BTEC Nationals March Update
March often brings a full to‑do list, and it’s important to work sustainably.
I’ve gathered the most relevant updates and practical reminders to help you plan clearly and keep workload manageable as the term continues. You don’t need to do everything at once. If questions come up, or you’d value a conversation, I’m always happy to help.
Level 3 Digital Options Guide
To support your planning through Level 3 reform, we have a Route to Success page with support for the reform journey. We have also created Digital Options Guide for post 16 provision in 2026. This guide provides a clear overview of what centres can offer in Digital from September 2026 onwards. It is designed to support educators who may be concerned about the withdrawal of large level 3 qualifications and want clarity on alternative Pearson pathways. It includes:
- Example study programmes
- Pearson qualification options from 2026 onwards, including the T Levels, AAQs and smaller BTECs
- Useful links and guidance for curriculum discussions
Feedback on our AAQ Published Resources
Help us make Pearson AAQ BTEC National paid resources work for you
Hearing from you helps us continue to develop and improve our BTEC resource so they meet your needs, so we’d really welcome your feedback. This survey should only take you 10-15 minutes to complete, and we want to hear from you whether you've bought our resources or chosen not to..
AoC College Higher Education Conference 2026
College educators, are you ready?
It's almost time! On the 5th March Pearson will be attending the Association of Colleges Colleges Higher Education Conference. Rebecca Mameli, will be delivering a keynote session 'Addressing the MedTech Skills Gap through Higher Education. Come and speak to our team about BTEC Higher Nationals, HTQs and LLE and how we can support you!
Looking for Exam Dates
Introducing your new BTEC external assessment overview tool
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.
BTEC National Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)
Getting Started Events
These events will cover ways to Plan and Teach BTEC National AAQ in Computing and Information Technology. Links to recordings of these events can be found below.
| Qualification |
Date | Recording/ Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | May 2025 | Recording |
| Computing | May 2025 | Recording |
Getting ready for Internal Assessmant
These events are aimed at UK based teachers preparing to deliver the new BTEC Level 3 qualifications.
| Qualification |
Date | Registration |
|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | Nov 2025 | Recording |
| Computing | Nov 2025 | Coming soon |
Frequently asked questions
We have created a FAQ document that will continue to be updated as we capture and answer more questions. This repository will be a valuable source of information and can be the first port of call whenever you are looking for guidance for AAQ IT Unit 3 or Unit 4 questions.
Getting ready for Internal Assessmant
These events are aimed at UK based teachers preparing to deliver the new BTEC Level 3 qualifications.
| Qualification |
Date | Time | Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Information Technology | 3 Feb 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Information Technology | 3 Mar 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Computing | 10 Feb 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Computing | 10 Mar 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
Getting ready for External Assessmant
These events are aimed at UK based teachers preparing to deliver the new BTEC Level 3 qualifications.
Information Technology
For Information Technology AAQ we have the 'Student Book', 'Student eBook' and 'Complete Package' are all available now
Computing
For Computing AAQ we have the 'Student Book', 'Student eBook' and 'Complete Package' are all available now
Information Technology AAQ
Planning and Teaching Guide, Unit guides and Transferrable Skills Framework and Transition guide.
Pearson Set Assignments for the two internally assessed units, 4 for Unit 3 and 3 for Unit 4
Computing AAQ
Planning and Teaching Guide, Unit guides and Transferrable Skills Framework and Transition Guide.
Pearson Set Assignments for the two internally assessed units, 4 for Unit 3 and 4 for Unit 4
BTEC Nationals (RQF)
We’ve extended Information Technology and Computing Level 3 BTEC Nationals RQF in Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and for Independent Centres in England for registrations up to the 2028/29 academic year, with a final registration date of 31 July 2029. These extensions allow you to plan with confidence and make sure you have the provision needed for the coming years.
Read the Northern Ireland Update
Read the Jersey, Guernsey, Isle of Man and Independent Centres in England Update
You can find the dates for all externally assessed units here:
Internally assessed units continue to follow the standard quality assurance process for the RQF suite and this starts with the submission of an assessment plan.
Remember in England the September 2025 cohort represent the final registrations on these qualifications. They will remain funded through to certification which would normally be Summer 2027 for two year programs.
Qualification pages for these quals are shown below:
In Northern Ireland (NI) and Wales you can continue to offer the BTEC Nationals RQF at all sizes and we have some dedicated pages to help you find information and support as things change we will keep this page updated as developments occur.
Funding clarification is here:
BTEC Level 3 Funding Guide for 16-19 year olds in Wales
BTEC Level 3 Funding Guide for 16-19 year olds in Northern Ireland
Subject advisor
Tim Brady
Computer Science and ICT Subject Advisor
