BTEC Level 1/2 qualifications
Please open the tabs below for information and links to support.
In this update I have signposted key documents which support the Q-TAG process that is in place for vocational qualifications and included key dates which may help with your planning over these next few weeks.
There is so much going on at the moment that our 'Awarding results in 2021' page is well worth bookmarking as it includes all the information and the documents you need.
Please do make sure that you have signed up to receive our VQ Bulletins to ensure that you receive all new information detailing the processes which will operate for this year. You can also review past bulletins if you’ve missed any or sign up to receive future updates if you have not already done so, via the links below.
We have updated our guidance with additions clearly highlighted. This includes confirmation of the use of centre policies for Q-TAGs, and how to use of data when determining your Q-TAG judgements. We are still finalising information in relation to appeals, and will keep you updated.
The administration guidance is now in a separate document.
The International version is the last document listed below.
Key dates:
19-25 May: The Q-TAG ‘portal’ will be open to allow you a read only view of all your certificating learners. If you notice any missing learners, please check they are on the qualification and amend the completion date in Edexcel Online to 1 June 2021. Only learners due to certificate this Summer are eligible for a Q-TAG. Learners that do not have a completion date of this summer will not appear in the portal.
26 May - 18 June: The Q-TAG Portal will be open for centre Q-TAG submissions and Head of Centre Declaration. Q-TAGs must be submitted by 18 June, or results will be delayed. Please contact us if you foresee any issues with this for your centre, and we will try to support you.
In light of the Q-TAG processes this year, we want to advise of the additional QA processes that will be in place:
Please make sure you have a 'Point of Contact' listed in EOL (including a mobile phone number) – we appreciate your support in being contactable during this period to ensure results can be issued on time.
This template is not mandatory, and you can use your own template/records to present the common sources of alternative evidence used.
If you do not wish to use the suggested Pearson template, you must fully complete the BTEC Q-TAG evidence record cover sheet to support your evidence. You could also look to incorporate this into your existing records.
We have put together a video tutorial walkthrough of an example of a completed template to support centres who choose to use it.
We also released some individual learner examples to support you, these are examples (at individual learner level) of the evidence you could consider and how judgements might be made.
Our FAQs are updated regularly and include answers to the latest questions you may have regarding:
Standards verification this year will have both a different format and a different purpose. The purpose this year is to support the Qualification-level Teacher Assessed Grade (TAG) process.
The window for Standards Verification closes on 30 May 2021, and there will be no activity beyond that point. This is so you can focus on the Q-TAG process for your learners.
Your Standards Verifier (SV) will provide clear feedback but will not request a second sample. With the feedback provided, you should review any other grading decisions taking that information into consideration and taking the appropriate actions.
Important note regarding report outcomes
If you have provided a full sample that has been agreed by the SV, then the report will show a ‘release’. If the sample was not fully agreed, then the report will show ‘Pending – Centre Actions Required’ (even though a second sample is not required). This status is for our monitoring purposes only this year, and does not link to the release of results for your learners.
If you are not able to provide a full sample, or any sample at all, then your report will show as ‘Not Yet Fully Sampled’ - again for our tracking purposes.
Although these SV report outcomes will not affect the submission of Q-TAGs or the certification of learners for this year, the provision of sampling will inform the selection of centre programmes at the ‘post-QTAG submission’ QA step. We therefore encourage you to give us sight of your assessment judgements, using the adjusted Standards Verification process this year, to help inform this final QA stage.
We will be releasing more detail of the post-QTAG submission QA stage in the next few weeks.
All sampling will be conducted remotely. We strongly recommend that you submit your standards verification samples digitally using Pearson’s Digital Learner Work Transfer platform (DLWT) or your own file-share platform. If digital submission is not possible you should use our free secure courier service to send the sample via USB.
Read how to submit files via DLWT
There is guidance on how to encrypt files in Appendix A of the BTEC Guide to Standards Verification.
Go to the BTEC Centre Guide to Standards Verification
Please do not send us the originals of the work if submitting as we will be unable to return them to you once sampling has been completed.
We recognise and anticipate that mid-flight learners due to certificate next year will have been impacted by a different level of disruption than those completing this year. We also understand that learners and centres are keen to know unit level results to make decisions, but as we do not yet know what the situation we will be next year, our decision is to ensure that we do the right thing by learners and take the time to review the situation next academic year, and take the impact into account at the point of certification for these learners.
