BTEC

[user1472494585]

My son did not get good results in GCSC, he got C in 5 subjects including maths and English. Colleges refused to accept him for A levels, They suggested a BETC level 3 Business studies course. I am not happy about it, can you please advise me what to do.

[eatingtomuch]

If he got C at GCSE he will struggle with A levels.
Majority of universities accept Btec. So will not stop him progressing to higher education.
If he has his heart set on a top university it might be worth asking if he could try one A level alongside the Btec.
I would recommend looking at university courses and the entry requirement of that is what he wants to do.
The only other option is an apprenticeship.

[eatingtomuch]

Level 3 Btec is equivalent to three A levels.
Why are you not happy with the Btec?

[LIZS]

An extended level 3 btec is the equivalent if 3 A level passes but if he wants to go to uni he needs to check which courses accept it for entry. C grades at gcse will not lead to better A level grades unless there were extenuating circumstances, especially if working under exam conditions is a problem. What does your dc want to do?

[user1472494585]

Thank you so much for sharing your ideas and many thanks for the information, I think he will have a better future with A levels. I do not have much knowledge about BETEC. He was interested in doing film studies, but not anymore as he has chosen to do BTEC Business studies course. He wants to study finance or Law at university after finishing his 2 years BTEC course. He is a bit confused as I am.

[titchy]

He won't have a better future with A levels if he fails them, and a kid who scraped 5 Cs will almost certainly fail at A level. BTEC is a much better option - he'd be assessed throughout the course rather than in just one final exam at the end which clearly isn't his strength.

[ihatethecold]

Op, the same thing has happened to my ds.
I'm glad he is doing the Btec now instead of A levels.
I want him to do well rather than struggle and not get good grades in 2 years.

[doyouseeme1]

I did an extended btec course at college whilst a few friends did A levels, they all failed their first year and some even failed the second whilst I done really well and finished with the highest grade possible. I found it to be easier, you're supported throughout and doing coursework that you can get help with and edit before submitting for your mark is easier than a final exam.

[user1472494585]

oh, Thank you, this is a relief. I feel much better now, he promised that he will do his best to get the highest grades.

[caroldecker]

Have a look at courses. many will accept a BTEC, but some require a grade B in GCSE maths and/or an A level.
It may be worth re-taking the maths depending on the course he would like to do.

[PopFizz]

I did a level 3 BTEC back in the late 90s, and I was an A grade student. (At the time the only option locally for media and photography) Even back then there were UCAS points for BTECs and universities were positive towards them. I chose to go into work instead at 18 though, in the field I had been studying for two years.

[PopFizz]

I agree with pp though that C grade students may be better suited to a BTEC rather than individual A levels.

[lapsedorienteerer]

I did a BTEC course way back in 1980-82 and got a university place as a result. Had to get a 'Merit' or above in those days to count as uni application.

[CointreauVersial]

Ohhh....DS got 2Bs and 5Cs at GCSE, but won't contemplate BTECs, and is about to start 3 A levels. I hope you're wrong when you say he won't be able to cope....

[user1472494585]

He has 5Cs and the rest are Ds and E, not very good results, but I hope he achieves good grades in BTEC and gets a place in one of the good universities.

[PopFizz]

Cointreau, to be honest it depends on the subject. I wouldn't suggest anyone with a C in maths take maths a level for instance.

OP, a good university is one that offers a good course and teaching for your son. It may not be a top league table one, but especially with business degrees which offer a year in business that doesn't always matter.

[caroldecker]

i would also question whether university is right - it can be much better to go straight into work.

[user1472494585]

Thank you for the useful information.

[bigTillyMint]

The level 3 BTEC Business Studies is well regarded. AFAIK if he completes it with distinctions it wI'll be worth 3 A* A levels.
It is not a second-rate qualification.

If he worked reasonably hard for his GCSES and came out with Cs, he may well be better suited to the way BTECs are taught and assessed. I will be encouraging DS to look at them as I think they might be better suited to his way of learnine too.

[caroldecker]

I agree BTEC business studies is well regarded, but it is not worth 3 A* A levels at all universities (even if it has the same UCAS points).
However, for example, Bath University Accountancy and finance degree is an AAA offer or DDD in BTEC Level 3 Extended, or DD* in level 3 alongside a maths A level (grade A).
He will struggle to get into any worthwhile university finance course without at least a B in GCSE.
I would also not touch a law degree - many graduates are struggling to find any jobs to get their professional qualifications.
The course itself is worthwhile, but maybe look for work afterwards rather than university, or do it alongside an apprenticeship so he gains work experience and pay whilst doing it. He could still go to uni afterwards if he wanted to.

[EmmaMacgill]

A Levels don't suit everyone and are a massive step up from GCSEs. My friend's son was a real high flyer at school, he failed his A levels terrible, but went on to get a good apprentiship with a a blue chip firm, he's doing fantastically well and alread has a great job to go into when he's finished. He wouldn't have been able to walk into that job following A Levels.
I have a family member who failed most of his GCSEs and went on to blossom in a vocational course, He now has his own home an in demand job and a very bright future

[user1472494585]

I must say I feel much better about his choice now, just trying to support him. He was very upset when they rejected him for A levels but I feel that he will have a good future with BTEC Business studies if he gets good grades.
Thanks to all of you, I have a good knowledge about BTEC now.

[pleasemothermay1]

Hi my friend son has just got his a level results haveing scarpped c in his GCSEs he has failed got c and Ds he's now in clearing and is doing a course that quite frankly he would be better of doing an apperterships and will pay 9k for the privllage

My son is doing a BETEC he's doing a level 3 engineering and it's actually very hard you have to have 5 a-c gades so I would not poo poo betecs

[user1472494585]

Thank you