BTEC results explained

Understanding your BTEC results

There are many different kinds of BTEC course, from entry level to postgraduate level qualifications. A BTEC is made up of a number of separate units which can be combined together into a qualification.

If you began studying your BTEC before 1 September 2010, the following will apply.

Unit Results
A pass in a BTEC unit is graded as either Pass, Merit or Distinction. Where the standard for a Pass is not met, then the unit is graded as Unclassified.

Overall Qualification Results
The following BTEC qualifications have overall grades as well as individual unit grades.

BTEC Introductory Certificates and Diplomas

These have overall grades of Distinction (D), Merit (M) or Pass (P). These are equivalent to GCSEs at grades D to G.

Qualification	Overall grade	GCSE equivalence
Introductory Certificate	D M P	Two GCSEs at grade D to G
Introductory Diploma	D M P	Four GCSEs at grade D to G

BTEC equivalences

BTEC First Certificates and Diplomas

These have overall grades of Distinction* (D*), Distinction (D), Merit (M) or Pass (P). These are equivalent to GCSEs at grades A* to C.

Qualification	Overall grade	GCSE equivalence
BTEC First Certificate	D* D M P	Two GCSEs at grade A to C
BTEC First Diploma	D* D M P	Four GCSEs at grade A to C

BTEC National Awards, Certificates and Diplomas

These have overall grades of Distinction (D), Merit (M) or Pass (P). BTEC National Awards have a single grade, BTEC National Certificates have a double grade and BTEC National Diplomas have a triple grade. They are equivalent to GCE A level grades of A to E.

Qualification	Overall grade	GCE equivalence	UCAS Points
National Award	D M P	One A level	120 80 40
National Certificate*	D, D D, M M, M M, P P, P	Two A levels	240 200 160 120 80
National Diploma*	D, D, D D, D, M D, M, M M, M, M M, M, P M, P, P P, P, P	Three A levels	360 320 280 240 200 160 120

* National Certificate and Diploma in Early Years may attract additional UCAS points. See UCAS tariff for further details.

BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design

These have overall grades of Distinction (D), Merit (M) or Pass (P). The Universities & Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) has allocated points to the BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design so that it is accepted for entry on many art and design degree courses.

Qualification	Overall grade	UCAS Points
BTEC Foundation Diploma in Art and Design	D M P	285 225 165

When will I receive my BTEC Certificate?


	BTEC certificates are issued weekly to schools and colleges. When your school or college applies for your BTEC certificate, they will receive it within the next 2 weeks.

Didn't get the BTEC grades you wanted?

Your BTEC unit grades are assessed by your teacher. If any of your BTEC unit grades are lower than you were expecting, you should speak to your teacher. After all the teaching that you have had, they are in the best position to advise you.

Your BTEC overall grade is arrived at by adding together your unit grades. If you think that your overall grade is incorrect, you should speak with your teacher or examinations officer. If there is a problem, they will contact Edexcel.

Can I get a copy of my BTEC assignments/portfolio?


	Yes, you can ask your centre to hand back any portfolio/assignments that you have submitted, if they have not done so already.

Can I get my BTEC assignments/portfolio re-marked?


	If you think that the marks for any of your units are incorrect, please speak to your teacher. BTEC unit grades are internally assessed by your teacher, so you should speak to them if you think anything is wrong. They will have a policy regarding any disputes about BTEC marks.

What are my university clearing options?


	When we have processed your BTEC results, if it is a BTEC on the UCAS tariff, then Edexcel sends them to UCAS. Along with results from any other awarding bodies, UCAS will automatically forward your results to the universities and colleges where you are holding offers. For more information on what happens next, visit the UCAS website. What is clearing? Clearing is a UCAS service that matches students to courses that still have places available. It runs from mid-July until September and is a real option if you didn’t apply for university or still want to go to, but didn’t get the grades you needed. For more information on whether you can apply through clearing, speak to your careers or Connexions advisor or visit the UCAS website. What courses can I apply for through clearing? Lists of courses with places available are published on the UCAS website and in national newspapers after results day. Not all universities, colleges or courses have vacancies in Clearing, but you don’t have to stick with the subjects you originally applied for – you may find something you are better suited to or that you are more interested in. For more information on the Clearing process, check out the UCAS website.