This page contains information on how BTECs are named on the NQF and QCF frameworks.
How are BTECs named?
BTEC qualifications are given different names at different levels. The table below shows how the BTEC qualification names correspond with the education levels on the National Qualification Framework (NQF) and the Qualification Credit Framework (QCF).
Where the same BTEC name is listed at different levels, it is because that qualification is available at more than one level. For example, you can do a BTEC Professional Qualification at levels 4, 5, 6 and 7.
|
Level |
Name of BTEC |
|
Entry |
BTEC Entry |
|
1 |
BTEC Introductory |
|
2 |
BTEC Firsts
BTEC Specialist Qualifications |
|
3 |
BTEC Nationals
BTEC Specialist Qualifications |
|
4 |
BTEC Higher Nationals
BTEC Professional Qualifications
BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design |
|
5 |
BTEC Higher Nationals
BTEC Professional Qualifications |
|
6 |
BTEC Professional Qualifications |
|
7 |
BTEC Professional Qualifications |
BTEC National course titles
The BTEC Nationals have different titles on the two frameworks. The following table shows how they compare:
|
NQF BTEC Nationals |
QCF BTEC Nationals |
A level size equivalence |
|
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Subsidiary Award |
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Certificate |
0.5 x A level |
|
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award |
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma |
1 x A level |
|
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Subsidiary Certificate |
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 90-credit Diploma |
1.5 x A levels |
|
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Certificate |
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma |
2 x A levels |
|
Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Diploma |
Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma |
3 x A levels |