Always Learning

 BTEC results explained 

This page provides help with understanding your results, including where to find information on equivalencies to GCSEs and A levels.


Understanding your BTEC results

How are BTECs marked and graded?

BTECs are made up of units, which contain assignments that link theory with practical exercises.

To complete each unit, your work is assessed by your teacher, tutor or training provider along the way. This ongoing assessment allows you to analyse and improve your performance throughout your course in much the same way as you would in a real workplace.

BTEC unit results are graded as:

  • Pass (P)
  • Merit (M)
  • Distinction (D)

If the work you produce doesn’t meet the grading criteria for a Pass grade, you will be awarded a U, which means ’unclassified’.

Once you have completed your BTEC, all of your unit grades are converted into a points score, which are added together to calculate your overall grade.

Find out more about how to calculate point scores and your overall grade.

The overall grades available are:

  • Pass (P)
  • Merit (M)
  • Distinction (D)
  • Distinction* (D*)

The Distinction* (D*) grade was introduced in 2010 and is available on most of our newer Level 2 and 3 specifications.

At level 3, your overall BTEC is given one, two, or three final grades, depending on its size. The tables below illustrate this:

NQF QCF
Possible combinations of overall grades Possible combinations of overall grades
Diploma Certificate Award Extended Diploma 90-credit Diploma and Diploma Certificate and Subsidiary Diploma
DDD DD D D*D*D* D*D* D*
DDM DM M D*D*D D*D D
DMM MM P D*DD DD M
MMM MP DDD DM P
MMP PP DDM MM
MPP DMM MP
PPP MMM PP
MMP
MPP
PPP

What is the GCSE or A level equivalent of my BTEC?

It is not always a simple task to equate grades for BTEC qualifications to grades for GCSEs and A levels. This is because BTECs are graded on a three-point (Pass, Merit, Distinction) or four-point (Pass, Merit, Distinction, Distinction*) scale, whereas GCSEs are graded on an eight-point scale (A*-G) and A levels on a five-point scale (A-E).

However, it is possible to compare BTECs with GCSEs and A levels on the basis of the number of school performance points or UCAS tariff points that each one is awarded.

Find out more about comparing BTECs to GCSEs and A levels using school performance points.

You can find out more about comparing BTECs to A levels using UCAS tariff points in the 'How many UCAS points is my BTEC worth?' question below.

How many UCAS points is my BTEC worth?

BTEC Level 3 qualifications have good equivalence with A levels in terms of the number of UCAS tariff points that they receive.
 
However, some university course requirements do not use the tariff in when making a conditional offer, so you should check university websites to determine individual course entry requirements.
 
QCF BTEC Level 3 Grade UCAS tariff points
Extended Diploma Diploma 90-credit Diploma Subsidiary Diploma Certificate AS level  A level
(3 A levels) (2 A levels) (1.5 A levels) (1 A level) (0.5 A levels) (0.5 A levels)
D*D*D* 420
D*D*D 400
D*DD 380
DDD 360
DDM 320
DMM D*D* 280
D*D 260
MMM DD 240
D*D* 210
MMP DM D*D 200
DD 180
MPP MM DM 160
D* A* 140
PPP MP MM D A 120
MP B 100
PP M C 80
D* 70
PP D A D 60
B 50
P M C E 40
D 30
E 20

Examples

The subsidiary diploma is the same size as an A level and the equivalent grades receive the same number of points:
 
Pass (P) grade in the BTEC = 40 points = E grade at A level 
 
Distinction* (D*) grade in the BTEC = 140 points = A* grade at A level

Tariff points for NQF Level 3 BTECs

The allocation of points shown above applies to QCF qualifications. If you started your course after 2010 this covers all subject areas except one suite, The BTEC Nationals in Children's Care, Learning and Development, which is still on the NQF.

The current NQF qualifications do not have the D* grade and so the points for them are:

QCF BTEC Level 3 Grade UCAS tariff points
Diploma Certificate Award
DDD 360
DDM 320
DMM 280
MMM DD 240
MMP DM 200
MPP MM 160
PPP MP D 120
PP M 80
P 40

The BTEC Nationals in Children's Care, Learning and Development are due to be replaced by the BTEC Nationals in Children’s Play, Learning and Development. These qualifications will have the D* grade and so should receive the same points as the QCF BTEC Nationals.

 

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 two weeks.

Find out more about how your school or college claims your certificate.

What are my university clearing options?

If you're a UCAS applicant and your BTEC is on the UCAS tariff we will send your results to UCAS when we print your certificate. This means that by the time you receive your certificate, your university should already know what grades your received.

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.

If you’re looking for more information about the Business degree at Pearson College, please call 0203 441 1303 or go to www.pearsoncollege.com.

Didn't get the BTEC grades you wanted?

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

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.

Related pages

Results information

Get results information for a different qualification.

Your BTEC certificate

Get more information about your BTEC certificate.

Calculating your overall BTEC grade

Get help with answers to your questions.

What can I do next?

Advice and ideas on what to do after results day.

BTEC Security FAQs

BTEC Security Questions about our BTEC security qualifications.

Send an e-card

Say ‘thank you’ to a teacher or congratulate a friend on their results!