BTEC ND

The BTEC National Diploma is a vocational qualification taken in England and Wales by young people aged 16 and over and by adults. The qualification is organised and awarded by the Edexcel Foundation within the BTEC brand.

History

The National Diploma dates back to the 1930s as a full-time two-year course, mainly for 16-18 year olds. After the Haselgrave Report, the Business Education Council (BEC) and Technician Education Council (TEC) took over the accrediting of this qualification (called the "Ordinary National Diploma") and others in the stable, such as the National Certificate, Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma. The portfolio of courses was integrated when the BEC and TEC merged to form BTEC.

Previous titles

The "Ordinary National Diploma" is a vocational qualification at Level 3. It is the equivalent of 3 A levels. It is a highly respected course that lasts two years and has 18 units altogether unlike the Advanced VCE that is only worth two (Double Award). This is often a very good alternative way to achieve A Levels in the UK and in parts of Scotland.

The course is available from Edexcel and is in many different subjects. This qualification is mainly studied in further education colleges and along with the right passes at GCSE, can qualify you for degree level at university.

As BTEC stands for Business & Technology Education Council, the best known subjects for a National Diplomas are business and Information Technology. This qualification has become more popular recently, especially with the demise of the AVCE.

The course is assessed in units of which 18 consist in total. Students are graded on their understanding of the unit by the grading of either a pass, merit or distinction (highest achievable).

Level

The National Diploma is regarded as equivalent in level to the GCE A Level, more specifically to three A2 awards and the AVCE. The course is particularly suitable for those who have strong inclinations towards a particular vocational career, starting with technical level posts and leading, after experience, to supervisory and enterprise management posts. The National Diploma is popular amongst school leavers who wish to pursue Nursing, Midwifery or other health professions as the BTEC Health course gives more thorough preparation than A Levels would for the degree course. The work placement element of the National Diploma is particularly valued by universities considering admissions for these subjects.

The usual entry requirement is at least four GCSE subject passes at A*, A, B or C grades. In most land-based industries, science (usually double science) will be a preferred subject, together with Maths and English. Equivalent entry qualifications are also accepted, including an appropriate BTEC First Diploma with a merit grade or a relevant NVQ at Level 2 or an Intermediate GNVQ.

Other qualifications and experience may be acceptable for mature students. Mature students are advised, in some cases, to consider a Higher National Diploma (HND) course instead. Career experience frequently leads to an ability to cope with HND level education and the two year commitment can be better spent in acquiring a higher qualification.

It is possible for a student to be accepted onto a National Diploma course without the recommended entry requirements, this is generally the case in students who have left school and acquired a job in the field of the subject that is relevant to the course. If the college is satisfied that the student has the ability to benefit successfully from the course. Students with a good National Certificate or equivalent qualification may be considered for entry to the second year of the National Diploma course in which case "bridging" studies may be necessary.

It is possible for students on the National Diploma to leave the course after 1 and 1/4 years with a BTEC National Certificate should they achieve Pass grades in all of the units from the first year.

ubjects available

Art and DesignThe subject alone is available. Other Art & Design National Diplomas include 3D Design, Design Crafts, Fashion & Clothing, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Interactive Media, Photography and Textiles.

BusinessThere are in total 35 Business courses available as a BTEC National Diploma. The core subject is available alone, but other Business courses contain other concentrations such as Law and Marketing and Human Rescources. Others Business courses include: Administration and eBusiness strategy. eBusiness software concentrations with Business courses are popular. [ [http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/nat/business/ Edexcel : Qualifications : BTEC Nationals ] ]

Construction
Civil Engineering, basic construction and Business Engineering Services are one of the three main National Diploma courses available in this subject.

Health and Care
Health & Social Care, Early Years, Health Studies and Care are the main a subjects under the Health and Care courses available. Health Science and Early Years are less-popular courses also available.

IT and Computing
IT and Computing are becoming more popular in community colleges within the UK as the profession is becoming wider and more dominating in all aspects of society and business today. Software Development, Networking and Systems Support are the three main courses available under IT Practitioners as a National Diploma.

Land-basedLand-based subjects available include: Countryside management, Animal Management, Horticulture and Blacksmithing with Metalworking. Other land-based courses can be found at the edexcel website. [ [http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/nat/land/ Edexcel : Qualifications : BTEC Nationals ] ]

Media, Music & Performing ArtsThere are 16 courses available under these 3 subjects. Some listed are: Media Production with Games development, Interactive Media and Radio. Music Production and Music Technology. Performing Arts with Acting, Dance and Design. [ [http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/nat/media-pa/ Edexcel : Qualifications : BTEC Nationals ] ]

Science
Applied Science and Dental Technology are just few of the courses available under Science. Forensic Science is particularly popular as is Sport & Exercise Science.

A whole list of other available subjects can be found at the [http://www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/nat/ BTEC National Diploma Website.]

Progression

Possible outcomes include:

*employment in, or leading to, enterprise management
*employment in the ancillary trades as technical support
*with further experience in the industry, management of the business is a possibility
*progression to a Foundation Degree course or entry into a first degree.

The Diploma in British University Admissions

The National Diploma is the BTEC qualification most commonly taken in order to gain entry to university, and is recognised by most universities. However, as it is mostly coursework based some of the more acclaimed universities such as Oxbridge will not accept it as a standalone qualification (unless combined with more traditional qualifications such as A-levels).

Future

The future of the BTEC National Diploma is uncertain since the introduction of the new Diploma. The Liberal Democrat Party have called for the qualification to be scrapped. [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7655465.stm]

References