A Guide To Pearson

A guide to PearsonBTEC qualifications inthe Middle EastReal skills for the real worldI think all students should havethe chance to do at least oneBTEC, just to help them gain theskills needed for the 21st century.”Sandra CarterSenior Leadership Professional - Education, UAE

02 A guide to Pearson BTEC qualifications in the Middle EastAbout PearsonPearson is the world’s leadinglearning company, with 40,000employees in more than 70 countriesworking to help people of all ages tomake measurable progress in theirlives through learning. We providelearning materials, technologies,assessments and services to teachersin order to help people everywhereaim higher and fulfil their truepotential. We put the learner at thecentre of everything we do.www.pearson.comPearson BTEC –real skills for thereal worldPearson have been delivering BTECqualifications (Business Technologyand Education Council) since 1984.Highly practical courses, developedin consultation with employers anduniversities, BTECs truly preparestudents for further study at universityor the world of work. Our practicallearning focuses students’ minds andshows how theory works in real life.90%of BTEC students in theUK are employed full-timeafter graduating.**London Economics 2013

Where does BTEC fit with other Pearson qualifications?TYPICALAGE RANGEBTECPROFESSIONALLCCILEVEL 1-4EDEXCELINTERNATIONALADVANCED LEVELEDEXCELGCEA LEVELBTECLEVEL 3LCCILEVEL 314 -16EDEXCELINTERNATIONALGCSEEDEXCELGCSEBTECLEVEL 2LCCILEVEL 212 -14EDEXCELiLOWERSECONDARYBTECLEVEL 1LCCIINTRODUCTORY6-11EDEXCELiPRIMARYEMPLOYMENT16 -19UNIVERSITYBTEC HIGHERNATIONALS(HND HNC) 19This diagram shows the different Pearson learning pathways that students can take, and how they link into further andhigher education or employment. Age ranges are a guide only; all our qualifications can be taken at different ages.Pearson BTEC. Learning by doing.BTECs are all about practical learning. A BTEC course comprises 60% core units and 40%project work. Practical work can be workplace assignments, presentations or simulations,so that students experience the real-life applications of their studies.3 more great reasons to choose Pearson BTEC123Flexible,modular learningAn internationalqualification with localrelevanceDesigned tomeet university andemployer needsBTECs can be taught in most languages,BTECs are designed with inputfrom universities, professional bodiesand employers. They develop academicskills and abilities, and equip studentswith the work-ready skills they willneed in their future career.Students can choose a blendedcurriculum, studying InternationalGCSEs or International A levelsalongside a BTEC course, and thenbecome more focused on a particulararea of interest later on. Modules andspecialist pathways can be added on sothat the course is the right fit foreach student.including Arabic, and up to 20% of thecurriculum can be tailored by schools andcentres to be regionally targeted. They areinternationally recognised and are equivalentto International GCSEs, InternationalA levels and 1 or 2 years of auniversity degree.

04 A guide to Pearson BTEC qualifications in the Middle EastProgression opportunities:the student journey with Pearson BTEC1Getting startedStudent age: 12 to 16BTEC International: levels 1 & 2A perfect balance of practical and theoretical learning,with level 2 being equivalent to International GCSE.Many BTEC students explore an area of study at BTEC Internationallevels 1 and 2, alongside academic studies such as Edexcel InternationalGCSEs. These levels can then lead to studying BTEC Internationallevel 3, either on their own or alongside International A levels.2Heading for university?Student age: 16 to 18BTEC International: level 3A complement or alternative to InternationalA levels. Prepares the student for entry to auniversity degree course.Students start to refine the subjects they want toprogress in. Many choose a ‘blended’ curriculum,studying for International A levels alongside BTEC level3, which is the same standard as International A leveland internationally recognised by universities.Pearson works with universities around the world, sothat they recognise and accept applications from BTECstudents onto a degree programme. In fact, moreuniversities than ever before are choosing BTECqualified candidates.Did you know.BTEC Nationals can boostlifetime earnings by 92,000?**London Economics, 2013.I am the quality nominee at theAl-Hussein Technical Universityin Amman, Jordan. We havebeen accredited to run andsafeguard BTEC qualificationsin Engineering, Construction andthe Built Environment, as wellas Computing levels 4 & 5.The experience has beenamazing.”Rumiana NuseibehQuality Nominee, Al-Hussein TechnicalUniversity, Jordan

