BTEC Level 3 Nationals An update Michael Hewens

BTEC Level 3 Nationals An update Michael Hewens Business Manager – BTEC 21 November 2012

Qualifications & Credit Framework 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 Level 1 ENTRY Level AWARD 1 – 12 credits Size CERTIFICATE 13 – 36 credits DIPLOMA Above 36 credits

QCF Design Principles The qualifications are made up of units, and each unit is allocated ‘credits’ and Guided Learning Hours (GLH) Each QCF BTEC qualification is sized in terms of the number of credits (not units, as in the NQF) 5 credit units have 30 GLH; 10 credit units have 60 GLH Credit is based on Learning Time; supervised and independent study GLH (Guided Learning Hours) will continue to be used for planning and funding purposes

QCF BTECs BTEC Level 3 Nationals The new BTEC qualifications have been extended Titles on the QCF have changed, due to the QCF rules

QCF Revised BTEC L 3 Nationals Titles with Equivalences Level 3 BTEC Nationals (NQF) Level 3 BTEC National Diploma BTEC Level 3 Nationals (QCF) = 3 A Levels BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma 18 units (1080 GLH) 180 credits (1080 GLH) Level 3 BTEC National Certificate BTEC Level 3 Diploma = 2 A Levels 12 units (720 GLH) Level 3 BTEC National Award 6 units (360 GLH) = 1 A Level 120 credits (720 GLH) BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma = 3 A Levels = 2 A Levels = 1 A Level 60 credits (360 GLH) BTEC Level 3 Certificate 30 credits (180 GLH) = 1 AS Level

BTEC benchmarks National Occupational Standards Continues funding is ensured by accreditation onto the QCF On Performance Tables (SCAAT points) BTEC L 2 Firsts equivalent to GCSEs (A*-C) BTEC L 3 Nationals equivalent to A Levels BTEC L 3 National on the UCAS Tariff QCF

Drivers for L 3 redevelopment • Progression from NG BTEC Firsts • First-mover advantage re: o UCAS QIR consultation o New KS 5 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 higherorder skills – Sport: impact of Olympics. • Phase 2 - Redevelop remaining sectors for first teaching from 2015