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IT for sixth form

If I want to do Cybersecurity in university or for a degree apprenticeship, how beneficial will IT as an BTEC be?
Because I'd have to go to a sixth form I don't necessarily like, so is it worth doing the subject or not?
Original post by rtyhhrt
If I want to do Cybersecurity in university or for a degree apprenticeship, how beneficial will IT as an BTEC be?
Because I'd have to go to a sixth form I don't necessarily like, so is it worth doing the subject or not?

What would be the alternative? For Cybersecurity the "better" universities will require A level Maths. Would you be taking that alongside your BTEC in IT?

Also, is the BTEC an Extended Diploma (worth three A levels) or an Extended Certificate (worth one A level). If the latter, what else would you be studying?

Reply 2

Original post by DataVenia
What would be the alternative? For Cybersecurity the "better" universities will require A level Maths. Would you be taking that alongside your BTEC in IT?
Also, is the BTEC an Extended Diploma (worth three A levels) or an Extended Certificate (worth one A level). If the latter, what else would you be studying?


i would be studying maths business and btec IT(worth 1 a level) or if i don’t choose IT i’ll be doing chemistry
Original post by rtyhhrt
i would be studying maths business and btec IT(worth 1 a level) or if i don’t choose IT i’ll be doing chemistry

Well, as nonsensical as it seems, I'd go with Chemistry over a BTEC Extended Certificate in IT. That's simply because it's an A level, meaning it'll be easier to establish what the grade requirements for each uni are. Although many of them will accept a mix of BTECs and A levels, they don't always make it easy to work out which combinations they'll accept, in what grades they'll expect to see. So you find yourself exchanging a lot of emails with admissions teams.

That's in the assumption that you're equally capable in Chemistry as IT. If you think you'd perform better in an IT BTEC, then do that - just for the better grade.

Reply 4

Original post by DataVenia
Well, as nonsensical as it seems, I'd go with Chemistry over a BTEC Extended Certificate in IT. That's simply because it's an A level, meaning it'll be easier to establish what the grade requirements for each uni are. Although many of them will accept a mix of BTECs and A levels, they don't always make it easy to work out which combinations they'll accept, in what grades they'll expect to see. So you find yourself exchanging a lot of emails with admissions teams.
That's in the assumption that you're equally capable in Chemistry as IT. If you think you'd perform better in an IT BTEC, then do that - just for the better grade.


i’ve never studied IT so maybe i’d do better on chemistry
Original post by rtyhhrt
i’ve never studied IT so maybe i’d do better on chemistry

Fair enough. Are you any good at Chemistry? It can be brutal at A level if you're not.

Do you do any IT / Computer Science / Cybersecurity things outside school, perhaps as a hobby? That would help you gain some exposure to this world and would help with things to put on your Personal Statement (when the time comes).

Reply 6

Original post by DataVenia
Fair enough. Are you any good at Chemistry? It can be brutal at A level if you're not.
Do you do any IT / Computer Science / Cybersecurity things outside school, perhaps as a hobby? That would help you gain some exposure to this world and would help with things to put on your Personal Statement (when the time comes).


i’m decent at chemistry and i do have a passion for IT but i don’t really want to join a new school to do it
i do computer science
Original post by rtyhhrt
i’m decent at chemistry and i do have a passion for IT but i don’t really want to join a new school to do it
i do computer science

OK. So Chemistry it is. :smile:

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