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Top-ups and transfers 

Guidance and listings on top-ups and transfer from BTEC qualifications on the NQF, and the transition to the QCF.

Please note that the last date for requesting top-ups for learners originally registered on NQF BTEC First Certificates, National Awards and National Certificates is 31 December 2010.
 

expand What is a top-up?

Where a learner has completed a BTEC qualification and wants to extend this to a larger qualification from the same specification suite, re-using the units from the first qualification, this is known as a top-up.
 
For example, a learner who has received a certificate for an NQF BTEC First Certificate may top-up to the NQF BTEC First Diploma on the same specification.
expand So how is this different from a transfer?

A transfer is where the learner transfers their registration from one BTEC course to another, before they have received a certificate for the original course.
 
For example, a learner registered on an NQF BTEC First Diploma may only complete the NQF BTEC First Certificate, and be transferred from the NQF BTEC First Diploma to the NQF BTEC First Certificate.
expand When do I need to top up my NQF learners?

Learners registered before September 2010, on NQF BTEC Firsts and Nationals, will be able to top up to larger NQF BTEC Firsts and Nationals until 31 December 2010.
 
After this date, learners will not be able to top up to the NQF qualification and will have to be moved over to the new, replacement QCF qualification.
 
Therefore, it is absolutely crucial that you process all of your BTEC NQF top-ups before 31 December 2010.
 
The list of top-ups available can be found in List A.
 
To top up a learner, select the “Top-up” option from the Candidates Menu within the BTEC tab on Edexcel Online.
expand What about new learners registered on NQF BTECs from 1 September 2010?

In a limited number of sectors, the NQF qualifications will be available for new registrations until 31 December 2010, either because the QCF replacement qualification will not be available until January 2011 or because an extension has been agreed for registration of 14-19 learners.
 
Learners will still only be able to top up onto the larger NQF qualifications until the accreditation end date (31 December 2010).
 
In these cases, we would recommend that you register the learner on the larger qualification (e.g. First Diploma), if the learner is likely to achieve this, and drop down to the smaller qualification (e.g. First Certificate) after 31 December 2010 if necessary.
expand When do I need to ask for a transfer?

Transfer will work as in previous years.
 
Learners registered before 1 September 2010 are permitted to transfer between NQF Awards, Certificates and Diplomas.
 
For example, learners registered on an NQF BTEC First Diploma who only complete the NQF BTEC First Certificate, or learners registered on a NQF BTEC National Diploma who only complete the NQF BTEC National Certificate, can transfer to the smaller qualification.
 
To request transfers between NQF BTEC courses, email serviceoperations@edexcel.com with the learner’s BTEC registration number and the programme number to which you wish to transfer the learner.
 
You should request the transfer as soon as you are aware that the learner needs it and before the last certification date for the qualification.

 

 
Notes

  1. The new QCF replacements for the NQF BTEC Firsts and Nationals will be available for first teaching in September 2010. Centres should be registering any NEW learners on these qualifications.
     
  2. Once learners are started on a learning aim, even if the accreditation end date is passed, the learner remains eligible for funding of that aim until they complete that qualification, or until the certification end date is passed.
     
  3. For top-ups, centres using the Learning Aim Database (LAD) can use the Edexcel conversion codes (learning aim class codes) that begin ZN/F to top up a learner from a smaller to a larger NQF qualification. The LAD will shortly be updated to show a ‘last date for new starts’ against the conversion codes. This will be 31 December 2010, in line with the expiry of the NQF qualifications.
     
  4. For transfers from NQF to QCF qualifications, centres using the LAD can use field A51a of the ILR (‘Proportion of funding remaining’). This enables the aim to be recorded and funding adjusted as appropriate and enables accurate recording of the qualification taken.
     
  5. The top-up arrangements will not impact on the transition arrangements for the Skills Funding Agency. The qualifications that are on the turn-off list for new starts from the 31 July 2010 will remain unfunded for new starts (or top-ups).

 

 
Downloadable guides

 Top-ups and transfer from BTEC qualifications on the NQF, and transition to QCF

 List A - Top-ups available until 31 December 2010