BTEC Applied Science L3 Extended Diploma vs A level/combo

[hampshiremum321]

My DD is in Year 11 and will shortly need to be making decisions/applications for Year 12. Have done lots of research and in the process of attending college evenings as they happen. She is not hugely academic and is a bit lazy - I need to push her constantly I'm afraid, but when pushed does okay. And she is slowly slowly getting a bit more disciplined (a maturity thing I guess). In her Year 10 April mocks she got a mixture of grades 4s and 5s but hopefully they will be a bit better by the time she finishes Year 11, she was predicted 5s and 6s back in April.
We were thinking that the BTEC Applied Science L3 extended diploma might be good (equivelent to 3 A-levels), as it is practical, project based with no exams and puts a big emphasis on work experience. Whilst I would love for her to do A levels, I fear that it might be a step too far for her - I hear Biology A level is really hard. The other alternative would be to do a Single Applied Science (1 A level) and top it up with something like Environmental Science A level (which I believe is easier than Biology), and perhaps an arty 3rd choice like Graphic Communication.
She likes Art but has realised that it will be a hobby, not a career. When I ask her what she would like to do, the reply is "something sciencey" (!) She does like Biology. She is quite interested in forensics/criminology but I sometimes fear that is from watching certain American television programmes that glamorise the career! If she did that, would there be a job at the end of it for her?

So to cut a long story short, has anyone's DC done the BTEC Applied Science L3 extended and what did they think? Did they go on to Uni or get a good job at the end of it?
Thanks in advance!

I don't have experience of the L3 Science BTEC but DD is doing L3 media and generally the BTEC has been a very good experience - it's continuous assessment, with realistic work assignments right from the start.

Sounds like a good choice for someone 'sciencey' and she may do much better in BTEC than A levels. You might want to look at some potential uni courses to look at the requirements.

I teach on an applied science course. If she is likely to come out with 5s in sciences and maths she will be much better off doing the BTEC than A levels. You need to be aware that the newer BTECs which are the only ones available from next year do have some exams and other external assessments. If she wants to do a science based course at university then the next extended diploma is the one to go for as the extended certificate doesn’t really have enough content to prepare them for a science degree.

Thank you for the replies.
Mendeleyev, one of the colleges we looked at is offering the Btec Applied Science L3 Extended Diploma with the 2010 syllabus (not 2016). Do you think this is something to be concerned about?
Thank you in advance.

My DD did the first year of the L3 Applied Science BTEC on the forensics pathway - and hated it. She expected (as per TV) it to be all "oh this shoelace came from
Italy in 1952" and was quite shocked at the road crash investigation and fire scene investigation modules that were quite gory. It was also very hard to get work experience.

She left after the first year and took an apprenticeship instead.

Thank you , that was informative. She is starting to think of other pathways - health/medical perhaps. As a matter of interest, is your daughter's apprenticeship science related?

Yes - but in an area she hadn't considered! The work experience that she managed to get was in a food science laboratory, in the R & D department, and she loved it, so jumped at the chance when they asked her about an apprenticeship.

I thought that "applied" science A level options were no longer possible as they were discontinued after A level reforms in England.
Have a look at BTEC Health and social care options if she is interested in Health.
My dd did Graphics communication A level so if you want to find out more about that please ask.

laaneenaaneenaa that sounds like a great opportunity for your daughter - great knowing that apprenticeships are also an option.
catndogslife - one of our local colleges offers a single BTEC worth 1 A-level in Applied Science. Another one offers a Level 3 certificate (also worth 1 A-level) in Medical Science. These 2 colleges aren't vocational and mainly offer A levels, with the odd vocational thrown in. Yes - we are looking at the Health and Social care options as well. We don't think she is going to go down the Art route.

Would love to ask some questions about this course if you wouldn’t mind @Mendeleyev?
How has the course gone @hampshiremum321