Is it true that BTEC’s struggle at university?

I’m doing an BTEC applied science (consists of coursework & exams).

I want to study pharmacy at university.

I’ve heard that BTEC’s students are more likely to fail at university.

Is this true?

Reply 1

Compost

19

https://www.thegryphon.co.uk/2020/02/17/drop-out-rates-higher-for-minority-students/ says that at Leeds those with solely BTEC qualifications were 5 times more likely to drop out than those with A levels.

https://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2017/nov/29/students-with-btecs-do-worse-at-university-heres-how-we-close-the-gap says BTEC students were more than twice as likely to drop out.

OP

OP

The second was published in 2017 by then there was only courseworks that were BTEC’s.

Reply 4

Compost

19

Original post by Catttttt

That is all anecdotal, whereas the links I have posted have been based on quantitative data. However, this does not mean that an individual person may not conform to the overall trend.

(edited 2 years ago)

Reply 5

AuroraAustralis

18

From your threads I see you’re probably looking to go with btec over a levels? Correct?

Reply 6

Catttttt

OP

15

Would it be impossible to do well at university? Because I think for each course is different. I mean why would BTEC’s be created if it didn’t give access to people to go to universities.

Reply 7

username4910484

21

Original post by Catttttt

Would it be impossible to do well at university? Because I think for each course is different. I mean why would BTEC’s be created if it didn’t give access to people to go to universities.

Please don't feel disheartened by these statistics.
Statistics are useful when thinking about groups of people.

However they can't really tell us anything about individual people. They don't factor you in.

Reply 8

Catttttt

OP

15

COVID did really mess up things for me. As I wanted to study A-levels. But didn’t managed to get the grades my sixth forms wanted. So, they told me how BTEC’s applied science students are accepted in university. As I took their advice. But it seems that they were wrong.

Reply 9

Mara1680

18

Original post by Catttttt

I’m doing an BTEC applied science (consists of coursework & exams).

I want to study pharmacy at university.

I’ve heard that BTEC’s students are more likely to fail at university.

Is this true?

Statistically it's true as far as I know.

This isn't to say that's because BTEC students are less academically inclined. I think it's likely because A-level students have a smoother transition.

A-levels are all about revision and exams. BTEC are all about research, coursework, practical stuff.

Uni is a mix of both but you're more likely to fail because you don't know how to study efficiently and fail a couple exams, than you are because you totally flunked some coursework, even if it's worth a chunky bit of your grade.

I wouldn't worry about it. If you're a person who already has an idea about how to revise and answer exam questions, you'll be fine. If not, you have 2 years to learn.

Reply 10

Catttttt

OP

15

Oh, I see. I’m doing exams in my course. So, I’m doing biology, chemistry, & physics exams.

Reply 11

Ketchup007

13

Original post by Catttttt

I’m doing an BTEC applied science (consists of coursework & exams).

I want to study pharmacy at university.

I’ve heard that BTEC’s students are more likely to fail at university.

Is this true?

If you have a negative mindset then that's on you but ik many btec students who are on to master degrees now in engineering, law, marketing and pharmacy(haven't spoke to the pharmacy guy in a few weeks guess I'll consider him a friend but I believe his going to do uni he got a 2.1 which is good.) So all depends on you. Tbh I get your post I'm nervous as well I'm a btec student but I guess I'm use to coursework and exams as that was embedded on my course again depends on you. I typically don't look at stats due to how negative in nature they are but my brother did a btec he said at uni lots of a level people dropped out(this was 2019) all depends on dedication

Reply 12

Ketchup007

13

Original post by Catttttt

COVID did really mess up things for me. As I wanted to study A-levels. But didn’t managed to get the grades my sixth forms wanted. So, they told me how BTEC’s applied science students are accepted in university. As I took their advice. But it seems that they were wrong.

How are they wrong?

Reply 13

Catttttt

OP

15

I have 4 units that are coursework & 2 units that are exams

Reply 14

Catttttt

OP

15

Wrong as in they didn’t tell me how limiting BTECs are. I didn’t know about these kind of qualifications. My school weren’t very well in explaining about the different qualifications. Basically I’m in the first in my family to go to university in this country.