In 2018, some students will be applying to higher education with the old Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) BTECs (particularly those taking the Extended Diploma), and some with the new revised BTEC Nationals. The proportions overall are likely to be around 60% taking the QCF qualifications, to 40% taking the reformed Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) versions.
Our new guide to UK qualification reform, and our vocational qualifications flyer for teachers and advisers, may provide useful context when considering these qualifications.
Student outcomes
Reformed BTEC Nationals have different titles in Apply – view the details in bulletin 444.
As you are aware, a small number of students completed these new qualifications in 2017 (the majority of whom had taken the BTEC National Extended Certificate – equivalent to one A level in size).
Three subjects – applied science, business, and health and social care – had a significant number of candidates, and produced meaningful outcomes in this first year. The table below compares the grade profiles for the RQF Extended Certificates with the QCF Subsidiary Diplomas in these subjects. Please note, a few hundred candidates completed the RQF qualifications, while several thousand completed each of the QCF qualifications.
| New RQF Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate (cumulative percentages) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Subject | D* | D | M | P | U |
| Applied science | 3.8% | 19.7% | 52.6% | 66.1% | 100% |
| Business | 3.1% | 27% | 64.8% | 76.7% | 100% |
| Health and social care | 2.6% | 19.6% | 54.8% | 71.8% | 100% |
| QCF BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma (cumulative percentages) | |||||
| Subject | D* | D | M | P | U |
| Applied science | 37% | 51.1% | 66.6% | 78.2% | 100% |
| Business | 40.4% | 55.3% | 68.2% | 80.2% | 100% |
| Health and social care | 46.1% | 56.9% | 69.5% | 80.8% | 100% |
Those completing the RQF qualifications this summer were part of an atypical cohort, because:
- only small numbers completed one-year programmes
- students did not have the opportunity to resit the external assessments
Pearson has advised it expects, when normal cohorts complete these qualifications, that all RQF pass grade percentages are likely to show some increase. However, it should also be noted that Pearson expects:
- the proportions achieving pass and merit grades (cumulative percentages) are likely to reach a similar level to the QCF outcomes
- the proportions achieving distinction and distinction* grades are likely to continue to be significantly lower than the QCF outcomes