School Curricula Guides

BTEC

BTEC qualifications are a vocational path into Higher Education or the world of work. The qualifications originate from the UK and are a well-regarded alternative to traditional A Level or IB courses for Post 16 students.
BTEC
Country of Origin: United Kingdom
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What is a BTEC?

BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council. The BTEC Extended Diploma qualification represents a vocational alternative to A Levels or IB (whereas BTEC First courses are equivalent to GCSEs).  Currently BTEC qualifications are offered by the Pearson Edexcel Exam Board.

BTEC qualifications can be studied as double awards (equivalent to 2 A Levels) or triple awards (equivalent to 3 A Levels). Students may also choose to study for an A Level qualification to complement their BTEC studies and attract a higher UCAS point score.

In the UK, the BTEC suite of qualifications also extends to BTEC Apprenticeships, which offer a balance of ‘on and off the job’ training in a specific career. At present, such apprenticeships are not available in the UAE.

BTEC courses are best suited to those students who have a strong leaning to a particular career or sector. In addition, the courses may well suit those students who demonstrate their talents best through ongoing assessment rather than in high stakes examinations. BTEC courses typically consist of 18 modules, for which students submit coursework to demonstrate competency.

More than 95% of UK universities accept BTEC qualifications. Some high performing universities require students to have an A Level in addition to BTEC, and students who have particular interest in a specific institution are advised to check this with the university prior to commencing their Post 16 studies.

What BTEC subjects are available?

In the UK, BTECs are offered in a broad spectrum of diverse subjects areas such as Land Management, Media, Childcare and Construction. In the UAE, schools typically offer BTECs in one or more of; Art & Design, Business, Sport and Performing Arts.

How is BTEC graded?

BTECs final grades are split into three and may be awared in any combination of 'Starred Distinction, Distinction, Merit and Pass'. A top performing student would receive three Starred Distinction grades. Other students may receive award combinations such as Merit, Merit, Pass. Each grade attracts a different UCAS tariff and is described as being equivalent to a certain level of A Level grades. The table below demonstrates this:

BTEC grade UCAS tariff UCAS equivalence to A-Level Equivalence to A-Level
Starred distinction 56 A* A
Distinction 48 A Between B and C
Merit 32 C Between C and D
Pass 16 E Between D and E

There are an increasing number of UAE school now offering BTEC qualifications alongside the more traditional academic routes.  

 

42 UAE Schools offering BTEC

School name Community City
Arcadia School Jumeirah Village Triangle Dubai
Bloom World Academy Dubai Al Barsha South Dubai
Brighton College Al Ain Gafat Al Nayyar Al Ain
British International School Abu Dhabi Shakhbout City Abu Dhabi
British School Al Khubairat, Abu Dhabi Al Khubairat Abu Dhabi
Cambridge International School Dubai Al Twar Dubai
Deira International School Festival City Dubai
Diyafah International School MBZ Mohammed Bin Zayed City Abu Dhabi
Dubai British School Emirates Hills Emirates Hills Dubai
Dubai British School Jumeira Al Safa Dubai
Dubai British School Jumeirah Park Jumeirah Park Dubai
Dubai English Speaking College Dubai Academic City Dubai
Dubai International Academy Emirates Hills Emirates Hills Dubai
GEMS FirstPoint School The Villa Dubai
GEMS Founders School Dubai Al Barsha South Dubai
GEMS Metropole School Al Waha Al Waha Dubai
GEMS Wellington Academy Al Khail Dubai Hills Estate Dubai
GEMS Wellington Academy, Dubai Silicon Oasis Dubai Silicon Oasis Dubai
GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai Al Sufouh Dubai
Jumeira Baccalaureate School Jumeirah 1 Dubai
Jumeirah English Speaking School Arabian Ranches Arabian Ranches Dubai
Kent College Dubai Nad al Sheba Dubai
Minerva's Virtual Academy Dubai Academic City Dubai
PACE Creative British School Ajman Al Tallah 2 Ajman
Pristine Private School Al Nahda Dubai
Raffles International School Umm Suqeim Dubai
Raffles World Academy Umm Suqeim Dubai
Reach British School Baniyas East Abu Dhabi
Regent International School The Greens Dubai
Repton (Fry Campus), Junior & Senior School, Abu Dhabi Al Reem Island Abu Dhabi
Safa Community School Motor City Dubai
Sharjah English School University City Sharjah
South View School Remraam Dubai
Star International School Al Qusais Al Qusais Dubai
Sunmarke School Jumeirah Village Triangle Dubai
Swiss International Scientific School Dubai Dubai Healthcare City Phase 2 Dubai
The Aquila School The Villa Dubai
The Arbor School Al Furjan Dubai
The English College Dubai Umm Suqeim Dubai
The Sheffield Private School Al Nahda Dubai
The Winchester School Jebel Ali Dubai
Yasmina British Academy Al Raha Gardens Abu Dhabi

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