Remember when you made a paper mâché exploding volcano in year two? That’s when you realised science could be fun, exciting, and maybe even a little bit dangerous.
Then came the non-supervised experiments with Coca-Cola and Mentos. You definitely remember your mum’s face when she saw the state of the backyard; that was dangerous for an entirely different reason!
Now you’re doing your GCSEs, you’ve decided for definite: you actually quite like science. Even when it doesn’t involve explosions and Bunsen burners.
It makes sense of the world in a way many other subjects don’t, and you can see how it might be useful in the real world.
But what do those other confusing letters and words mean? B-T-E-C? Applied? Explain, please!
BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council as this was the name of the exam board when BTECs were first thought up in the Dark Ages (AKA 1984).
The idea was that they were practical, vocational qualifications. Whilst A-levels were more theoretical and classroom-based, BTECs were designed to be hands-on, so students could get more of a sense of what a subject was like in the real world.
Although it’s taken a while for BTECs to gain the same respect as A-levels, BTECs are now seen as an alternative pathway into work and further education.
Yes, the BTEC in Applied Science is equivalent to at least one A-level. Make sure you find out which BTEC Applied Science qualification your local schools and colleges offer though as there are variations.
For example, Pearson’s BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Applied Science is worth 1.5 A-levels. It will sit alongside other subjects just like an A-level would.
On the other hand, the Level 3 Extended Certificate in Applied Science is equivalent to 3 A-levels and will take two years. Universities recognise it, and it’s an alternative to taking three separate A-levels.
A few other BTECs in Applied Science include:
So, you can see that getting the right BTEC for you is really important.
BTEC Applied Science is so-called because it’s science applied to a real-world scenario. So if you’re ready to take classroom science into the real world, this BTEC could be for you.
You should walk away from the BTEC in Applied Science with a solid understanding not just of science as a concept but as a tool in the workplace. This will build your confidence for the real deal!
Because the course is more practical, there will be lab work involved, and you will be assessed externally (i.e. exams), internally (your teachers will mark you) and synoptically. Synoptic assessment will ask you to apply what you have learned from the BTEC in a realistic context.
Whereas A-levels in sciences ask you to specialise in chemistry, physics or biology, with the BTEC Applied Science, you can keep your options wider. If you aren’t sure which area of science you want to work in, the BTEC in Applied Science will let you continue to learn all three disciplines.
BTEC Applied Science will help you to build transferable skills too. Alongside hands-on lab work, you will hone your research skills and present information clearly and in an appropriate format. You’ll also develop your ability to write essays and communicate effectively using proper English.
Even if you decide later to move away from the sciences, this expertise will set you up well for a future career.
A BTEC in Applied Science can set you up for work, an apprenticeship or a degree. Most universities, including Russell Group universities, accept BTECs.
If you have a clear plan to work in the sciences, BTEC Applied Science could be an excellent alternative to A-levels. You could work in engineering, forensic science, sports science, healthcare, pharmaceuticals – indeed nearly every area of science.
There are certainly times when an A-level might be a better choice. If you want to be a doctor, most medical schools specifically ask for A-levels rather than BTECs.
Similarly, some veterinary schools will not take BTECs. Therefore, it’s important to consider your plans going forward and to research the universities you might like to apply to before you decide between BTECs and A-levels.
It might also be worth considering how certain you are about your science pathway before committing to the diploma in BTEC Applied Science (remember – that one is worth three A-levels). If you choose to complete a two-year science course, your skills (though transferable) might be more limited than if you chose three separate subjects.
For most people, the grading system will feel a bit odd. After years of dealing with grades from 1-9 and hearing about A* - Us, the BTEC grading system is different.
BTECs are graded from a distinction* to pass. In between these grades are a distinction and a merit.
To gain a place at university, you’ll need to gain a certain number of UCAS (University and College Admission Service) points. You will find the magic number for the course you plan to apply for on the university’s course pages.
Pearson exam board’s handy UCAS point comparison table shows that A-levels and BTECs are very similar.
For example, if you studied three A-levels and gained three A*s, you would gain 168 UCAS points. Similarly, if you gained a D* (distinction star) in your BTEC diploma you would actually be gaining a D*D*D* since it’s worth three A-levels, which is also worth (drumroll please): 168 UCAS points.
Consider the BTEC in Applied Sciences if:
Think carefully if:
If you do decide to go for this subject, you aren’t alone. One of our tutors can help you to succeed in what will be an incredibly challenging course.
So, inhabit that little kid who was excited by the paper mâché volcano (and the Mentos…), and go forth to tackle the next step in your scientific journey!
