BTEC Level 3 Nationals

An update

Michael Hewens

Business Manager – BTEC 21 November 2012

Qualifications & Credit Framework

Size

Level

ENTRY

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

1 – 12 credits 13 – 36 credits Above 36 credits

Level AWARD DIPLOMACERTIFICATE

The qualifications are made up of units, and each unit is allocated ‘credits’ and Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

5 credit units have 30 GLH; 10 credit units have 60 GLH

Each QCF BTEC qualification is sized in terms of the number of credits (not units, as in the NQF)

Credit is based on Learning Time; supervised and independent study

QCF Design Principles

GLH (Guided Learning Hours) will continue to be used for planning and funding purposes

QCF BTECs

The new BTEC qualifications have been extended

Titles on the QCF have changed, due to the QCF rules

BTEC Level 3 Nationals

QCF Revised BTEC L3 Nationals Titles with Equivalences

Level 3 BTEC National Diploma

18 units (1080 GLH)= 3 A Levels

Level 3 BTEC National Certificate

12 units (720 GLH)= 2 A Levels

Level 3 BTEC National Award

6 units (360 GLH)= 1 A Level

Level 3 BTEC Nationals (NQF)

BTEC Level 3 Nationals (QCF)

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

180 credits (1080 GLH)= 3 A Levels

BTEC Level 3 Diploma

120 credits (720 GLH)= 2 A Levels

BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma

60 credits (360 GLH)= 1 A Level

BTEC Level 3 Certificate

30 credits (180 GLH)= 1 AS Level

BTEC benchmarks

BTEC QCF

National Occupational Standards

Continues funding is ensured by accreditation

onto the QCF

On Performance Tables (SCAAT points)

BTEC L2 Firsts equivalent to GCSEs (A*-C)

BTEC L3 Nationals equivalent to A Levels

BTEC L3 National on the UCAS Tariff

Drivers for L3 redevelopment

• Progression from NG BTEC Firsts

• First-mover advantage re:

o UCAS QIR consultation

o New KS5 performance tables

o Improve clarity of assessment criteria

o HE asking for A levels alongside

o Increase core - what a learner has actually covered

What employers/HE want

• Strong consensus in response from employers and HE

• Want a large core (c.50%) so they know what a BTEC learner has studied/experienced

• All want learners to have covered the basics (e.g. maths in engineering)

• All want development of employability skills: self-management, responsibility, literacy and numeracy skills

• High approval for external assessment to provide evidence of knowledge and understanding, especially externally set research project

Redevelopment (proposed)

• Phase 1 - Redevelop 4 sectors for first teaching from September 2014:

– Business: new trends and needs alignment with NG Firsts

– IT: Curriculum review in 2010 with new focus on computer science

– HSC: sector becoming more professionalised. Looking for higher-order skills

– Sport: impact of Olympics.

• Phase 2 - Redevelop remaining sectors for first teaching from 2015