January 2026 BTEC update for Business, Applied Law, Enterprise and Marketing

If you’re running BTEC external assessments, you want to find everything you need to know quickly and easily so that everything runs smoothly. We’ve made a new tool to help you do exactly that.  

We’ve now added the ability to filter to multiple programmes at the same time, so you can export just what you need all at once. 

This is your first term-time checkpoint and completing it by 30 January helps us build an accurate picture of students expecting results in August 2026, so we can work together to make sure every learner gets their results on time.

Missed the email? Read our cohort declaration message here

In that email we’ve got you covered with support articles, FAQs, and what you need to do to complete your cohort declaration in the VQ Learner Tracker.

Not ready to complete yet? No problem. Simply select “View declaration” and pledge to complete it on time. It’s a quick way to let us know you’re on track. 

The Centre Guides are available below.

The first document is the BTEC Centre Guide to Internal Assessment (although it is just labelled 'Document Title').

The latest information page from the JCQ includes

• guidance for teachers on malpractice
• presentations for teachers and learners
• an information sheet for teachers
• a poster for learners

If you want to catch up now with some marking and moderation advice before the new training sessions this month, check out this session recording at your leisure.

Remember to ensure you are now using the June PSA's for the spring and summer terms for both Component 1 and 2.

There are a number of training events on this month to support your teaching and learning for both of these components

With the new business plan template being rolled out this academic year, I  wanted to share some FAQ regarding this to help with your delivery and assessment, from our senior moderator.

The new plan is available to download from the website.

1.  Can the headings be changed in the new template, or must learners use it as it is? The template has been provided, so must be used as it is. Therefore, the headings do need to stay as they are. In reference to the new research prompts on the template, these are there so learners are aware that they need to have some research somewhere and to be able to refer to it. This research could be research from Task 1a too.
2. Can learners not fill in the "Cost per Unit" section in the break-even table as it is confusing? This is just a prompt to ensure they have the correct information before working out the variable cost and breakeven point.
3. Can you please clarify what is required for Component 2 for the research column of the Business Plan for the Physical and Human Resources? It can either be additional research they have undertaken (for example refining research from that they have undertaken in Task 1a) and therefore this could be website links, or they can just state 'see section x/ paragraph x/page x in Task 1a. With regards to Human resources, research could be referring back to their skills audit for the selected idea for Task 1a, for example. Physical resources, would most likely be either referring back to the materials needed from Task 1a and any additional materials they need for example tables for sales/ display boxes/stick boxes etc in the form of website links etc.
4. Can you please share some exemplar work for Component 2 using the new business plan template? We haven't been able to cover a completed business plan in the bitesize videos as yet as we haven't got any completed by learners at the moment (for the updated business plan). After the December/ January window we will have these to use and will add these to the bitesize videos then.

January 2026

May 2026

Please note that centres must not provide learners with templates (these include third-party templates), writing frames, or any other form of scaffolding, for UNIT 2. Learners are required to work independently during both Part A and Part B of the assessment. Pearson have not endorsed any templates for this qualification suit

As we go into the new year, each centre will be allocted a standards verifier (SV) for this academic year. By the end of February all centres should have been contacted by their allocated verifier.

In the meantime, its a good idea to ensure you are happy with your assessement plan as this will be requested early on in the process. However, remember, this is a working document so don't worry if things shift througout the year. It merely provided a guide for the SV.

If you have not heard from your SV by late February, please do get in touch with us via the support portal.

Modified papers for learner with varying needs to access past examination materials, are now available to download from our website.

Tutor2u are running four in-person CPD courses supporting the externally-assessed units in the BTEC National.

All held in London, the dates are:

• Thursday February 4th 2026 | Success in Unit 2
• Wednesday February 5th 2026 | Success in Unit 3
• Friday February 6th 2026 | Success in Unit 6

Tutor2u now offer a new, FREE, self-paced CPD course to support all teachers new to the RQF (2016) programme. The course focuses on developing attendee confidence in the planning and delivery of the BTEC National Business Programme. 

Applied Law - January 2026

Applied Law - May 2026

Business - January 2026

Business - May 2026

Enterprise & Entrepreneurship - January 2026

Enterprise & Entrepreneurship - May 2026

Marketing - January 2026

Marketing - May 2026

Watch the training session held last month to support the marking of learner work for both Level 2 and Level 3.

UPDATE: following the recent UK government reform announcement regarding BTEC reform in the UK and the impact of this on BTEC qualifications. I would like to reassure all our international customers that this does not affect you. BTECs will continue to grow and flourish in our international markets, so please continue to plan and operate as usual!

We have a variety of pages devoted to keeping you updated with the specifications, teaching resources, sample assignment materials as well as all authorised assignment briefs and Pearson Set Assignments.

Also find access and support the Pearson Progress platform to help simplify the planning and assessment of BTEC qualifications

Find ot more about our work with strategic partners such as Liverpool Football Club and the British Esports Federation, amongst others, allowing us to maintain content relevance and global reach.

We have developed digital resources to support your delivery of our suite of BTEC International Level 3 qualifications and cover the mandatory and some of the more popular optional units. 

Our Study Texts have been thoroughly developed and feature international examples, scenarios and references to make them relevant across a broad range of geographical territories and support learning and teaching delivery.