BTEC UCAS Points – How Do They Add Up?
Your BTEC qualification
The vast majority of students applying to university who have completed a BTEC course will have studied under the new Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) suite of qualifications, better known as Nationals. If you studied for your BTEC before 2011, then you will have studied under the old Nationals Qualifications Framework (NQF) classification.
The two systems are broadly similar, attracting similar BTEC UCAS points, but there are some important differences.
Changes to the BTEC UCAS points in 2011
Firstly, there was a new grade introduced, the D* or Distinction* grade, to match the new A* A-level grade which was first introduced in 2008. This means that there are now four grades of BTEC that qualify for BTEC UCAS points, ranging from D*, through distinction and merit to a simple pass.
Secondly, the categories were reclassified, from a three tier system under the NQF, to a five tier system under the new QFC. Awards were renamed as Subsidiary Diplomas, Certificates were renamed as 90 Credit Diplomas or Diplomas, and Diplomas were renamed as Extended Diplomas. A new lower category of Certificate was also introduced.
UCAS Points for BTEC Nationals
BTEC UCAS points gained under the NQF classification are awarded as follows:
|
Diploma |
Certificate |
Award |
UCAS |
A Level Equiv |
|
D D D |
|
|
360 |
A/A/A |
|
D D M |
|
|
320 |
A/B/B |
|
D M M |
|
|
280 |
B/B/C |
|
M M M |
D D |
|
240 |
C/C/C |
|
M M P |
D M |
|
200 |
C/D/D |
|
M P P |
M M |
|
160 |
D/D/E |
|
P P P |
M P |
D |
120 |
E/E/E or D/D |
|
|
P P |
M |
80 |
C or E/E |
|
|
|
P |
40 |
E |
D=Diploma M=Merit P=Pass
BTEC UCAS points gained under the new QCF classification are awarded as follows:
|
Extended Diploma |
Diploma |
90 Credit Diploma |
Subsidiary Diploma |
Certificate |
UCAS Points |
A Level Equiv |
|
D*D*D* |
|
|
|
|
420 |
A*/A*/A* |
|
D*D*D |
|
|
|
|
400 |
A*/A*/A |
|
D*DD |
|
|
|
|
380 |
A*/A/A |
|
DDD |
|
|
|
|
360 |
A/A/A |
|
DDM |
|
|
|
|
320 |
A/B/B |
|
DMM |
D*D* |
|
|
|
280 |
B/B/C |
|
|
D*D |
|
|
|
260 |
B/C/C |
|
MMM |
DD |
|
|
|
240 |
C/C/C |
|
|
|
D*D* |
|
|
210 |
C/C/D |
|
MMP |
DM |
D*D |
|
|
200 |
C/D/D |
|
|
|
DD |
|
|
180 |
D/D/D |
|
MPP |
MM |
DM |
|
|
160 |
D/D/E |
|
|
|
|
D* |
|
140 |
A* |
|
PPP |
MP |
MM |
D |
|
120 |
A |
|
|
|
MP |
|
|
100 |
B |
|
|
PP |
|
M |
|
80 |
C |
|
|
|
|
|
D* |
70 |
|
|
|
|
PP |
|
D |
60 |
D |
|
|
|
|
P |
M |
40 |
E |
|
|
|
|
|
P |
20 |
|
D*= Diploma* D=Diploma M=Merit P=Pass
BTECs – they are about more than just UCAS points
For many universities, BTEC UCAS points are just a part of the selection process, with a wide range of other factors considered when making their final decision.
Studying a BTEC can have a number of advantages in gaining a place:
- As well as demonstrating academic merit, BTEC qualifications also show universities that you have a good understanding of the practical applications of your knowledge.
- Choosing a BTEC also shows that you are strongly focused on your post-graduate career.
- And, unlike many purely academic students, BTEC holders have experienced the workplace and have a clear picture of where they are going. This can be very attractive to universities, as it gives students a strong motivation to work hard and complete their course.
