BTEC Application and Preparation
BTEC or Business and Technician Education Council offers a vocational qualification and further education qualification. Managed by Edexcel Pearson, which is the largest education organization in BTEC, it emphasizes practical skills. It is equivalent to vocational qualification in Thailand.
BTEC covers secondary school level to higher education of level 7 which is equivalent to undergraduate level. Offering a variety of 2,000 subjects, its core subjects include 16 major subject groups: applied science, art and design, business, childcare, construction, engineering, media, health and social care, hospitality, ICT, land-based, performing arts, public services, sport, and travel and tourism.
7 Levels of BTEC
Level 1 + Level 2 (BTEC First) For students 14-16 years old, equivalent to GCSE or IGCSE
Level 3 (BTEC Nationals) For students above 16 years old, equivalent to A-Level
Level 4 (BTEC Higher Nationals Certificate) For students above 18 years old, equivalent to year 1 in university
Level 4 + Level 5 (BTEC Higher Nationals Diploma) For students above 18 years old, equivalent to year 1-2 in university
Level 4- Level 7 (BTEC Professional) For students above 18 years old, the highest level of the program
The qualification can be used for job application. Moreover, those who would like to pursuit university can study to complete level 5 and continue with the last year in university.
What are the differences among BTEC, A-Level, IB, and GED?
| Details | BTEC | IB (Diploma Programme) |
GED | A-Level |
| Curriculum | UK | Universally applicable | USA | UK |
| Equivalency | BTEC First equivalent to GCSE, IGCSE BTEC National equivalent to A-Level BTEC Higher National equivalent to diploma |
High school grade 12 | High school grade 12 | High school grade 12 |
| Study approach | Study and take exams at school, but home schooling in Thailand has no clear stipulation yet | Study and take exam at school Home schooling not applicable |
No GED provided in schools in Thailand, but it can be acquired at tutorial schools | – Can be acquired through studies and exams at school, or – Study at tutorial schools |
| Number of required subject tests | Range from 120-240 credits depending on BTEC type | – 6 subjects (mixed between Higher Level and Standard Level) – TOK 100 hours + Essay 1,200 – 1,600 words – Extended Essay 4,000 words |
4 subjects ( Language Arts, Science , Social Studies, and Math) | At least 3 subjects (choose any) |
| Exam period | According to school’s semester | According to school’s semester | Exam available everyday Many times a day |
Twice a year: May-June, and October-November |
| Score system | P – Pass M – Merit D – Distinction U – Unclassified T – Transferred credit – Score announcement by school |
45 points from – Full score of 7/subject – TOK and Extended Essay 3 points – Score announcement by school |
800 points from – Full score of 200/subject – Pass at 145/subject – Scores announced right after the test |
A* – E – A* is the highest – Scores announced 2 months after |
| Exam approach | Depending on school’s stipulation | Depending on school’s stipulation | Students can choose time and subject order | Follow test venue’s schedule |
| Test fees | School’s policy | School’s policy | $75/subject | Varying from 6,035 THB/subject to 6,915 THB/subject, or 9,430 THB/subject |
