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Original poster

If your dc did BTECs, do you say they have A levels?

219 replies

Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 19:07

My nephew did a BTEC in Media and a BTEC in Music production. He passed them all, which is fab. But my BIL keeps telling everyone he got 4 x A levels. My dd got 3 x A levels and I'm starting to feel a bit fed up with him saying dn got 4 x A levels. We were at a bbq yesterday and someone was congratulating dd and he interrupted and said well, dn got 4 A levels!

I think he may have got the equivalent of 4 A levels, so a great achievement whatever, but its beginning to annoy me. I know I'm being petty. But ds1 did BTECs a few years ago and did really well in them and ended up at uni but I am pretty sure I always told people he'd done BTECS!

OP posts:
pinkducky · 26/08/2024 23:13

00BonneMaman00 · 26/08/2024 22:41

Why does it bother you? Just ignore him.

From OP's posts I think it bothers her because when BIL says DN got 4 A levels, it's as though DN has outshone her daughter who got 3.

Presumably this wouldn't be a problem if he actually did have 4 A levels, but because his qualifications are only equivalent to 4 A levels, to some people this is unacceptable.

I wonder if OP would prefer BIL to specify that the qualification DN achieved were BTECs, because there is a level of snobbery associated with them vs A levels. Rather than be proud of them both, she is keen for people to understand that her daughter is the shining star.

Teanbiscuits33 · 26/08/2024 23:08

Why do you care? It’s not a competition. If your brother wants to tell people your nephew has A Levels to avoid stigma, then let him. It doesn’t have any effect on you or your son’s life whatsoever. Seems like you just want people to recognise your son as more academic or more intelligent than your nephew? I don’t get it, really. Just live and let live.

Tmpnmc86 · 26/08/2024 22:56

My husband and I did the same degree. His btec was much closer in content to the degree than my a level, meaning he could chill for his first year at uni while I had a lot more ground to cover.

Worriedmum1975 · 26/08/2024 22:45

I did BTECs in the mid 1980s on a day release from work. I got into university and did a degree and postgraduate qualifications. I never say I've got A levels because I haven't.

MyPeppyTaupeFox · 26/08/2024 22:42

Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:40

The science degree dd applied for accepted BTEC but you had to do certain modules.

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Yes and I've also seen entry requirements that ask for A Level Maths alongside the relevant BTEC (I think this was engineering). It's so important to double check 😊

00BonneMaman00 · 26/08/2024 22:41

Why does it bother you? Just ignore him.

Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:40

MyPeppyTaupeFox · 26/08/2024 22:38

I work on FE and I think BTECs are fab prep for uni. They, in my experience, teach more applied skills and these can be seriously lacking in some A Level learners. Just check the entry requirements for any course he's thinking of applying for at uni to make sure it's ok (it usually is!)

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The science degree dd applied for accepted BTEC but you had to do certain modules.

OP posts:
Edingril · 26/08/2024 22:40

Sure it is incorrect but why does it matter? This seems childish to worry about

Thursdaygirl · 26/08/2024 22:39

Starlingexpress · 26/08/2024 21:19

YANBU OP.

It’s weird how celebrating the achievements of an academic child is frowned upon in case it upsets anybody.

This. I work at a University and helped out in Admissions during Clearing, You can have as many BTEC UCAS points as you like, but a lot of Uni courses will still ask for either A level English or Maths (depending on what you want to study) so BTEC are not equal to A levels, even if it’s polite to pretend otherwise

freakinthespreadsheets · 26/08/2024 22:39

No because BTECs are valuable in their own right and I'd not feel the need to pretend theyre something else - I am proud of my BTEC for what it is.

MyPeppyTaupeFox · 26/08/2024 22:38

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2024 22:32

See this makes me worried. Dc school font offer a great range A levels but wider range btec I do worry they won't prep him for uni.

I work on FE and I think BTECs are fab prep for uni. They, in my experience, teach more applied skills and these can be seriously lacking in some A Level learners. Just check the entry requirements for any course he's thinking of applying for at uni to make sure it's ok (it usually is!)

LadeOde · 26/08/2024 22:38

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2024 22:32

See this makes me worried. Dc school font offer a great range A levels but wider range btec I do worry they won't prep him for uni.

I wouldn't worry about that. Unis have been admitting students for yrs to do degrees and those students have no less success than those who did A'Levels.

Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:35

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2024 22:32

See this makes me worried. Dc school font offer a great range A levels but wider range btec I do worry they won't prep him for uni.

I think they are quite good prep for uni as most uni courses are a mix of coursework and exams like BTECS.
When dd1 did one we did have to double check that the uni course she wanted would accept it (science based)

OP posts:
Hankunamatata · 26/08/2024 22:32

See this makes me worried. Dc school font offer a great range A levels but wider range btec I do worry they won't prep him for uni.

Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:30

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2024 22:28

I wouldn't as I know the difference between the two. However if parent didn't go into higher education and they have been told btec is equivalent to 4 A levels then I can see why they do it. Also some people think btec aren't as good as A levels so would say A level instead

Actually tbf that may be true. He could well just think dnephew actually has 4 A levels.

I feel bad now.

OP posts:
MyPeppyTaupeFox · 26/08/2024 22:30

I feel similarly when I hear colleagues who have PGCEs say they have "two degrees". No you don't... you have a bachelors and a postgraduate certificate.. the clue is in the name! (I presume some DO have two degrees but I'm referring
specifically to those who say they're "graduating from their second degree" when they complete it!) I don't know why but it irks me.. almost as if they are being disingenuous with their qualifications. There's nothing wrong with a BTEC or a PGCE but they aren't the same as A-Levels or a degree and that's fine! No need to try to dress it up as something it's not as they are valuable qualifications.

Hankunamatata · 26/08/2024 22:28

I wouldn't as I know the difference between the two. However if parent didn't go into higher education and they have been told btec is equivalent to 4 A levels then I can see why they do it. Also some people think btec aren't as good as A levels so would say A level instead

x2boys · 26/08/2024 22:28

Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:23

Yeah everyone knows what BTECS are!

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Course they do I did my Alevels in 1993 and failed them I was far more suited to the Btec course. I still kick myself for listening to my mum .

Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:27

HÆLTHEPAIN · 26/08/2024 22:25

So why is it an issue? I mean you’re technically correct but what harm is it causing you?

Oh, and I say my daughter has 2 A Levels and a BTEC Distinction Star, which is the equivalent of an A Level A*, because that’s what people seem to understand.

Edited
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It's not causing me any harm. It annoyed me when BIL cut across dd to say that dneohew had more A levels than her. It annoyed dd as well. Obviously neither of us said anything.

OP posts:
HÆLTHEPAIN · 26/08/2024 22:25

Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:21

No, I'm saying it's a BTEC, not an A level.

I don't say my own dd has three BTECS, because she doesn't, she has three A levels. The exams are totally different.

I'm not being snobby, I'm saying my nephew does not have 4 A levels. He may have the equivalent in points.

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So why is it an issue? I mean you’re technically correct but what harm is it causing you?

Oh, and I say my daughter has 2 A Levels and a BTEC Distinction Star, which is the equivalent of an A Level A*, because that’s what people seem to understand.

Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:23

LadeOde · 26/08/2024 22:22

What are you talking about? BTECs have been around for decades and most parents of teenagers have heard of or took BTECs themselves. Even i did a BTEC and I'm 55! so I'm one of those parents. Unless you're a foreigner who just arrived in the UK the majority of the population knows what a BTEC is.

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Yeah everyone knows what BTECS are!

OP posts:
LadeOde · 26/08/2024 22:22

ComtesseDeSpair · 26/08/2024 19:25

Perhaps it’s because many people who aren’t teenagers, parents of teenagers, or teachers don’t have any idea what a BTEC is, but do A Levels, so it’s an easier shorthand. I’d never heard of a BTEC before this thread and wouldn’t have a clue what level of qualification they provide or what age they’d typically be taken.

I can’t really see why it would annoy you tbh. Your DC worked hard and got their qualifications. DN worked hard and got their qualifications. DC’s qualifications don’t get cancelled out because DN refers to theirs with the wrong name.

Edited

What are you talking about? BTECs have been around for decades and most parents of teenagers have heard of or took BTECs themselves. Even i did a BTEC and I'm 55! so I'm one of those parents. Unless you're a foreigner who just arrived in the UK the majority of the population knows what a BTEC is.

Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:22

Hillbilly · 26/08/2024 22:19

My DD got a merit in her UAL (BTEC equivalent) which equates to 3Bs at A Level. None of it matters so long as she can can progress to her chosen next step. Im proud of her and so should she be 😊

Well done to her. I'm assuming you don't say she has 3 A levels though?

OP posts:
Original poster
Milsonophonia · 26/08/2024 22:21

HÆLTHEPAIN · 26/08/2024 21:50

My daughter did 2 A levels and a BTEC. She got a Distinction Star in the BTEC which gives her the equivalent UCAS points as an A Star. Her A levels were A and B.

So you’re telling me that her BTEC Distinction Star is not as good? Or is it just snobbery?

No, I'm saying it's a BTEC, not an A level.

I don't say my own dd has three BTECS, because she doesn't, she has three A levels. The exams are totally different.

I'm not being snobby, I'm saying my nephew does not have 4 A levels. He may have the equivalent in points.

OP posts:
Hillbilly · 26/08/2024 22:19

My DD got a merit in her UAL (BTEC equivalent) which equates to 3Bs at A Level. None of it matters so long as she can can progress to her chosen next step. Im proud of her and so should she be 😊