BTEC Nationals November Update
We’re now halfway through the first term – and it’s been a busy one. We know how much you’re juggling right now. Between teaching, supporting learners, and keeping up with curriculum developments, it’s a lot. Your hard work doesn’t go unnoticed thank you for all you do. This update is designed to support you. It includes the latest subject news, key dates, and resources to help you plan ahead. We hope it gives you clarity and saves you time.
If there’s anything you’d like more information on—or if you need support with something specific—please don’t hesitate to reach out.
Curriculum and Assessment Review
This week the government published the Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report which includes the conclusions and recommendations of the independent review of the curriculum, assessment and qualifications system in England. They also published the Government response to the CAR report which contains a timeline for future reform.
Our response: The Curriculum and Assessment Review is an important milestone for education and skills in the UK – and it’s just the beginning. We welcome the Review’s support for many of the recommendations we shared. All of these have been inspired by our work with schools and colleges across the country. And we’ll keep working to build an education system that empowers students, champions teachers, and drives the UK’s long-term success. As we now move from ideas into further action, we’ll keep collaborating with educators, students, partners, sector experts to drive manageable and truly impactful change. We’ve already started to do this and would love for you to join us in our next steps.
Skills White Paper
Our response to the initial detail of the government's Skills White Paper released 20 October 2025.
Pearson response to Government Skills White Paper
Also see our Future of post-16 level 3 vocational qualifications in England summary.
BTEC National Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)
We have listened carefully and decided that we can improve the experience for teachers and learners by re publishing new improved versions of the PSABs for Unit 4.
The new PSABs will provide raw data for Task 2 and 3 as well as form templates that will help clarify what is expected of the learner when undertaking these PSABs.
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.
New Certificate-size (180 GLH) Level 3 BTEC National AAQs have been approved for funding and will be available for first teaching in England from September 2026.
At 180 guided learning hours, these smaller qualifications are equivalent in size to one AS level (half an A level). These give students the option of qualifications with an applied and practical focus to complement A levels as part of a mixed programme of learning, helping to bring theoretical learning to life. The Certificate qualifications in Computing & Information Technology contain a subset of units which are shared with the Extended Certificate.
Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) Availablility
Our BTEC Nationals Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) are approved and will be open for registrations for your September 2025 cohort:
Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ)
AAQ Getting Started events
Getting Started 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 | Time | Recording/ Registration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computing | 19 May 2025 | 16:00 - 17:00 | Recording |
| Information Technology | 12 May 2025 | 16:00 - 17:00 | Recording |
| Computing | 4 Nov 2025 | 16:00 - 17:00 | Register |
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 | 11 Nov 2025 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Information Technology | 2 Dec 2025 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Information Technology | 3 Feb 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Information Technology | 3 Mar 2026 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Computing | 18 Nov 2025 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Register |
| Computing | 25 Nov 2025 | 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)
Important considerations
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
