BTEC and T-level changes: What does this mean for your future career?

Why is the government stopping certain BTECs?

The Government has announced it’s stopping the funding for over 200 post-GCSE vocational qualifications, because they overlap with T-levels subjects. Over the next two years T-levels like Finance, ing, and Engineering and Manufacturing will be rolled out in England, but you’ll no longer be able to enrol for certain BTEC and other level 3 qualifications in similar subject areas.

These changes to BTECs could affect you if:

• you’re currently considering your post-GCSE options
• you’re interested in technical or vocational post-GCSE options
• you’re thinking of taking a course that’s being defunded
• you’re already enrolled on a course that’s being defunded.

What’s the difference between T-levels and BTECs?

A T-level is a technical vocational qualification for 16 to 19-year-olds. It’s taken over two years and focuses more on practical subjects than academic ones, like construction, education or healthcare. One T-level is roughly equivalent to three A-levels.

A BTEC is a type of work-related practical qualification (there are other similar vocational qualifications available). You can study different levels from the age of 14:

• level 2 BTEC first: equivalent to GCSEs
• level 3 BTEC national extended certificate: equivalent to one A-level
• level 3 BTEC national diploma: equivalent to two A-levels
• level 3 extended diploma: equivalent to three A-levels.

You could choose to study for a mix of BTECs and A-levels. With BTECs, you could change your plans after one year but still gain a qualification and some UCAS points. T-levels are generally seen as an alternative option to A-levels and you’ll need to commit to two years. Both T-levels and BTECs offer work placements.

Entry requirements vary, but for most BTECs and other level 3 vocational qualifications you’ll need at least four GCSEs at grade 9 to 4 (including English, Maths and a relevant subject) or the equivalent, like BTec firsts and Cambridge nationals.

For T-levels, schools and colleges set their own entry requirements, but if you haven’t already got grade 4 in GCSE English and Maths, you’ll work towards those during your T-level. Some colleges also ask for grade 5 or above in a specific subject relevant to that T-level course.

Generally, T-levels are assessed in a similar way to A-levels, through coursework and exams, as well as completing the industry placement, whereas BTECs tend to be assessed by unit as you go along, with a mixture of assignments, tasks and tests.

When are these changes to BTECs happening?

There are two defunding phases:

• 1 August 2024: you’ll no longer be able to enrol on 134 courses that overlap with wave 1 and 2 T-levels like Health and Science, Construction and the Built Environment, Digital, Education and Childcare. That includes qualifications like NOCN Level 3 Diploma in Healthcare and EAL Level 3 Advanced Diploma in Plumbing. See the full list of courses affected on gov.uk

• 1 August 2025: you’ll no longer be able to enrol on 85 courses that overlap with wave 3 T-levels in Business and istration, Engineering and Manufacturing, Finance and ing. This includes courses like Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Engineering, City & Guilds Level 3 Diploma in Advanced Manufacturing Engineering (Development Knowledge), and AAT Level 3 Diploma in ing. See the full list of courses affected on gov.uk.

What should I do now?

Rest assured there are knowledgeable professionals on hand to guide you to a route that’s best suited to you. – Sonia Riyait, careers adviser

If you’re worried a course you’re interested in is being defunded, check out the government lists above, then speak to your teacher or careers adviser about your options.

Sonia Riyait is a careers adviser at Leicester College. She says if your local college is no longer offering a particular course, they’ll be able to point you in the direction of another college offering that course, or help you find another qualification that’s best suited to you. A T-level might be one of those alternative options.

"Things do change in education and they always have done, but rest assured there are knowledgeable professionals on hand to guide you to a route that’s best suited to you.”

Amy Bugdale is careers lead at Sprowston Community Academy and Sewell Park Academy in Norfolk. She says not to worry if you’re already enrolled on a course that’s due to be defunded – employers will still recognise your qualification and are used to the titles of qualifications changing.

She advises students to research all the facts before g up to any vocational post-GCSE course:

“Make sure you look at the course content:

• do the modules link to the job you think it’s going to lead to?
• what will you be covering in the course?
• how is the course split
• how much is coursework and how much exams?”

If you’re worried about switching to a T-level course instead of a BTEC or other level 3 qualification, speak to a careers adviser and look closely at the course details. Some questions to ask are:

• What are the entry requirements?
• What is the teaching style?
• What kind of assessments will you have to do?
• Will exams be written essays or multiple choice?

Get as much information as you can so you can check it’s a course that suits you. Also check the T-level is recognised by the university or employer you want to end up with. You can also do a T-level one-year transition programme at some colleges if you’re worried about the entry requirements, or you need to get a grade 5 GCSE in a relevant subject, for example.

In summary — changes from BTEC to T-levels

• Check which courses are being defunded
• Speak to your teacher or careers adviser
• Research courses you’re interested in and find out as many facts as you can
• Check the course you want to do is recognised by the university you want to go to, or that it’ll lead you to the career you want to do
• For vocational qualifications, check how much work experience there is and how the exams and coursework are split
• Think about other things too, like how far away the college or sixth form is, and the practicalities of getting to your work placements
• Try not to worry – changes in educational qualifications are common, and employers, colleges and universities are used to it.