In light of this we can confirm that we will request Qualification-level or Unit-level Teacher Assessed Grades for mid-flight learners, at the appropriate point of certification next academic year. We anticipate that this will be in January 2022 for March completers, and June 2022, for summer completers. Further detail will be confirmed closer to the time.
TAGs will only be permitted for those learners where there are ‘reduced assessment’ flags and/or external assessment entries in place this academic year (applicable between 30 August 2020 and 31 August 2021, in line with the eligibility window for the VCRF).
All other assessments for the relevant qualification will need to be taught and assessed, and evidence retained, so that it can be quality assured, and used to inform the TAG.
(VCRF - Vocational and technical qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework).
Option | Please select |
Customer options | Teacher & Department Heads |
Issue type | Systems, Tools & Services |
Category type | BTEC Assignment Checking Service |
You can then complete the rest of the online form providing all the information relevant to your case, attach the assignment brief once you have submitted the case.
Please ensure that you have also read the ACS terms & conditions.
Web for BTEC is a customised search engine covering both Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications, designed to help your learners cut through the internet’s noise and overload and go straight to the content they need. It helps learners develop their research skills by showing articles and videos solely related to BTEC qualifications. The content is relevant to your learners' specific subjects and approved by teachers, all served without distractions.
Web for BTEC provides learners with the option to filter results by reading level, making the resources not only relevant, but relatable and most importantly readable, so they have the confidence to explore the subject and fall in love with learning.
Accessed via an ActiveLearn log in* here, your learners can use this customised search tool to focus, achieve and love learning.
*Creating an ActiveLearn log in is free and takes less than a minute. See the sign-up section on our Web for BTEC home page. No data or information is shared with any 3rd parties.
The Professional Development Academy is a one-stop shop that provides access to a wide range of flexible, high-quality online courses for teachers.
You will find a range of on-demand, live and self-guided training courses creating flexible options for learning at a time that suits individual needs.
Please open the tabs below for information and links to support.
This free networking and customer briefing session is aimed at UK based teachers, lecturers, providers, or trainers who are currently delivering a BTEC Level 2 and 3 qualification(s) in Enterprise
Please do read the Tech Awards Assessment Evidence Adaptations document for news on
Page 2 of the document states:
These mitigations apply to those learners who will be completing their assessments for these components in this academic year (2020-2021) regardless of the intended certification date.
Delivery guidance is also available from page 10 of the 'Enterprise' document below.
In September 2020 the DfE published the technical guidance for KS4 qualifications to be included in 2024 performance tables in England. In order to meet these new requirements, Pearson has submitted thePearson BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise for approval for 2024 performance tables.
We've retained many key features of our current BTEC Tech Awards:
New additions to meet KS4 performance measure requirements will include:
We will be launching draft specifications later this year following regulator feedback and will be holding launch events at that time.
The Department for Education (DfE) has confirmed that qualifications approved for inclusion in the KS4 2020 performance tables will also be included in performance tables for 2021, 2022 and 2023.
Our BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Enterprise will continue to count towards 2021, 2022 and 2023 Key Stage 4 performance tables. You can continue to register learners onto this qualification for completion in 2023.
A guide to DfE performance tables.
Key DfE requirements for qualifications to be elgible for 2024 performance tables
This free networking and customer briefing session is aimed at UK based teachers, lecturers, providers, or trainers who are currently delivering a BTEC Level 2 and 3 qualification(s) in Business
This reduces the number of internal units which need to be assessed. The Reduced Unit Assessment for the BTEC Firsts (RQF) is as follows:
The following principles apply to all learners:
Please see page 11 of the Reduced unit assessment guidance below.
Delivery guidance is available from page 31 of the 'Business' document below.
Please open the tabs below for information and links to support.
The Level 2 BTEC Technical Certificate in Business Enterprise (240 glh) is for post 16 learners intending to progress directly to employment in a business, or to a Level 3 Technical qualification or an Apprenticeship.
This reduces the number of internal units which need to be assessed. The Reduced Unit Assessment for the BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Business Enterprise is 60 GLH.
The following principles apply to all learners:
Please see page 11 of the Reduced unit assessment guidance below
Unit 2
Employer engagement is not required.
LA A and C: Use of online platforms for meetings with enterprises/ entrepreneurs and online questionnaires/surveys can be used to gather primary research.
LA B: Choice of enterprise ideas could be reviewed as learners may need to adapt ideas to fit online methods of marketing and selling.
