Any experience of level 3 BTEC computing

[6thformcolleges]

Does anyone have experience of level 3 BTEC computing - 2 years full time at college doing computing instead of A levels? How did you find it? Entry requirements are very low despite saying it is same as 3 A levels. Did it lead to jobs/university?

DS finished this course in June and he’s now in a foundation degree. However, he only did the diploma in computing so it was only worth two A levels so he couldn’t do a honours degree right away

Is a diploma still 2 years? Is it different entry requirements? Did he enjoy it? Did he choose it instead of A levels?

My ds did it (Level 3 extended) and got 3 Distinction Stars which is equivalent to 168 UCAS points he is currently doing a degree at Portsmouth Uni.

Ds did a different Btec knew what he wanted to do at University and knew Btec was accepted. Does your dd/ds have any ideas about uni courses it's worth checking what the acceptance requirements are.
The course was more practical than a levels but was going onto a practical and related subject so helped in the first year as many of the other students had the book learning but no actual hands on experience.
Passed degree he said didn't appear to have more or less issues than others.
Working in tesco now though as no vacancies in his field but hopefully after covid something will come up.

My DS1 did this course. He started A levels, but by half way through Y12 it was obvious it wasn't going well, shall we say! I worked as a HCP with another person with the same HCP degree as me who said he'd got into uni with a 3 A level equivalent Applied Science Extended Diploma BTEC, so I researched them and discovered the one in computing.

It was a very different experience to A levels! It was run at a Tech College, rather than sixth form; the course was 9-3 Mo-Fri, no 'frees'; eight students in his year.

As you know, BTECs work on continuous modular assessment; not final exam. DS1's did have 4 external exams over 2 years, introduced to bolster the academic credentials of the course, but the other 9 modules weren't examined as such. So it was a different way of working.

Anyway, DS1 got 2 x D starred and 1 x D, and is now in his third year at uni doing Computing (actually a paid year 'working in industry' in a company that has a habit of employing them after uni!).

Now, here's the thing: In our opinion, the BTEC was easier than some A levels might have been (but not all!). He did have to 'keep it up' tho there was more leeway in 'deadlines' than we were lead to believe.

Regarding Computing, be aware of the difference and blurred lines between 'Computing' and 'Computer Science' degrees. Know that you are unlikely to get into a RG to do CS even with a top-marks BTEC as they will want a Maths A level at a high grade, too. DS has found that even with his 160 UCAS points, out of a top score of 168 (like 3 x A star A levels); he wasn't able to get into top flight unis, tho most RG do CS not Computing. He could have got on his (ex-Poly) course with BBC grades.

However, also note most employers don't care where your computing degree came from (as long as it wasn't from a really low-rent establishment!). Check the league table position of the course. Also, be aware that if your DC has a BTEC in the subject, the first year at uni will be easier for them than for those entering with A levels, other than maybe Computer Science A level, having done nothing but study that subject at BTEC for the past 2 years.

Finally, the BTEC is an employment ticket in its own right, unlike A levels!

My second DS actively chose a 2 A level equivalent BTEC alongside an A and AS level (then an Art Foundation year) because he knew what he wanted to do, at 15. He's now in his first year at uni on the most highly rated course for his subject in the country.

We dont have much choice as there is only one level 3 in computing offered and DS has no idea about university so cant check that yet.

@Bearnecessity - was your DS a high achiever at GCSE? Was there any correlation between the ones who got 3 D*. Any link to maths ability or written ability or was it just motivation/work ethic? Thanks

@6thformcolleges

Is a diploma still 2 years? Is it different entry requirements? Did he enjoy it? Did he choose it instead of A levels?

I’ve asked him.

Yes his diploma was two years. He did 4 units in each year so only 8 units in total.

And no I think he only needed 4 GCSEs including maths and English which was probably set by his college

@6th form my ds was an extremely capable lazy arse who did quite well with his GCSEs when he could have done outstandingly well had he actually done any work at all. This was another reason that he went down BTEC route and probably because I did too. He did do higher maths which has stood him in good stead. He is now a degree apprentice architect, ''tis all done on computers these days....he is loving it.

Thank you.

My DS, as described above was bright but lazy. Predicted 6 A, 4 B at GCSE. Got 2 A, 6 B, 2 C.....

The biggie for mine was the realisation that his A levels were going down the pan, too. We knew this, really by Xmas.

I'm a pragmatist, so I made it clear, and I stand by this- that 2, even three low grade A levels in soft subjects aren't worth the paper they're written on. Sure, they'll get you into uni (given the paucity of other options), but what unis? What prospects?

So I told him I wouldn't go on funding failure. Hence the change of direction and the BTEC, which turned everything around.

As an aside, what you'll see on MN a lot is telling fretting GCSE parents to get their student to focus on the end result. Don't allow them to choose soft A levels if they want RG, for example. But be realistic.

So, maybe your DC does need to look at the bigger picture? Where this BTEC will take them? Yes, into employment, definitely, but also yes, into uni even with very average results; but ask which uni, which course?

Remember the govt can change the rules on student debt repayment at any time.

Oh, and we had no real choice about which BTEC provider, but then, nor do many, realistically, about which A level Maths provider!

Oh, and finally, be aware when you say your DC had no idea about uni, if they do this BTEC, their choice is limited to computing related degrees.

They can't choose Chemistry or Dance with it! They make a certain bed to lie on. It's a good choice, given that the world isn't about to run out of employment opportunities for people with computing degrees any time soon!

Just to add all jobs have an element of computing in them so neither are you limited to solely computing degrees.

The only options at A level would be physics, maths and computing. He hates all soft subjects and physics is definitely his favourite subject by far. However it can only be taken with maths and I dont think his maths is strong enough or his work ethic adequate for A levels.

What does he want to go on to do?

Following

He has no idea what job - "maybe something with computers". My main focus is just to ensure he does something in September.

Nothing like a mum to keep a lad on track...😂

Bearnecessity - I try my best! Any advice welcome to motivate him.

Those who have done level 3 computing. How much work experience did it include and did they find it helpful. The amount seems to vary hugely between colleges?

My ds did two weeks...motivation...mine not too bad these days...once he genuinely believed he was capable and wasn't just being bigged up by loving parents.