannot comprehend how anyone thinks doing BTEC is as challenging as doing A levels. There's a reason why the only two truly elite universities in the UK, Oxford and Cambridge, don't accept them as suitable for the harder academic courses. If you plan to study a vocational subject, then, by all means, do BTEC, but if you want to do a rigorous and tough academic course, do A levels.

TL;DR A levels are harder than BTECs, but that doesn't mean all students are more suited to doing a levels.

Thanks for posting

You look at BTECs as not being as challenging but only academically. Don't you think BTECs can be challenging in other ways that teaches you alternative skills?

Absolutely. It was designed for students who either aren't interested or good at academic subjects and want to pursue a more vocational career. There's nothing wrong with doing a BTEC, it's just easier than a levels, and you don't need to do anywhere near as much work to get the top grades.

I seriously cannot comprehend how anyone thinks doing BTEC is as challenging as doing A levels. There's a reason why the only two truly elite universities in the UK, Oxford and Cambridge, don't accept them as suitable for the harder academic courses. If you plan to study a vocational subject, then, by all means, do BTEC, but if you want to do a rigorous and tough academic course, do A levels.

TL;DR A levels are harder than BTECs, but that doesn't mean all students are more suited to doing a levels.

BTEC Nationals

BTEC Nationals include qualifications equivalent to A-levels, so students studying these qualifications would be welcome to apply. A D grade (distinction) in a BTEC National would be considered equivalent to an A at A-level, and a D* in a BTEC National would be considered equivalent to an A* at A-level.
Conditional offers would usually be:

There are a few threads popping up saying A-levels should be the only option. What does everyone think?

Thanks for sharing - do you think it's right that unis accept them for courses they offer?

It's not up to me to decide if it is right or not. If universities feel that BTECs are good enough preparation for their courses, then who am I to disagree with their judgement? Although I do think it is ultimately a good thing.

Ah - I was only asking because I was curious what you thought

Well, as I said I do think it is a good thing. Even though I never did a BTEC, I do prefer more practical based learning.