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Further education

You'll find discussions about A Levels and universities on our Further Education forum.

Original poster

T levels or BTEC?

40 replies

CornishGem1975 · 27/08/2023 07:16

My DS needs to make a choice between taking a T level or a BTEC. I know T levels are relatively new however they are accepted onto a the degree course he is interested on (I've checked with the unis).

I am wary of the T level - mainly I guess because it's an unknown, but the similar BTEC option that is available at the college only gives the same UCAS points as 2 A levels, which means not enough to get into uni - anyone got any experience here?

OP posts:
Postapocalypticcowgirl · 28/08/2023 20:07

TeenDivided · 27/08/2023 15:41

They must offer something, otherwise the students doing the BTEC Diploma wouldn't be 'full time'. Though maybe they only offer it to students who are resitting GCSEs.

The plan was that the Extended Diploma BTECs would be phased out in favour of T-levels. I can see why somewhere wouldn't teach both.

If OP is in Cornwall, I know students who travel 90 minutes each way to get the provision they want. Geographically, they simply may not be able to access the tertiary education they want.

Public transport in a lot of Cornwall is a bit crap, so you can be limited to the college (and it's often only 1 or 2, max 3 but one is quite a specialist agricultural college) that puts on a special bus from your town. Plus the cost of your bus pass can be very expensive.

There's also a shortage of places, so even if OP's son can physically get to the college, they may no longer have spaces. I know the college some students go to from our town (which is a long journey in itself) is oversubscribed this year- we had some students try to get a place after GCSE results, and if they hadn't previously applied they were turned away.

I'm sure it's similar in other rural parts of the UK.

Postapocalypticcowgirl · 28/08/2023 20:02

CornishGem1975 · 27/08/2023 07:16

My DS needs to make a choice between taking a T level or a BTEC. I know T levels are relatively new however they are accepted onto a the degree course he is interested on (I've checked with the unis).

I am wary of the T level - mainly I guess because it's an unknown, but the similar BTEC option that is available at the college only gives the same UCAS points as 2 A levels, which means not enough to get into uni - anyone got any experience here?

Are you based in Cornwall, and would your DS be doing this at the Cornish college starting with a T or a P?

If so, please feel free to DM me, but I would not want my child to do a T-level at those colleges at the moment. If not, feel free to ignore!

TeenDivided · 27/08/2023 17:50

I guess it depends on whether the 'exams' are written or practical. If they are both written then I think that would be ridiculous. Whereas an exam that said 'fully service this vehicle' would be quite a good test (for motor mechanics, not so much for animal care!)

QualityCorner · 27/08/2023 17:29

DS is going to do 2 different BTecs- one equivalent to one A level, one equivalent to 2.
We looked at T levels- the curriculum and work experience element are very attractive- but rejected because it was all graded on 2 final exams. The BTec approach is modular and mostly course work based and that suits him better.
I remember the T Level tutor saying, if you fail one exam, you have to resit both.

Magpiecomplex · 27/08/2023 16:39

The BTEC diploma will offer enough UCAS points to get into some degree courses if he does reasonably well. Worth checking with the university whether he specifically needs three grades or whether they'll accept the right number of points from a smaller qualification.

Rummikub · 27/08/2023 16:19

With that choice I’d say T level.

If it was a 3. A level equivalent BTEC then I’d say BTEC. As can get paid work alongside. T level work experience could be unpaid. Do the college find the work placement?

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 27/08/2023 16:08

They do one but not in the subject area he's interested in. Think computing but two different areas of specialism. The extended one just isn't of interest to him where as the T level content or the other BTEC is more relevant/appealing to the area he wants to go into.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 27/08/2023 15:41

They must offer something, otherwise the students doing the BTEC Diploma wouldn't be 'full time'. Though maybe they only offer it to students who are resitting GCSEs.

The plan was that the Extended Diploma BTECs would be phased out in favour of T-levels. I can see why somewhere wouldn't teach both.

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 27/08/2023 15:22

@rabbithearted Unfortunately it's the only college that he can get to.

I agree it's strange, especially as they don't offer A levels but it's a college that also does degree level courses. The BTEC definitely won't be enough on its own as it's only about 8/9 units. I would have thought they'd have something so maybe something will come to light when we go in to see them.

OP posts:
rabbithearted · 27/08/2023 13:41

Is he not able to go somewhere else and do a BTEC extended diploma equivalent to 3 A Levels? It seems strange the college is only offering the smaller one, is it intended they're supposed to do an A level alongside?

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 27/08/2023 13:10

All good points @Bunnyannesummers I guess a BTEC is similarly limiting. I wish the BTEC was equivalent to the three A levels. We're going to the college next week so maybe I'll ask them about this in more detail. Whatever DS does, he needs to be able to go to uni or get a degree apprenticeship at the end so we want to get it right.

OP posts:
Bunnyannesummers · 27/08/2023 11:11

If it’s accepted onto the degree course he’s interested in then it should be fine.

The major risks are that it limits next steps, that the delivery isn’t great because it’s new and that there are issues with work placements.

students also have to fund their own transport etc for work placements if this is a concern.

I would be asking what the success rate is - how many students continue after first year? How many students finish the course? Nationally the picture isn’t great. What are the passing rates? What are the options if the work placement doesn’t work out?

Also worth bearing in mind that there’s no option to leave half way through with a qualification, so if it doesn’t work with him and he leaves at the end of Y12 to restart he’ll have nothing to show for it.

Thisismynewusername1 · 27/08/2023 10:15

Following as a careers adviser has recently suggested this to dc.

they want a healthcare related apprenticeship- radiography, medical physics, but open to anything between that and nursing.

they’re not daft, but don’t enjoy traditional study. Want to get on with earning money while learning 😂

Original poster
CornishGem1975 · 27/08/2023 10:12

@TeenDivided Thanks. I considered that about A Levels but the college doesn't offer A Levels so we'd need to look to find somewhere else that could do it.

The college has just had its first cohort finish T levels and they seem to have done well, gone on to apprenticeships with good companies etc.

OP posts:
TeenDivided · 27/08/2023 09:40

If they did the BTEC Diploma (2 A levels size) then they would need to do an A level alongside or an additional BTEC certificate (1 A level size). Would they like the variety/is there anything else that takes their fancy?

If they are looking at uni are they OK at exams etc? I understand T-Levels are more exam and less coursework based?

Have they taught the T level yet or is it new this year?

Check how they are assessed in case that make a difference to you.