Applied science extended diploma or Double diploma

Hi, I wanted to enquire as am confused with something. I have applied to Oldham Sixth Form and Rochadale Sixth Form College. The idea was to do alevels but I got a 4-4 in Science as I came late in year 11 that's the least I could do.
I switched to doing a btec in applied Science .
In oldham they offered the extended diploma worth 3 alevels.
In rochdale I was offered a diploma in applied science worth 2 alevels and I was going to do an extra alevel which is psychology [I could not switch for any other alevel that's what they offered].
The advantage in oldham sixth form is that I could do extra curriculars such as EPQ and Duke of Edinburgh .
However in Rochdale Sixth form College I couldn't do the EPQ as am not doing 3 alevels, if I was to pick the Duke of Edinburgh then I cannot pick other extra curriculars.
In future am not sure yet on what I do but i could do radiography or radiology.

Please advice on which course to pick in which college, any advice would be appreciated

Many thanks.

Reply 1

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by decisive-lacquer

Hi, I wanted to enquire as am confused with something. I have applied to Oldham Sixth Form and Rochadale Sixth Form College. The idea was to do alevels but I got a 4-4 in Science as I came late in year 11 that's the least I could do.
I switched to doing a btec in applied Science .
In oldham they offered the extended diploma worth 3 alevels.
In rochdale I was offered a diploma in applied science worth 2 alevels and I was going to do an extra alevel which is psychology [I could not switch for any other alevel that's what they offered].
The advantage in oldham sixth form is that I could do extra curriculars such as EPQ and Duke of Edinburgh .
However in Rochdale Sixth form College I couldn't do the EPQ as am not doing 3 alevels, if I was to pick the Duke of Edinburgh then I cannot pick other extra curriculars.
In future am not sure yet on what I do but i could do radiography or radiology.
Please advice on which course to pick in which college, any advice would be appreciated
Many thanks.

I'm throwing a spanner in the works:

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If you intend to go and do a life science degree, most unis accept BTEC Extended diplomas (worth 3 A Levels) as opposed to a BTEC diploma (worth 2 A Levels)

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Even then, some would require you to have A Level Chemistry or Biology (depending on the individual degree) on top.

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Some unis would require specific GCSE grades in science for their degrees - so do you want to resit your GCSE science?

I suggest you look at the entry requirements of the individual degree that you want to do before deciding.
I would also check the job profile of the specific career that you want (for the job requirements) to do before deciding on what to do.

If you want guidance on the above, I would need to know:

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What specific job you want

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Which specific degree courses you want to apply for

•

Whether you are currently 17 or are you 16

Reply 2

decisive-lacquer

Hi thank you for the reply.
I would like to study radiology or radiography I could also go to pharmacy [still keeping my options open]
Iam 16 years old

Reply 3

MindMax2000

Universities Forum Helper

Original post by decisive-lacquer

Hi thank you for the reply.
I would like to study radiology or radiography I could also go to pharmacy [still keeping my options open]
Iam 16 years old

Radiology require you to study medicine and specialise in radiology. None I think accept BTECs. Your choice is typically A Levels (Biology and Chemistry) or IB (with biology and chemistry specialisms ideally).

Radiography can be done with a BTEC in applied science

There are only a handful of universities that accept BTEC by itself for pharmacy degrees. Some can ask you to have Chemistry A Level on top in your application.

The BTEC should be an extended diploma (worth 3 A Levels), and it needs to specifically be in Applied Science (any other subject and you would be rejected).

If I was in your position, I would resit the GCSE sciences and then reapply for 6th form to do A Levels in Biology and Chemistry. If you do this, you only get one or two chances (more likely 1 because if unis see multiple resits for GCSEs they might question your ability to do the more intensive courses like medicine and pharmacy), as if you don't get into 6th form by next September (not next month) you might not be able to sit A Levels at a regular 6th form college.
If you don't get into 6th form to do the relevant A Levels, it's not exactly the end of the world but your options would be significantly more limited and more expensive than they need to be.

Reply 4

decisive-lacquer

Thank you for the clarification I really appreciate it. I worked really hard for my grades in science and resitting is not part of the plan. However I just wanted to enquire whether which option considering the ones i have now, would give me more choice in the future either the extended diploma or the double with psychology.