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BTecs: What are they and how are they graded? BTecs: What are they and how are they graded?
(about 1 hour later)
Hundreds of thousands of students will soon know what grades they achieved in their BTecs.Hundreds of thousands of students will soon know what grades they achieved in their BTecs.
Results day is here for lots of students, but some BTec results have already been published, depending on the course.Results day is here for lots of students, but some BTec results have already been published, depending on the course.
The final BTec national results, which combine all unit grades, are often released at the same time as A-level results day - which this year is Thursday 14 August.The final BTec national results, which combine all unit grades, are often released at the same time as A-level results day - which this year is Thursday 14 August.
A-level results: follow live
What are BTec Firsts and BTec Nationals?What are BTec Firsts and BTec Nationals?
A BTec, which stands for the Business and Technology Education Council, is a practical qualification. Courses are assessed through exams, regular coursework and projects, and sometimes placements.A BTec, which stands for the Business and Technology Education Council, is a practical qualification. Courses are assessed through exams, regular coursework and projects, and sometimes placements.
BTec Firsts are Level 2 qualifications, meaning they are equivalent to GCSEs. Students often take a mixture of the two. They can be helpful for people trying to get into further education colleges.BTec Firsts are Level 2 qualifications, meaning they are equivalent to GCSEs. Students often take a mixture of the two. They can be helpful for people trying to get into further education colleges.
BTec Nationals are Level 3 qualifications, so can be taken alongside or instead of A-levels.BTec Nationals are Level 3 qualifications, so can be taken alongside or instead of A-levels.
They are studied over one or two years.They are studied over one or two years.
Research suggests one in four students use them as a route into university, while others gain occupation-specific skills and go straight into employment.Research suggests one in four students use them as a route into university, while others gain occupation-specific skills and go straight into employment.
How are BTecs graded?How are BTecs graded?
BTecs are graded on a scale:BTecs are graded on a scale:
Starred Distinction/Distinction Star (D*)Starred Distinction/Distinction Star (D*)
Distinction (D)Distinction (D)
Merit (M)Merit (M)
Pass (P)Pass (P)
Some BTecs are worth two or three A-levels.Some BTecs are worth two or three A-levels.
Students normally receive their results on the same days as A-level and GCSE students, but some receive them before this.Students normally receive their results on the same days as A-level and GCSE students, but some receive them before this.
Who takes BTecs?Who takes BTecs?
There are approximately 280,000 students studying at least one Level 3 applied general qualification, according to the Sixth Form College Association.There are approximately 280,000 students studying at least one Level 3 applied general qualification, according to the Sixth Form College Association.
A further 200,000 are estimated to be doing BTec Firsts and other BTec qualifications.A further 200,000 are estimated to be doing BTec Firsts and other BTec qualifications.
Health and social care and applied science are among the most popular BTecs. Other subjects include construction, electrical engineering and art and design.Health and social care and applied science are among the most popular BTecs. Other subjects include construction, electrical engineering and art and design.
BTec Nationals can be sat by any age group. In fact, most are taken by those over the age of 22 as they develop practical career skills.BTec Nationals can be sat by any age group. In fact, most are taken by those over the age of 22 as they develop practical career skills.
They are particularly popular among white working class students, according to research by the Social Market Foundation think tank.They are particularly popular among white working class students, according to research by the Social Market Foundation think tank.
Other vocational courses are available in the UK, including National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).Other vocational courses are available in the UK, including National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs), TechBacs, Cambridge Technicals and Scottish Vocational Qualifications (SVQs).
BTec results normally come out on the same days as A-level and GCSE resultsBTec results normally come out on the same days as A-level and GCSE results
How are BTecs changing?How are BTecs changing?
In 2020, there were more than 12,000 vocational qualifications at all levels, offered by more than 150 awarding bodies, according to Ofqual, which oversees qualifications in England.In 2020, there were more than 12,000 vocational qualifications at all levels, offered by more than 150 awarding bodies, according to Ofqual, which oversees qualifications in England.
Plans by former Conservative governments to streamline post-16 education had meant many BTecs and other Level 3 courses were due to lose their funding, to make way for T-levels.Plans by former Conservative governments to streamline post-16 education had meant many BTecs and other Level 3 courses were due to lose their funding, to make way for T-levels.
However, the Labour government paused and reviewed the plans, and has since announced that 157 qualifications will no longer be scrapped as planned.However, the Labour government paused and reviewed the plans, and has since announced that 157 qualifications will no longer be scrapped as planned.
They include "key courses" in "important sectors", the DfE said, such as agriculture, engineering, manufacturing and health and social care.They include "key courses" in "important sectors", the DfE said, such as agriculture, engineering, manufacturing and health and social care.
Some have had funding confirmed until July 2026 and others until July 2027.Some have had funding confirmed until July 2026 and others until July 2027.
The government also confirmed that more than 200 qualifications with "with low or no enrolments" would still have funding withdrawn from 1 August 2025.The government also confirmed that more than 200 qualifications with "with low or no enrolments" would still have funding withdrawn from 1 August 2025.
Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders' union NAHT, said that "for A-levels and T-levels to be the only two qualification pathways post-16 would have failed to meet the needs and ambitions of many students".Sarah Hannafin, head of policy at school leaders' union NAHT, said that "for A-levels and T-levels to be the only two qualification pathways post-16 would have failed to meet the needs and ambitions of many students".
The government has confirmed the rollout of T-levels will continue.The government has confirmed the rollout of T-levels will continue.
In the first three years, T-levels have faced delays, high dropout rates and an exam board being fined £300,000 over "major failings" with the papers.In the first three years, T-levels have faced delays, high dropout rates and an exam board being fined £300,000 over "major failings" with the papers.
What are T-levels and what are the grades worth?What are T-levels and what are the grades worth?
What is an apprenticeship and how much are apprentices paid?What is an apprenticeship and how much are apprentices paid?