BTEC equivalents to A level - help please !

[lloydjam]

Please can i have some help - my son has just received notice from a Uni through UCAS that he didn't meet the minimum entry requirements for paramedic science. The uni wanted BBB and he has A in maths A level; B in Biology A level and a distinction in BTEC level 3 national extend certificate in Business studies. He was told that this was equivalent to an A in A level so not sure why they say he did not meet the requirements. He is trying to call the Uni but any thoughts would be gratefully received !

Did they want any specific subjects?

HI, this is the criteria on the website:

A level :BBB or ABC, including grade B in Biology with a pass in the practical element, Human Biology, PE or Chemistry with a pass in the practical element. Critical Thinking and General Studies are not accepted.

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) DDM in one of the following subjects:

Applied Science
Applied Science (Medical Science)
Applied Science (Forensic Science) - must include both 'Physiology of Human Body Systems' and 'Physiology of Human Regulation & Reproduction' units.
Forensic and Criminal Investigation - must include both 'Physiology of Human Body Systems' and 'Forensic Genetics' units.
Sport and Exercise Science
Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)
Sport (Performance and Excellence)
Physical Education and Coaching
Health and Social Care - must include either 'Physiological Disorders' or 'The Impact of Long-term Physiological Conditions’, plus ‘Nutritional Health’ or ‘Nutrition for Health’

thanks

The BTEC extended diploma is a much bigger qualification than an extended certificate. If the entry requirements are stated in terms of A-levels and BTEC extended diplomas it's likely the person who has processed the application couldn't find details relating to extended certificates. Also, as the subject his extended certificate was in isn't listed, the person might have decided he didn't meet the requirements. BTEC names are very confusing, so this wouldn't surprise me, but it is possible that the course is only willing to consider BTEC qualifications in particular subject area.

In terms of UCAS tariff, an extended certificate at D carries the same number of points as an A at A-level, but the entry requirements weren't stated in terms of UCAS points, so this isn't directly relevant (schools & colleges sometimes assume universities use UCAS tariff points to make decisions, when often they don't).

I would be inclined to get your son to contact the admissions tutor for the programme, explain the situation (politely) and ask whether he/she thinks the decision to reject him was correct or if the admissions team should be contacted. Please don't do it yourself: paramedic science needs confident, assertive people, so getting his mum to phone up on his behalf will give a bad impression.

Yes, get him to ring up the university tomorrow and speak to the admissions team.

It looks like the subject your DS BTEC is in is not science based or have any science elements to it.
Also as pp mention it is a cert not a diploma

It seems odd that for A levels he must have a B in a biology or other named science subject and any other A level would do at the required grade.

But as he has a BTEC he must have that in a science based subject and any other A levels, even though he has A level Biology.
For example
2 A level non science and BTEC non science - doesn't meet
2 A level non science and BTEC science - meets
2 A level 2 science and BTEC non science - doesn't meet

I would suspect a mistake tbh. Someone has probably just looked at the BTEC, assumes it's the Extended Dip and as it's not in the right subject have rejected him. He should phone tomorrow and explain that he has the right A levels and the the third subject is an A level equivalent equal to an A in tariff terms.

The Diploma is the equivalent of 3 A levels. Requirements are usually for A levels OR the Diploma, hence the requirement for a science based diploma. I assume a Certificate is equivalent to a single A level which isn't covered by the entry requirements. Definitely ring the admissions people and get them to check.

Thank you everyone for your help !

I agree with titchy. It is his 3rd subject but Btec is an unknown to most uni people ( I'm Mrs Btec and I spent ages explaining it to DH who helps with admissions in his HEI and now he is the dept's go-to person for all things btec).
Explain that maths and Biology are his main A levels and this is the equivalent of 1 more A'level which should not be subject specific I guess

Did it say minimum entry standards or minimum academic entry standards?
Paramedic courses also ask for significant experience and a clean driving license. There are also medical standards and a DRB check.
Did you ring the uni?