Withdrawal of Post-16 Level 2 and Level 3 BTEC Art and Design and Creative Media Qualifications

This withdrawal applies to all centres in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Internationally where available. These qualifications have fallen below the minimum registrations to retain them according to Ofqual requirements.

* Previously withdrawn in England and NI

Alternatives to Level 2 Technicals and BTEC Firsts

We launched our new 100% internally assessed Level 2 Art and Design Skills and Level 2 Creative Media Skills qualifications in 2020 which have been incredibly well-received by teachers and learners and are quickly growing to become our largest qualifications at this level. 

View Level 2 Art and Design Skills qualification

View Level 2 Creative Media Skills qualification

They are a great alternative to Level 2 Technicals or BTEC Firsts, with flexible technical skills content allowing you to run the qualification as a broad programme covering a range of different specialisms, or as a specialist programme.

They are available in the following sizes:

• 180 Certificate
• 240 Extended Certificate
• 360 Diploma

These qualifications feature holistic teaching modules with only two units in the 180 Certificate, three in the 240 Extended Certificate and four in the 360 Diploma, significantly reducing admin so you can focus on teaching. All learner work is generated through practical projects, briefs, assignments and workshops, preparing them through the development of portfolios supporting progression to Level 3 study. 

Alternatives to Level 3 Nationals Diplomas

Art and Design

All 4 of the specialist pathway (Tech Level) Diplomas in Art and Design are being retired, however, the Applied General Diploma in Art and Design will remain available.

View BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Art and Design specification (PDF | 1.14MB)

Although it does not include all of the specialist units in the Tech Level Diplomas, many of the most widely used specialist units are available through the Applied General Diploma, which will allow you to select those relevant to the specialism you currently deliver. Other mandatory internally and externally assessed units in the Applied General Diploma that will be new to you can be delivered in large part through the context of the specialist pathway you currently deliver, allowing you to continue to focus your programme.

If you want to retain more of the units you currently deliver, the Extended Diploma includes all of them as optional units.

We also offer the 100% internally assessed BTEC Level 3 Art and Design Practice in 540 Diploma and 1080 Extended Diploma sizes with flexible technical skills content allowing you to run the qualification as a broad programme covering a range of different specialisms, or as a specialist programme. 

View BTEC Level 3 Art and Design Practice qualification

Since their launch in 2019, they have been incredibly well-received by teachers and learners and have quickly grown to be our largest suite of Level 3 qualifications in Art and Design. They contain two large, simple and holistic teaching modules across the Extended Diploma, with only two assessments in the 540 Diploma and a further two in the Extended Diploma, allowing plenty of space for practical and professional skills development, significantly reducing admin. 

Creative Media

The following specialist pathway Diplomas will remain available:

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Digital Games Design and Development
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Film and Television Production

The Diploma in Film and Television Production offers many of the optional units which also appear in the Film and Television Visual Effects, and will allow you to cover a large proportion of the programme in the way that you currently do.

If you want to retain more of the units you currently deliver, the Extended Diploma includes a most of them as optional units.

We also offer the 100% internally assessed BTEC Level 3 Creative Media Practice in 540 Diploma and 1080 Extended Diploma sizes with flexible technical skills content allowing you to run the qualification as a broad programme covering a range of different specialisms, or as a specialist programme. 

View BTEC Level 3 Creative Media Practice qualification

Since their launch in 2019, they have been incredibly well-received by teachers and learners and are quickly growing to become our largest suite of Level 3 qualifications in Creative Media. They contain two large, simple and holistic teaching modules across the Extended Diploma, with only two assessments in the 540 Diploma and a further two in the Extended Diploma, allowing plenty of space for practical and professional skills development, significantly reducing admin. 

Whatever qualification you choose, we will support you in your transition, and have provided a wealth of support on the linked qualification pages to help you, including Getting Started Training Videos, Delivery Guides, Assignment Briefs, Sample Marked Learner Work, Mapping Documents and more.

If you want to explore options, please contact us to speak with the subject advisor or to use our support portal.

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