BTEC abroad

BTEC is a professional educational program, which are considered as the equivalent of GCSE at the 4th educational level (grades 10 and 11) and the equivalent of A-level at the 5th educational level (grades 12 and 13). The foreign students enrolled in the BTEC program perform practical work, the grades for which are taken into account when making final results. Some works are compulsory, other – for student’s choice.

BTEC is a diploma of secondary technical education (an analogue of our technical school). This qualification is awarded in a number of specialties, starting with the basics of business and ending with engineering (for example, "Social worker", "Flight operator", "Flight Attendant", "Tourism Manager").

Unlike the A-level program, which mainly includes theoretical disciplines, the BTEC program is focused on obtaining practical and professional knowledge and skills. According to the BTEC Business program, the students study real companies, learn to pass interviews, to make presentations, etc. According to the BTEC Sport program, the students analyze real sports results, train younger students and get an assessment of their own sports results.

The students of the BTEC course are evaluated mainly based on the results of their school work, and not on the results of official exams. All A-level exams are evaluated by external examiners, while only 40% of BTEC papers are subject to evaluation by external examiners, and only part of the grades are exam results.

The BTEC program is designed to instill in students the skills they need in further education or employment. The educational process combines project work with practical activities, which allows to instill students with teamwork skills and to develop creative thinking. More and more employers and higher education institutions are choosing candidates with BTEC qualifications for their academic and practical knowledge and skills. In the UK, more than 150 universities accept BTEC results on a par with A-Level results.

According to the BTEC level, it fully corresponds to the A-level. To enroll on the program, it is also necessary that the student has reached the age of 16 and has passed a certain number of GCSE exams. Often in terms of GCSE results, the requirements for admission to BTEC are slightly lower. This approach has developed due to historical reasons, when BTEC was considered as a professional training of school graduates for work. Moreover, the foreign student must demonstrate good knowledge of language.

Below there is provided information about reasons for choosing the BTEC program:

• To choose between BTEC and A Level or IGCSE, students must determine their preferred learning style. Some pass exams better, others prefer term papers, and some are good at both. The need to take a large number of exams in English at the end of a two-year program can be a difficult test for foreign students.
• It is important to take into account the requirements of high school and universities. It is necessary to follow the official information published by the school and universities.
• It should be remembered that every university and every employer have their own requirements – some prefer BTEC, and others A Level, or both are accepted.

• The foreign students continue to grow as a specialist in the tourism industry by enrolling in universities in the UK or continuing your studies at the next stage of the BTEC Higher National Diploma in Tourism.
• With a BEC certificate, the international students have every chance to enroll in the most prestigious university of hospitality and tourism in the UK - the University of Surrey, which has the highest rate of student employment.
• The students get a unique opportunity to build a career in tourism, hotel business, cargo transportation, air and rail transport, as well as to develop in such areas as marketing and personnel management.
• The student develops the term papers that are based on real business examples, which makes the student a confident specialist with a broad outlook.
• Teamwork is an important aspect of modern entrepreneurship. The student will learn to interact with other students through business games.
• Course flexibility: the educational material changes depending on the market situation, the students always stay up to date with the situation in the industry.

Below the BTEC school ranking is provided:

• Abbey DLD College London
• Abbey College Manchester
• RCG Royal Grammar School Guildford Dubai
• Wycliffe College
• Montreux International School (MIS).

BTEC program is offered in schools and colleges in many countries. Below the requirements for the foreign students are provided:

• Age 16-18 years
• Application in English
• Motivation letter
• Test in mathematics and other specialized subjects
• Language certificate
• Certificate of school education
• An extract from the report card with grades.

Sarah Hicklin

Director of International Admissions at Oswestry School

How much do parents usually spend per year apart from school and living fees?

If the child stays on campus for the holidays, this is usually paid separately, plus pocket money, plus additional EAL (English as a foreign language) classes. In total, approximately £ 150-750 per term.

The BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) program is a vocational education system that provides students with practical skills and knowledge in various fields such as business, technology, health care, and more.

The BTEC program is offered in many countries, including the UK and other European countries.

The BTEC program focuses on practical skills and preparation for specific occupational fields, which can increase your chances of employment after graduation.

The BTEC program includes a modular structure where students study a variety of modules in their chosen field, including theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

The BTEC program provides training in various fields such as business, information technology, health, engineering, art and design, sports and others.

The BTEC Extended Diploma is an advanced level of study that provides students with in-depth knowledge and practical skills in their chosen field.

The length of a BTEC program can vary depending on the level and intensity of study, but typically lasts between one and two years.

Yes, after the BTEC program, students can enter universities, usually depending on the course and requirements of the particular university.

Your choice of BTEC course depends on your interests and career plans. You can choose a program that matches the field that appeals to you.

The BTEC program provides practical skills and is vocationally oriented, while some other programs may be more academically oriented.