BTEC

This is a practical course that requires a genuine enthusiasm and interest in sport.  There are a great variety of compulsory modules, including functional anatomy, applied sport and exercise psychology and coaching for performance and fitness. Boys have the choice of planning an individual physical activity or group-based exercise, using the theoretical knowledge they have gained, to plan and deliver exercise sessions for their peers. Or they can choose to plan some specialised fitness training, which is focussed on improving sports performance. 

The components of this course, alongside other appropriate A-Levels, enable boys to consider many different degree courses such as nutrition, physiotherapy, sports therapy and rehabilitation, sports science, sports management, sports journalism, sports psychology and more. Degree apprenticeships in sports-related fields are also an option.

The BTEC also opens up career options in areas such as sports, fitness and personal training, sports coaching and development, outdoor activities instruction and gym management.  Introducing a great many transferrable skills for entering the workforce, which are not limited to just sports-related degrees or careers, this course enhances employability in many fields.

This business course explores and educates learners in a practical way about setting up and starting new enterprises and expanding small and medium enterprises, which make up 99% of the private sector economy in the UK.

Boys learn what it is like to be an entrepreneur, exploring the risks, opportunities and constraints of starting a business. The course also helps learners to gain skills relating to the development of marketing campaigns and the importance of personal and business finance. Boys will be able to undertake the Extended Certificate, which is equivalent to one A-Level, with the option in the Upper Sixth to extend this to The Foundation Diploma, which is equivalent to 1.5 A-Levels.  In the Upper Sixth, boys apply their learning from across the sector to launch and run a business enterprise.

This course offers boys the opportunity to learn and develop skills that can benefit them in the future. Many careers may begin with employment but move to self-employment later in life; therefore, boys with this business knowledge and acumen will have an advantage. 

BTECs are academic subjects that are studied in a different way and, therefore, have a more practical and vocational focus. 

Russell Group universities such as the University of Newcastle, the University of Nottingham and others have publicly stated for a number of years now, that applicants for undergraduate courses with a mixed profile of A-Levels and BTEC qualifications are amongst some of the more successful students transitioning into university study, as these qualifications foster great time-management and organisational skills. The portfolio nature of BTECs lends itself to the type of independent study needed at university.

“In some cases, studying at least one BTEC may help prepare you for university life, with a program of continuous coursework and research better mirroring university-style assessment, alongside A-Levels.”

Joe Woodcock, Head of Student Community at The Student Room, October 2023

95% of universities accept BTEC qualifications; however, Oxford and Cambridge are among the few that do not. Think Student UK report that “Russell Group universities are more likely to accept applications with at least A-Levels in addition to BTECs. So, this is a good idea for those with high aspirations for their university in the future.” However, each university website should be checked for requirements before choosing Sixth Form subjects.

The Russell Group have created an excellent interactive tool to help explore which subjects can open up degrees at their universities. The tool is called ‘Informed choices’ and it helps pupils, parents and teachers find out more about how subjects taken at Sixth Form can affect students’ options at university and beyond.

There are four grades awarded for BTECs, and these are Distinction*, Distinction, Merit and Pass.  These are equivalent in UCAS tariff points to an A*, A, C, E respectively.

A-Levels typically include examinations at the end of the course, which determine the grade. BTECs involve coursework and may include modular exams throughout the course that count towards the final grade.

It depends on how you work best. If you have good organisational and time management skills to cope with coursework and internal exams within the year, it may feel easier because it suits your learning style better. However, this does not mean the work will be easier. If you prefer to take in the theory and be able to shine in a final exam rather than do coursework, it may not feel like an easier option.