3Pearson BTEC as part ofa ‘top up’ degreeStudent age: 18 plusBTEC Higher Nationals: levels 4 & 5BTEC Higher Nationals allow fast track entry intouniversity. BTEC level 4 is equivalent to first year atuniversity, while level 5 BTEC means that students can godirectly into the third year of a university course. At thislevel, certain courses carry accreditations for industrybodies, for example, the ACCA, CIM and CIMA. Some BTECstudents study the first two years in their home country,and then complete the university course with a furtheryear at an international university. This makes for a verycost-effective way of studying for a full degree.Student Profile:Maryam TaherBiomedical Scienceundergraduate at YorkUniversity, previously studieda BTEC in Applied Science.“I did my BTEC as soon as I left highschool and went into college. I wantedto study the topics we studied in highschool in more depth, so I thought theBTEC level 3 would be the perfect chancefor me to do that and then go on touniversity as well.My university course combines differentmodules and we also have practical workBTEC is an outstandingparallel pathway toA-Levels. One in fourstudents who go toUniversity now have at least one BTECbehind them, many of whom have gainedskills in the workplace already. PersonallyI have found that businesses favour BTECstudents and they excel in the real world”.David WrightTeacher, BTEC National Travel and Tourism, DubaiBritish Schooland academic assessments. We have4both exams and coursework which Idid in BTEC, and also the practical workwhich I experienced and practiced a lotThe world of workin college. BTEC definitely prepared meBTEC students will begin their career, armed withfor my university degree. The practicalthe confidence and skills needed in the workplace.work I did is still useful and the hands-Today’s employers are looking for confident, work-readyon skills I gained are still very helpful atcandidates who have the practical knowledge,university as I am already familiarexperience and technical skills that BTECs provide.with them.”BTEC Professional qualifications are available forstudents who want to enhance their career prospects.

06 A guide to Pearson BTEC qualifications in the Middle EastPearson BTEC levels at a glanceBTECs are available to students aged 12 and above. BTECs are available in a range of subjects andwork on a credits system. Here is a snapshot of BTEC levels 2 to 5.BTECLEVEL2345AGEGROUP14 to 1616 to 1918 19 NUMBER OFSUBJECT AREASEQUIVALENT TO13InternationalGCSEs171619Did you know.The fastest growing routeto higher education in theUK is the combination ofBTEC and A levels, accordingto the latest analysisfrom UCAS.InternationalA levelsKEY POINTSExcellent introduction to a career-focusedarea of further study. Allows students toexplore specific sectors in order to decidefuture path.A deeper dive into the subject. Realism ofassignments shows students what it will belike to actually work in that industry.Options after this stage are: Entry to degree in same subject Further study in that subject Entry level employment1st yearof universitydegreeProfessional body recognitions andexemptions in subjects like Finance andMarketing. Specialist pathways allow studentsto choose particular areas of interest.Recognised by universities worldwide.2nd yearof universitydegreeA ‘top up’ degree is a popular and costeffective option at this level, where thestudent can for example, study the first twoyears of a university course through BTEC intheir home country, and then take the thirdyear at a university abroad.The most popularPearson BTEC subjectsin the Middle Art & DesignITHospitality

5 key benefits for schoolsand training centresGreat to teach :Hands-on teaching approach that leads to an internationallyrecognised qualification and skills that can immediately beput to use in a professional OR academic context.Internally assessed :Using theory and practical assignments like businessplans, proposals, films clips, taking place in real workenvironments, like mechanical workshops or design andproduction studios.Multilingual :BTEC can be delivered in most languages, including Arabic.Regional relevance :20% of the course curriculum is regionally targeted, whilethe remainder of the curriculum follows a set,easy-to-teach structure.Flexible structure :BTEC means that centres and schools can tailorprograms to students.5 key benefits for studentsTried and tested progression route to university :BTECs carry the same value as International A levels and aresought after by universities worldwide.A cost-effective way of gaining a university degree :Higher Nationals mean that part of the degree can becompleted before going to university, keeping costs down.Emphasis on practical skills :40% of the BTEC curriculum is practical work, as opposedto exams. Students gain hands-on experience onreal-world scenarios.Fit for purpose :Skills learnt on BTEC courses match industry and universityrequirements. Early in the learning process, students gaininsight and knowledge into their chosen career.Keep options open :The flexible structure of BTECs allows students to exploresectors before deciding their future path. The courses areinternational, so if personal circumstances change during aBTEC course, students can continue studying in adifferent country.“BTEC is an excellentqualification that offersan industry-basedapproach to curriculumdelivery and assessment;one that does not rely onexaminations alone.We have run BTECcourses within GEMS forseveral years and havehad excellent successwith studentsundertaking BTEC as astandalone qualificationor in combination withother qualifications suchas GCE AS/A levels and IB”Craig LamshedCountry Director, GEMS Education

Pearson BTEC facts95% of UK Higher Education Institutesover 200 universities worldwide - including many ofThe Times top 100 ranked universities internationallyover 70 professional bodies - including theChartered Management Institute (CMI), Management,Accounting and Engineering InstitutionsInternational employers such as Shell, BAE Systems,PWC and Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group.all actively recruit BTEC graduates.Teach Pearson BTEC2Wth e wro oug rkh wiyo thur yoap uplicationYode urliv ceer ntBT reEC isaqu ppal roifi veca dtio tonsprTogeyo og theu ram r wand me e chyo tour ha ostst ’s e tud ri heen ghtts for1reCongi tacon tal youoffi rce4 easy steps to delivering BTEC:34Set your educational institution apart with qualifications thatengage and inspire students, while building their confidenceto achieve their ambitions.Arrange a meeting with your local Pearson representative.Visit middleeast.pearson.com/btec to find out more.

06 A guide to Pearson BTEC qualifications in the Middle East BTECs are available to students aged 12 and above. BTECs are available in a range of subjects and work on a credits system. Here is a snapshot of BTEC levels 2 to 5. Pearson BTEC levels at a glance BTEC LEVEL AGE GROUP NUMBER OF