A Levels or BTEC - are they really equal?

t-elle

BTECs are designed as a vocational qualification that can lead to a University degree or straight into employment. If you have a BTEC National Diploma, which is level 3 and equivalent to three A levels, then there is no reason you can't go to Uni and very respectable ones at that. Most of the Universities that offer work placement courses appreciate the practical side of the BTEC. As with A levels you are not necessarily "stuck" applying for just that subject, although it does help when writing a convincing personal statement.

studentphil

What about doing a BTEC and an A level as well?

I know many people do that and it just gives you that best of both worlds and that bit more movement if you think at the end the area you did your BTEC in is not for you.

t-elle

Hi studentphil, If your college timetable allows that would be great, and good on them for being dedicated students!

studentphil

t-elle wrote:

Hi studentphil, If your college timetable allows that would be great, and good on them for being dedicated students!

Really you should be an extra A level with a BTEC as if you are are doing AS levels then you do 4 anyway, so maybe just the three A level worth of BTEC is letting you down!

crazy_guy

lazymoezy wrote:

Oh, so its the level 1, I think its called, not bad but what do you mean by the 3 alevels? His BTEC will finish in the first year so he will carry on with the a levels?

I've been told that the BTEC will last 2 years, the same length as the A Level Course. He's also chosen to go for 3 A Levels ( law, history and english language i've been informed) so he is committed with doing the 3 alevels and btec for the 2 years.

crazy_guy

studentphil wrote:

Really you should be an extra A level with a BTEC as if you are are doing AS levels then you do 4 anyway, so maybe just the three A level worth of BTEC is letting you down!

I'd disagree - i did 4 AS levels and then dropped down to 3 in my second year, the university only considered my full A Levels - thus a BTEC worth 3 A Levels is in theory equivalent and certaintly not letting the person down

t-elle

studentphil wrote:

Really you should be an extra A level with a BTEC as if you are are doing AS levels then you do 4 anyway, so maybe just the three A level worth of BTEC is letting you down!

Three A level worth can't let you down as that will get you into Uni and employers know you have practical knowledge if you choose to go out to work instead possibly into an apprenticeship. I agree that A levels would be better if you don't know what exactly what you want to do with your life; not that many do at 16 why should you?

studentphil

I think it is letting you down as you dont have the choice of doing 4 A levels worthof stuff with the BTEC and some people choose to do 4 A Levels to give them that edge.

crazy_guy

studentphil wrote:

I think it is letting you down as you dont have the choice of doing 4 A levels worthof stuff with the BTEC and some people choose to do 4 A Levels to give them that edge.

The only reason people would do 4 A Levels is to push their ucas points up to get in somewhere, personally i'm glad i went down to 3 A Levels so that i could put real effort in all of them and thus achieving 3 'A' A Levels rather than 4 mediocre grades.

studentphil

crazy_guy wrote:

The only reason people would do 4 A Levels is to push their ucas points up to get in somewhere, personally i'm glad i went down to 3 A Levels so that i could put real effort in all of them and thus achieving 3 'A' A Levels rather than 4 mediocre grades.

I am just pointing out that 4 A levels maybe another choice and some people feel they need that!