Edexcel Highers - changes
 

Please note that this document is still in DRAFT, although only minor changes are expected

New BTEC Higher Nationals for September 2010

The Edexcel BTEC Higher Nationals:

·         Deliver advanced work related learning, preparing students for the workplace

·         Provide a fast track route into degree programmes

·         Offer opportunities for learners develop deep knowledge and understanding of technical issues

·         Are internationally recognised by business, industry and professional bodies.  

Following on from the recent consultation regarding proposed changes, the qualifications are being refreshed through 2009/10 in order to respond to the changing demands of learners, centres and employers. 

The new BTEC Higher Nationals will be submitted to Ofqual for accreditation to the Qualifications & Credit Framework in January 2010, ready for first teaching in September 2010.

The three primary aims of this redevelopment work are:

1.

To ensure continuity

Edexcel is committed to ensuring that the new BTEC Higher Nationals are designed and implemented in a way that is beneficial to centres and learners

 

2.

To ensure relevance

Edexcel will seek to update the BTEC Higher Nationals to ensure that they remain relevant and up-to-date, and responsive to the needs of employers as set out by Sector Skills Councils

 

3.

To maintain funding

Edexcel will work to accredit the new BTEC Higher Nationals to the Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF) and to secure continued funding for the future

Key Features

Following extensive consultation with centres delivering the existing BTEC Higher Nationals, the new BTEC Higher Nationals will benefit from the following new key features:

1.

Edexcel Level 4 BTEC HNC

The new HNC will be accredited at Level 4 of the QCF, and will consist of units totalling 120 credits.  This will allow for progression from Level 3 BTEC Nationals, and progression to Level 5 BTEC HNs

 

2.

Edexcel Level 5 BTEC HND

The new HND will be accredited at Level 5 of the QCF, and will consist of units totalling 240 credits.  This will allow for progression from the new Level 4 BTEC HNC, and will also allow learners to ‘top up’ to an honours degree should they wish

 

3.

Final overall grade

In addition to individual grades per unit, learners will now also received a final overall grade

 


Changes to titling  

In order to comply with the regulatory requirements of the Qualifications & Credit Framework (QCF), it is likely that there will be a change to the existing titling conventions for the BTEC Higher Nationals.  

Conversations between Edexcel and Ofqual are ongoing, and we will provide more information on potential changes in future updates

What happens next?

·         The BTEC Higher Nationals will be developed in two phases, with all titles being redeveloped for September 2010 starts (Phase 1) except for Land and Environment and Public Services, which will follow for September 2011 starts (Phase 2).

·         Phase 1 titles will be redeveloped between September 2009 and January 2010, and will then be submitted to Ofqual for accreditation  

·         Phase 2 titles will be redeveloped between September 2010 and January 2011, and will then be submitted to Ofqual for accreditation 

·         A series of sector specific events and webinars will begin in February 2010, and these will introduce the new specifications and highlight key features

·         The new specifications will be available to centres from March 2010, ready for first teaching in September 2010.

We’d like to hear from you

If you have any queries or comments on any of the information above, please contact:

John Davies – Senior Business Manager - BTEC

john.davies@edexcel.com

Alternatively, please visit the Edexcel website:

www.edexcel.com

Titles

The new BTEC Higher Nationals will be available in the following titles from September 2010:

Engineering

·         Aerospace Engineering

·         Electrical/Electronic Engineering

·         Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Comms),

·         Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Electrical)

·         Electrical/Electronic Engineering (Electronic)

·         Manufacturing Engineering

·         Marine Engineering

·         Mechanical Engineering

·         Nautical Science

·         Operations Engineering

·         Operations Engineering (Instrumentation & Control)

·         Vehicle Operations Management

 

Construction and the Built Environment

 

·         Building Services Engineering

·         Civil Engineering

·         Construction

 

Business

 

·         Business

·         Business (E-Business Strategies)

·         Business (Finance)

·         Business (Human Resources Management)

·         Business (Information Technology)

·         Business (Law)

·         Business (Management)

·         Business (Marketing)

·         Public Services

 

Computing

 

·         Computing (General)

·         Computing (ICT Systems Support)

·         Computing (Software Development)

 

Art and Design

 

·         3D Design

·         Fashion and Textiles

·         Fine Arts

·         Graphic Design

·         Photography

 

Health and Social Care / Children’s Care

 

·         Health and Social Care

·         Health and Social Care (Applied Social Studies)

·         Health and Social Care (Care Practice)

·         Health and Social Care (Health)

·         Health and Social Care (Management)

·         Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families

·         Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (Education)

·         Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (Health)

·         Advanced Practice in Work with Children and Families (Management)

Performing Arts and Music

 

·         Music Performance

·         Music Production

·         Performing Art

·         Performing Arts (Performance)

·         Performing Arts (Production)

 

Media

 

·         Media

·         Media (Audio)

·         Media (Journalism)

·         Media (Moving Image)

·         Interactive Media

·         Specialist Makeup (Film and Television)

 

Sport

 

·         Sport and Exercise Sciences

·         Sport and Exercise Sciences (Coaching and Leadership in Sport)

·         Sport and Exercise Sciences (Sports Science)

·         Sport and Exercise Sciences (Sports Therapy)

·         Sport and Leisure Management

·         Sport and Leisure Management (Health and Fitness)

·         Sport and Leisure Management (Sports Development and Coaching)

 

Hospitality/Travel and Tourism

 

·         Hospitality Management

·         Hospitality Management (Culinary Arts)

·         Hospitality Management (Leisure and Tourism)

·         Hospitality Management (Licensed Retail)

·         Travel and Tourism

 

Land and Environment

·         Animal Management

·         Equine Management

·         Horticulture

·         Environmental Conservation

 

Applied Science

·         Applied Biology

·         Applied Chemistry

·         Beauty Therapy Sciences

 

Public Services

·         Public Services