BTEC Health Studies or A Levels for Nursing?

I don't think you will get into a 'repected' University with a BTEC, although it depends on your definition of 'respected'.

Studying Biology and Chemistry would help.

That's what I was getting at really. No offence, but BTEC students generally are just limited to the ex-polytechnic universities, however, without Biology at A Level, would I be able to go to an ex-polytecnic and study Nursing? Or would I need Biology regardless?

I don't wish to contradict this, but I had an offer from Bath Spa for my BTEC. Just to show there is SOME hope.

Not saying it's impossible, it's just that BTEC students are at quite a big disadvantage at a higher up the league tables university due to A Level bias.

Oh yeah, I understand that. I was just letting the OP know that some 'good' unis accept the BTEC. Although you have to work damn hard to get in - My offer from Bath was DDDd

So, in theory, you have to work harder at BTEC than at A Level to get into a university? As I'm guessing most universities that accept BTECs are looking for a minimum of MMM, or DMM? While you could probably get into a universitry with something like DDE, or DDD at A Level.

Yeah, I'd say so. I'd also say, having experiences both, that the BTEC is harder work generally. Balancing what you're learning in theory into practise, along with the three assignments for each of your 18 units (54 pieces of coursework on average - Some units ask for 4 pieces of coursework though) can be a real struggle sometimes.

54 pieces of coursework? Wow, sounds tough going, lol. So, how does the requirments of the BTEC coursework pieces compare to requirments of A Level? So, over the 2 years of 3 A Levels, how many pieces of coursework would you expect to be doing? Baring in mind exams, I'm assuming less?

It has been described to me that with BTEC, you work your arse off consistantly all your round, and with A Levels you can be quite laid back the first three quaters of the year, and then on the run up to the exams, work your ass off and come out with a decent grade?

The only marking sheet I could find was for my Independent Research Project, which was slightly different because it was ongoing throughout the year. Nevertheless, it's split into 3 sections (as most units would be) and gives you an idea of the level of work and the amount needed. The amount was about the same, no matter what the uni (Mostly Passes, Some merits, a few distinctions)

This particular unit was spread over a year. Most were done in a term, and all but this were done in, at most, two terms.

.. Except the files are too large!!

TO TINYPIC!!!

I get the impression that BTEC's really are for people who know what career they want and generally know where they want to be, as BTECs are obviously the same subject for 2 years. I've been considering doing a BTEC, but I'm not 100% sure what I want to do and I feel that there is so much coursework, and you have to be really detailed in order to achieve the higher grades that I could end up giving up. It really does look heavy going.

It is heavy going, but it's also extremely well supported. Most colleges offer a good counselling service to help you through the coursework (ie teachers will sit with you and explain what each of the criteria is asking for), and most colleges also offer a resubmission process - You submit the coursework, and get a feedback sheet with any improvements to be made, then get one more shot at achieving your grades. So if you don't get it first time, you've got a second chance.

I feel they are highly respected in the areas they teach, particularly with the vocational aspect. I think a student with BTEC is more likely to get into childcare than a student with A-Levels, you know?