BTEC Nationals BTEC Nationals from 2025

Continue to teach BTEC with confidence

The new Level 3 BTEC Nationals (AAQ) qualifications are:

• Engaging and future-focused - providing opportunities for students to learn in real, relatable and practical ways and designed to ensure that they develop critical knowledge and transferable skills to navigate the future.

Read more on how we are 'Preparing learners for their future'

Download your BTEC Transferable Skills Framework - Guide for Teachers

• Accessible and fair for students, balanced with the demands of progression to the next stage of learning - the use of the N Grade and our holistic approach to designing assessment criteria means that qualifications are attainable for students whilst ensuring that they have a solid foundation of skills and knowledge, and the confidence to progress.
• Accepted and supported by universities - developed in collaboration with educators and universities to ensure students have the right combination of skills and knowledge for success in higher education. Over 100 letters of support from universities.
• Well supported and straightforward to deliver and administer - simple structure making unit combination more straightforward; uniformed format of external assessment across subjects to streamline administration; Pearson-Set Assignment Briefs (PSABs) removing the need for centres to plan their own assignments, and wide range of training and support (see below).

In addition, these new qualifications retain the core features that have made BTEC Nationals the vocational qualifications of choice for over 40 years: modular approach with a combination of examination and assignments; Pass, Merit and Distinction grading scale enabling students to receive appropriate recognition for their achievement and a supportive and transparent standards verification model.

The new qualifications were submitted as Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQ) to the Department for Education and the 8 qualifications submitted in Cycle 1 have been approved for funding for first teaching from September 2025. Plus, the 4 qualifications submitted in Cycle 1b have been approved for funding and will be available for first teaching from September 2026. 

Download your guide to BTEC Nationals from 2025

Who are these qualifications for?

The Level 3 BTEC Nationals (AAQs) are for post-16 students aiming to progress to higher education as a route to graduate level employment. With their applied and practical focus, they perfectly complement A levels as a part of a mixed programme of learning, helping to bring more theoretical learning to life.

When will the new qualifications be available?

The Level 3 BTEC Nationals (AAQ) qualifications are being developed in two cycles in line with the phasing of the reform.

• Extended Certificate Qualifications in Cycle 1 are approved for funding for first teaching from September 2025
• Certificate Qualifications in Cycle 1b are approved for funding for first teaching from September 2026. 

The Certificate qualifications contain a subset of units which are shared with the Extended Certificate.

Click the images to view specifications, sample assessment materials and transition guides.

Download your Certificate guide

Guidance and support for every step of your BTEC delivery journey

Guidance and support has always been a big part of our BTEC offer and so we will be providing guidance and support for each role within your team and for every stage of the delivery journey.

Level 3 BTEC Nationals (AAQs) and Edexcel A levels - the complete solution for your 16-19 mixed study programmes

Talk to us about delivering Level 3 BTEC Nationals  (AAQs)