Are T-Levels replacing BTECS?

Both BTECs and T-levels provide you with practical qualifications and are the vocational subjects that you can take after completing GCSEs. This means that you have to decide which one you need to do after completing GCSEs. But you must make sure that you select the right option as many people have doubts about if T-levels replacing BTECS. Let us find out if this is true or not.

Quick Takeaways

• In 2021 the government announced that there are many subjects in BTECs that are overlapping with the new qualifications in t-levels. 
• They have announced that BTECs should be withdrawn from government funding and must be replaced by T-levels. 
• By 2024 BTECs may be fully changed in T-levels.

However, make sure to read till the end so that you do not miss any important facts related to T-levels replacing BTECS.

How are BTECs different from the T-levels?

As already discussed above that both BTECs and T-levels are all vocational qualifications that you can take after completing your GCSEs. Both of the qualifications offer you advance to level 3 courses and most of them are equal to the 3 A-levels. However, the only difference between both qualifications is the period of experience you get. In your BTECS, you usually get shorter work experience. However, in your T-levels, you will get a long period of industry placement which may last up to 3 months. Therefore T-levels are job-oriented qualifications.

Are T-levels replacing BTECS?

T-levels are the new vocational qualifications that were launched in 2020. However, in 2021, the government decided to take out the BTEC levels from public funding. They have decided to make necessary changes in T-levels so that it helps you to choose the right path for you. Thus in the coming future, the BTEC qualification will get replaced with the T-levels.

However, the cut of BTEC qualifications was first introduced in 2019 and it was offered by DfE. BTECs are replaced by T-levels because they will help you and getting more practical and theoretical knowledge in the specific field. T-levels will also help you in performing various actual things that you will have to do in your job. 

Which BTECs are being removed?

The government has given a list of 160 subjects of BTECs that overlaps T-levels according to them. According to them, the plan to withdraw most BTECs will occur in 2024. Some of the qualifications that are overlapping with T-levels and will lose funding from the government are given below-

• Computer science 
• Business information systems 
• Children’s play, learning, and development
• Construction and built environment
• Networking and Architecture
• ICT systems and principals

Is BTEC better than the T-levels?

From the beginning, we are being discussing that both BtECs and T-levels are vocational subjects and provide you with practical knowledge. However, to identify which one is better you need to know the differences in both of the qualifications. Starting with the structure of both qualifications BTECs help balance practical and theoretical knowledge. However, T-levels involve the teaching style of BTECs along with industry placement. 

To enroll in BTECs you will need simple pass grades in 4 GCSEs whereas to get into t-levels, you will need high pass grades in 5 GCSEs. This may be a drawback if you have not scored well in your GCSEs. Most universities and employers look for students who have taken apprenticeship programs. Therefore taking up t-levels will help you to get admission to university or you may go straight into the working line. Though you may get a clear picture of it after reading the benefits and drawbacks of both qualifications.

Benefits and drawbacks of BTECS

The following are the benefits of BTECs-

• The biggest advantage and reason why most students take it is that it does not have much of formal exams. However, in very rare cases you may get to see formal exams and therefore you must do proper research before taking it. 
• This qualification helps to bring balance between academics and real-world application. 
• If you have level 3 BTEC you can easily get into universities including Oxford. However, in some cases, you may need to have a single A-level qualification to enter the university.

The following are the drawbacks of BTECs-

• The biggest drawback of taking up BTEC is that not all universities accept it. Thus you must try to take up a single A-level with it to make your application stronger.
• BTECs are focused on specific topics of the subject and do not give you an understanding of other related topics of the subject. 

Benefits and drawbacks of T-levels

The following are the benefits of T-levels-

• The biggest advantage of taking a t-level is that it will help you to get ready for the walking load that you get in the specific type of job. 
• It will help you to cover the syllabus related to BTEC along with the work placement that you get in the apprenticeship. 
• Taking up t-levels will help you to understand what the jobs in various sectors look like and how will be doing your job role.

The following are the drawbacks of T-levels-

• As you need to complete a project in BTECs, you will need to complete the project in T-levels. 
• You will have to take two exams for this qualification also. Therefore if you are avoiding your A-levels just avoid exams it may not be that worthy.

Conclusion

T-levels are the extension qualification for BTECs. The things that you study in BTECS including the course work are the same in T-levels. However, it provides you with more duration of industrial placement. In 2021 the government decided to replace BTEC qualifications with A-levels. It has given 160 subjects that overlap with T-levels and is being removed from BTECs. Therefore in the coming future BTECs will be replaced by T-levels.