The BTEC brand is owned by Pearson; they are the only body which can award BTECs. Take a look at the BTEC Nationals section of the Pearson web site,
here, and tell me if you can see Criminology mentioned somewhere. (It's easier if you click the Expand All link.)
Colleges often misrepresent Criminology as a BTEC. I'm not sure why, but I suspect it's because everyone has heard of BTECs, but few have heard of WJEC Applied Diplomas. So they (incorrectly) using the term BTEC to mean vocational qualification in general. Universities are not so casual with their terminology.
As with all generalisations, this doesn't apply to
all universities, but
grades are what will make your applicant stand out. If you can get grade M up to a grade D, or a grade D up to a grade D*, then that will have more impact on the likelihood of an offer than a few MOOCs or some work experience. What many universities say on open days is they often only look at other aspects of your application (like the personal statement or reference) if your grades match those of other candidates and they're trying to decide between you. If you can
exceed the grades of other candidates, then they might not even read your personal statement.
You're doing BTEC Extended Certificates in Applied Science and Engineering, and a WJEC Applied Diploma in Criminology. This doesn't make you the ideal candidate for Aerospace Engineering, as they'll often ideally want A levels in Maths / Physics or a BTEC Extended Diploma (worth three A levels) in an Engineering discipline.
I think your best bet is to add a Foundation Year to the start of your degree. For
example:
• Aerospace Engineering BEng (Hons) with integrated foundation year at
University of Brighton: "BTEC MMM/MMP" (no subjects specified) -
details• BEng (Hons) Aerospace Engineering (with Foundation Year) at
University of the West of England (UWE Bristol): "Tariff points: 80 | EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: No specific subjects required." -
details• BEng (Honours) Aerospace Engineering with Foundation Year at
Sheffield Hallam University: "UCAS points 80 | MMP in BTEC Extended Diploma | A combination of qualifications" -
detailsYou're a little vague on what grades you got for the the important GCSE (English, Maths, Science) - so do check that you meet any GCSE requirements too.
(An alternative would be to drop-out of sixth form and re-join year 12 next September doing the subjects / qualifications you now realise you should have chosen. However, I suspect that this option will have less appeal. Actually, you say, "I think there's no point in me switching any of my subjects now". Is that an option? If it is, I wouldn't dismiss it so casually.)