Employers value BTEC National Diplomas, and you should be able to go straight into a job.
LEVEL 2: The Level 2 BTEC National Diploma is roughly equal to four or five GCSEs grades A-C.
LEVEL 3: This course is equivalent to three A Levels. It will earn you UCAS points so you can go on to take a BTEC HND/HNC or an honours degree at university.
There are four subject areas for you to choose from that are linked to different career paths. There are no exams, but you will be assessed through regular assignments based on work-related situations or practical activities. This might involve you going out in the workplace to get experience sometimes. The courses are designed to give you the skills and knowledge needed for employment.
LEVEL 3: You can do a Diploma course on its own or choose an A Level to run alongside it.
Careers: Journalism, The Media, Marketing, Theatre
Are you creative, imaginative and a good communicator? If so, this course will certainly appeal to you. Topics range from visual arts to media production, creative and media skills, presentation and performance arts. You’ll be learning new skills, discovering how to follow a brief and developing your own creative ideas.
Careers: Coaching, Exercise and Fitness, Sports Development
With the Olympics being staged in London in 2012, there has never been a better time to consider a sports career. This sector outperforms the rest of the UK economy and currently employs more 600,000 full and part time employees. You will develop skills, techniques and attitudes essential for success in a sports career.
Careers: Business Management, Accountancy, Computers
At Level 2 you will learn the basic skills necessary for a career in business, finance or ICT. We're very proud of our Level 3 course – set by Careers Academy UK – as it is completely unique in the area and has already been very successful in the US. The idea started with a large American bank which was concerned that school leavers didn’t have the right skills they needed when they started jobs. Working with major employers, a new programme was introduced which teaches everything from creative thinking to time management and workplace practices. During your course you will have the opportunity of an internship with a large UK company so that you get valuable experience and mentoring in a real work situation.
Careers: Nursing, Midwifery, Childcare
You'll be learning about a wide range of subjects that will be very useful if you are thinking about going on to work in a hospital, care home or nursery. Subjects include caring for children and for older people, nutrition, complementary therapies, infection prevention and control and physiological disorders.
