Case Studies

Jiajing Zhang, Art Hour International

The BTEC Art and Design program emphasizes hands-on and practical learning, which enables students to apply their theoretical knowledge in real projects, thus improving their skills and confidence. By participating in design seminars, workshops and practical projects, students are able to translate their ideas into real-life work, all of which are invaluable experiences in their learning process.

Caroline Noela Gichuru, Tanzania

This year's BTEC Teacher of the Year 2022 is Caroline Noela Gichuru from Braeburn International School. Her dedication to music and the performing arts has influenced every level of the school curriculum and driven an incredible series of positive changes.

She has supervised music and dance videos, school productions featuring live bands, musicals, DJ performances, musical theatre trips, karaoke nights and theatre summer schools with intense, hands-on encouragement and care.

Perhaps most remarkably of all, though, this teacher's influence has impacted the world on an international scale. By giving up her own time, she is able to direct a yearly musical and tour it through East Africa. Meanwhile, her students have made waves in universities as far and wide as Chicago, South Africa and Tanzania.

Eren Buktel, Turkey

Eren teaches BTEC Applied Science Level 1 and Level 3 at TED Atakent High School in Turkey. He is a determined, entrepreneurial professional who brings exceptional creativity to his lessons. His innovative approach has also driven strong applicable links to the real world for his learners.

Shalini Rajan, UAE

Shalini firmly believes BTEC is the best vocational qualification. She provides her students at Winchester School, Dubai, the chance to apply their skills within and beyond the classroom. 

Beaconhouse International College, Pakistan

Beaconhouse International College believes passionately in developing students nurturing them to become global citizens and leaders.

They aim to bridge the gap between the industry and academia - imparting entrepreneurial skills to the students and providing them with a platform to hone their business management, communication and leadership skills.

Cambridge House Community College, Valencia, Spain

Students at Cambridge House come from a diverse range of academic backgrounds and are often ESL (English as a second language) learners, driving staff at the school to experiment with innovative teaching techniques that allow them to respond dynamically to learner needs.

Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative Technology, Bangladesh

Shanto-Mariam Institute of Creative Technology is a pioneer BTEC institute in Bangladesh focusing on Art & Design. We spoke with Abdullah Masud, a previous director at the institution to discuss more about their centre and how their BTEC courses have been providing their students the skills and knowledge to achieve their further education and career goals.

IVS Alliance, The Netherlands

The IVS Alliance group offers 6 BTEC programmes at UK level 3, which are EQF level 4. They offer courses in the business and hospitality BTEC sectors, with customised qualifications in business and fashion and executive management.

Lise-Mari Van Wyk

BTEC Performing Arts Learner of the Year and Adult Learner of the Year 2022

Northlink College, South Africa

Lise-Mari is our Gold Nominated Performing Arts Learner of the Year this year and was also chosen by our judges to be the BTEC Adult Learner of the Year 2022.

As a blind person holding a bursary for being the top learner with a disability in the Western Cape, she found no university would take her to study performing arts. Undeterred, she attended her audition to study a BTEC HND and was accepted by Northlink College in South Africa. 

An exceptional student, she shows that with a combination of determination and skill you can achieve your goals and ambitions, regardless of what obstacles you may face in life. Her performance skills, the skills she has developed during her BTEC course, continue to have a huge emotional impact on her audience as she pursues her life’s calling - to act.

Megan Piechowiak

BTEC Sport Learner of the Year

Jumeirah English Speaking School - UAE

Megan studies an International Level 3 BTEC in Sport at Jumeirah English Speaking School (JESS), holds a level 3 personal training certification and is also a certified netball coach. She umpires three nights a week for different elite netball leagues and is captain of the netball, rounders, swimming and basketball teams at JESS.

Tiago Bastos Nunes, Portugal

BTEC Creative Media Learner of the Year 2021

ETIC - Portugal

Tiago is studying for a BTEC Higher National Diploma (HND) in Cinema and Television at ETIC (Portugal) where he represents his school as student ambassador. He has already won awards for his films including the award for best student film in Toronto Independent Festival of CIFT 2021 Canada.

Wilbert Kapinga

BTEC Performing Arts Learner of the Year

Braeburn International School Arusha - Tanzania

Wilbert studies at the Braeburn International School Arusha (Tanzania) for a BTEC International Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Performing Arts. Unsurprisingly he spends a lot of his free time performing in addition to his extra studies for A level french and a BTEC in sport. He is also a sports prefect for his school.

Josephine Kiaga, Tanzania

'My BTEC courses have helped to give me a real direction. At the end of my two years, I know that I’m passionate about film. I don’t want to be at the centre of it – on screen- but behind the action. I love film and the BTEC vocational and practical approach to learning."

Studied: BTEC Level 3 in Creative Media Production & BTEC Level 3 in Performing Arts

Current Role: Studying Filming at the University of Salford

Laman Gasimova, Dubai

Since starting the BTEC Travel and Tourism course I have had a real thirst for learning about the tourism sector and have thrived by learning more about different countries and cultures. I am planning to apply for a baccalaureate degree in international business studies, either in the UK or mainland europe, where I plan to continue developing my knowledge and experience of the travel and tourism industry in the hope that I can work in this industry after my degree.

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Lin Min Khant, Myanmar

Lin Min Khant is an exceptional young man who impressed our judges at this year’s BTEC Awards so much that they awarded him not only the title of BTEC Construction Learner of the Year 2020 but also selected him from among this year’s very worthy group of sector winners to be Young BTEC Learner of the Year 2020.

Studied: BTEC HND in Construction

Tanapa Srito, Thailand

BTEC teaches students project management skills, which helps the student learn the practical skills that need to be applied and not just the knowledge.

This sort of learning stays with you and supports you through your career and
future education.

Iain Bennett, Korea

A BTEC gave me a huge insight into the world of coaching by allowing me to learn about other factors that would impact my coaching style.

A BTEC provides excellent opportunities to learn on the course by coaching children and organising events gives you an idea of problem solving, working as a team and a great example of what real-life coaching is like.

Studied: BTEC Level 3 in Sports Development and Fitness

Current role: Head Coach, LFC International Academy, Korea

Matthew Swash

A BTEC gave me the knowledge and experience to coach individuals and provided an insight into other aspects of sport, basic psychology and health/fitness plus much more.

Studied: BTEC National Diploma in Football Studies

Current role: PE Specialist/Technician and part-time football coach.

Matthew Bebbington

Studying a BTEC helped me to develop a number of practical skills in my specialist role in the Football industry, but also gave me experience in a variety of other sports. 

BTEC lessons are really engaging, content rich and delivered by highly knowledgeable, supportive and organised teachers.

Studied: BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Sport Development, Coaching & Fitness

Current role: Coach, LFC International Academy

Daniel Garvin

It was during my BTEC qualification that I fully understood for the first time that coaching could be a career path for me. Before this it was always something, I wanted to be involved in, but did not truly understand how I could make it happen.

Studied: BTEC in Sports Science

Current role: Programme Manager at Liverpool FC International Academy.

Sam Lucas and
Nils Håkansson

The success story of BTEC learners who became BTEC employers.