BTec and UCAS points

[ihearttc]

DS1 is in Y11 and having to make decisions about applying for 6th Form. He really wants to go to the 6th Form attached to his current school so in theory should get in with no problem. He wants to do a rather random mix of A-Levels in Physics, PE and Media Studies. They all sort of loosely link to things he wants to do in the future and are also his best subjects and the subjects he enjoys the most (which I think is very important). He has considered Maths instead of one but although he is in the top Maths set (in a fairly low achieving Secondary School) and is predicted an 8, he feels the step up to A-Level Maths is too much and he prefers physics (which I know is maths based anyway).
Anyway, he has also got to pick a reserve choice of course in case timetabling doesn’t work. His school are actually really good and haven’t specified that they have to pick subjects in specific options columns but they will work the timetable around the students however I’m very aware that there isn’t likely to be any other students wanting to do that particular combination so he really does need a reserve choice.

So his options at the moment are, Biology, Maths (but he isn’t keen) or a BTec in Business alongside the other 2 A-levels. I’m just slightly concerned that a BTEC may effect his overall grades. Do Btecs also give UCAS points?

BTECs do give UCAS points.
Broadly speaking a Pass is an E, a Merit is a C, a Distinction an A.

However depending on what course he is looking to do at university, some courses may prefer A levels over BTECs. However BTECs do bring skills that are useful at university too.

His subject mix is quite wide. Biology might go better with PE than Physics. Physics is usually 'supported' by another science or maths if thinking of heading in that direction. You may like to contact some admissions tutors to check that he's not ruling out things.

With a BTEC you have to hit the ground running. With DD's BTEC to get a Distinction overall she needed 4 Ds and 2 Ms in the 6 modules.

Yes, they do. Mine is also considering a Btec alongside 2 A levels and I have been assured it won't be a problem. Mine has targets of 8s too (whether or not he achieves them will be another matter...) but the Btec is in what he loves most of all and he is determined. Head of 6th form assured me this would be OK!

I assume you have checked, but is the combination he's planning actually allowed at his school?

DC's school insist on A Level maths with Physics (and everywhere we looked locally insisted on at least Core Maths). And they are not keen (timetabling) on people mixing BTECs with A Levels.

I'd STRONGLY recommend not doing Physics unless he's also doing Maths - there's a big overlap between the two.

What sort of grades and degrees is he looking at? PE and Media may well rule some out unless he swaps one of those for Maths. Though bluntly if he's a C grade kid and aiming at lower ranked places it won't matter so much. The combination is odd though - he's risking spreading himself too thinly.

If he's at a poorly performing school would he consider moving to somewhere with better teaching for sixth form?

BTECs certainly do have UCAS points though

@TeenPlusTwenties

It is a very random combination of A-Levels however I can totally see how/why he chose those. He has always wanted to be a pilot, a commercial pilot ever since he was tiny. His intention after A levels was originally to go and train to be a pilot (hence the physics). However with Covid he has decided that it would be a good idea to go to University first and get a degree and then look to do Pilot training later on. He wants to do Sports Journalism or possibly PE teaching hence the Media/PE. The obvious solution would be to either do Biology (he is predicated a 6 compared to a 9 in physics) or English. His school only do English Lit though which he has no interest in. The BTec is a just in case he can’t do the combination of Alevels that he wants because I have my doubts that he’ll be able to do them all.

@titchy

Currently at the moment he is predicted a 9 in physics, 8 in Maths, 6 in Biology, 7 in Chemistry, 7 in PE and he is on course for a Distinction in Media (they changed the course to the BTec in that) plus other subjects obviously.

At the moment he also wants to go to a very specific University (University College of Football and Business) which is attached to Wembley to do a Sports Journalism Degree. It needs 112 UCAS points so we aren’t talking Oxford/Cambridge etc.

I would just rather he actually did A-Levels that he really wants to do and is likely to do well in rather than ones to fit a specific mould, however I’m also very aware that there is no point if it will stop him from progressing further.

The problem is we live very rurally with limited transport links, the only bus to get to the nearest other College or 6th form leaves at 6.45am and it’s at least a 25 minute walk to get to the bus stop. It gets back at 6 each day and I’m not sure that sort of long day is a great idea. The teaching itself is very good at the school, it’s more the cohort themselves are fairly low achieving so I would hope the ones that do go to the 6th Form are more like DS if that makes sense?

Fair enough re transport! And his current subjects will be absolutely fine if that particular course is his aim. However..... again ignore me if you want, but he can do much better than an academically weak college for his degree - Loughborough is the obvious choice. Does he need physics at all if plan B is sport journalism and plan A doesn't need it?

@titchy Tbh I have absolutely no idea, DS is my oldest and I never went to University (thanks to my Mum and Dad) so I don’t really have a clue. It’s not helping that no where is doing open evenings etc, I don’t quite know where to start. He basically picked the 3 subjects he likes the most and is likely to get the best grades in. He is brilliant at maths but has heard horror stories of A-Level maths and I think is slightly scared of failure so reluctant to do that at the moment. He doesn’t have to do physics but he needs to pick another one and it seemed the obvious choice because I don’t really know what other subject he could do.
Tbh I think he was swayed by the fact that UCFB is affiliated with Wembley and the opportunities that will give rather than the University itself. Again, I know nothing about which is better etc but I’m assuming a degree is a degree regardless of where you attend? What advantage would attending Loughborough etc? Apologies if that sounds ridiculous but I genuinely don’t know. He definitely isn’t Oxford/Cambridge material but is a fairly intelligent, well rounded, sporty 15 year old whose mother has no clue how to guide him!!

I think if he really wants it the transport is an issue, my now year 12 catches the 7.10am train and is back at 7.20pm. Whilst she is tired she is really motivated for the course and is working really hard and staff feed back us that she is doing really well.
Consider the other options too and weigh up the transport and the variety of options - then let him make the choice.

but I’m assuming a degree is a degree regardless of where you attend?

Well no, unfortunately. For some that lead to a professional qualification (nursing, teaching for example) it doesn't really matter in terms of employment. And some vocational degrees such as engineering are very well served by the former polytechnics with their industry links. And a lot of employers do 'institution blind' application forms.

But institution does often matter. Degrees aren't like A levels in that everyone takes the same exam. And that one isn't a university - it's a college who don't award their own degrees, largely attracting kids that are academically weak. It may well have great industry links, but I suspect not as good as they say. Certainly one to be careful of - visit and find out what their graduates are actually doing.

Loughborough has a strong sports focus and is much stronger academically - and I suspect it's graduates are much more sought after than UCFB.

But visit them both next year! Or the year after!

I've got a daughter studying in a similar ish field (vocational dance rather than sport) and and a son wanting to go the music route. In these areas you tend to rip up the rule book of which universities are more prestigious as its all about the training and the contacts you make. (In dance/MT its very important to go to somewhere with Spotlight eligibility).

I would definitely look into other college even if travel is involved. My dd left for school every day at 7am and arrived home between 7.30-7.45pm plus did Saturday school. It was very tough and ds would not have been able to cope with those days but she did it because she was at a school specialising in her thing (performing arts). From Year 12 onwards she did lodge there in the week (college didn't finish til 6pm each day) but she could not get that level of education anywhere else nearby.

OP: might your DS be interested in this competition? Goes up to Y11.

www.youngsportingwonders.com/#why