Sixth Form Subjects

BTECs (Business and Technology Education Council) and Cambridge Technicals (CTechs) are vocational Level 3 qualifications, equivalent in level to A Levels. The key difference is assessment: while most A Levels are assessed mainly through final examinations at the end of Upper Sixth, BTECs and CTechs are assessed throughout the course, with a significant coursework element alongside exams.

BTECs and CTechs are graded as Distinction*, Distinction, Merit and Pass. The difference between them lies solely in the exam board: BTECs are awarded by Pearson, and CTechs by OCR.

Cheltenham College offers Cambridge Technicals (CTechs) in Business and Sport & Physical Activity, and BTECs in Applied Psychology and Information Technology.

BTECs and CTechs are assessed through a combination of coursework and externally assessed exams, with coursework typically contributing 60–70% of the final grade. All vocational qualifications now include exams, although these carry a smaller weighting than coursework.

Assessments are modular, meaning exams can be taken at different points during the course and, if necessary, retaken to improve results. At Cheltenham College, many pupils sit at least one module in January of Lower Sixth, with a resit opportunity in June.

BTECs and CTechs can be particularly well suited to pupils who thrive with continuous assessment or find fully exam-based qualifications challenging. Benefits include:

• A balance of coursework and exams

• Opportunities to retake modular assessments

• No official GCSE grade requirements

• Courses often completed by the Spring Term of Upper Sixth, allowing focus on other subjects

• Strong outcomes, with many pupils achieving higher grades or UCAS points than they might through equivalent A Levels

Pupils who perform well in coursework-based GCSE subjects, or who benefit from structured deadlines and applied learning, may find BTECs and CTechs particularly suitable. However, these courses require good organisation and motivation, as pupils manage multiple submission deadlines across the two years.

BTECs and CTechs are taught by the same experienced subject specialists who teach GCSE and A Level courses, ensuring the same high academic standards and depth of subject knowledge.

Some highly selective universities prefer pupils to study one vocational qualification alongside two A Levels. However, the majority of UK universities accept applications from pupils offering any combination of A Levels, BTECs and CTechs. Individual guidance is provided to ensure pupils select the most appropriate pathway.

Many UK universities, including some Russell Group institutions, accept BTECs and CTechs, although entry requirements vary and some require two A Levels alongside a vocational qualification. A small number of universities, such as Imperial College London, do not accept vocational qualifications, while others apply strict conditions.

Acceptance overseas varies. Many European universities, and some US and Australian institutions, do not accept vocational qualifications. Pupils are always advised to check individual course and country requirements carefully.

BTECs and CTechs carry UCAS points in the same way as A Levels:

• Distinction*: 56 UCAS points

• Distinction: 48 UCAS points

• Merit: 32 UCAS points

• Pass: 16 UCAS points

Some universities base offers on grades rather than UCAS points, so pupils should always check individual entry requirements.