Unit 3
LA A and B: Methods used are likely to be digital and online as determined by local and/ or national restrictions in place.
Unit 4
LA A and B: - Use of online meetings with potential customers and online questionnaires. Presentation could be via online platform to virtual audience. This would need to be recorded for assessment/ verification purposes.
LAC: This could be addressed as feedback in an online survey or questionnaire if the pitch had to be recorded to gain necessary feedback.
Learners can carry out self-review of recordings. Videos of recordings would need to created in order for assessment of non-verbal communication skills to be assessed/verified.
Please see pages 11-12 of the Enterprise Delivery Guidance below.
The Level 2 BTEC Technical Certificate in Marketing (240 glh) is for post 16 learners and can be taken as part of a wider study programme. It's an ideal qualification for learners who are intending to progress directly to employment in an administrative role, or to a business administration apprenticeship.
This reduces the number of internal units which need to be assessed. The Reduced Unit Assessment for the BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Business Administration is 60 GLH.
The following principles apply to all learners:
Please see page 11 of the Reduced unit assessment guidance below
Unit 2
Employer engagement/ work experience/ workplace is not required.
LA A: Three admin tasks can be evidenced. These can include managing
an electronic diary, taking minutes at a remote meeting, and learners
can suggest how travel arrangements could be made in given scenarios/ case studies.
LA B: The need for three different types of equipment can be reduced
to two. These can include: telephone (remove the requirement for a
telephone system), computer and use of a free app such as “scan bot”
where learners can showcase scanning skills used on a tablet/smartphone.
For 2020/2021 only, the assessment criteria have been adapted as follows:
B.P3: Use at least two different types of office equipment safely,
following instructions and procedures.
B.M3: Select and use at least two different types of office equipment
safely, in line with instructions and procedures.
B.D3 Select and use at least two different types of office equipment
safely and competently, in line with instructions and procedures.
LA C: The need for learners to evidence non-verbal communication has
been removed. Role play can be used to imitate work-place scenarios
using only written and verbal communication.
For 2020/2021 only, the assessment criteria have been adapted as follows:
C.P4 Communicate effectively with others using acceptable and
appropriate written and verbal communication skills and techniques.
C.P5 Demonstrate acceptable and appropriate behaviour
C.M4 Act in an exemplary manner and demonstrate good written and
verbal communication skills that are appropriate to the situations.
C.D4 Act in an exemplary manner and consistently demonstrate
professional written and verbal communication skills that are appropriate to the situations
Unit 3
LA A: If learners have no access remotely to data management software
learners can instead create instruction manuals describing how to
undertake the processes as outlined in the assessment criteria.
Learners could have access to case studies and screenshots to aid them
in describing the processes.
For 2020/2021 only, the assessment criteria have been adapted as follows:
A.P1: Describe how computer equipment can be used in line with
health, safety and security procedures.
A.P2: Describe how to enter, edit, format and store information
accurately using data management software appropriate to the
requirements of tasks.
A.M1: Describe how to use basic software interrogation tools to
correctly extract and collate information to meet task requirements.
A.D1: Describe navigation and use of more advanced interrogation
tools to analyse, manipulate and present accurate business information
to meet task requirements.
LA B: This can be undertaken on tablets/ smart devices remotely, using
free apps.
Unit 4
Business event could be a remote meeting e.g., setting up the online
event, sending out diary invites, typing up agenda and minutes and
circulating these.
LA C: No requirement for learners to gain participant feedback.
However, learners could evaluate the event themselves, considering
what went well and what improvements could be made.
Please see pages 13-15 of the Enterprise Delivery Guidance below.
The Level 2 BTEC Technical Certificate in Marketing (240 glh) is for post 16 learners who are interested in a career in marketing. The qualification is included in performance tables.
This reduces the number of internal units which need to be assessed. The Reduced Unit Assessment for the BTEC Level 2 Technical Certificate in Marketing is 60 GLH.
The following principles apply to all learners:
Please see page 11 of the Reduced unit assessment guidance below
Unit 2
Employer engagement/ work experience/ workplace is not required.
LA B: Primary research may be challenging if remote learning. Online questionnaires such as Survey Monkey can be used with a limited representation of the target audience.
LA C: Data can be presented in graphical/ written form.
Unit 3
LA C: If learners have no access remotely to appropriate software learners can instead create instruction manuals describing how to undertake the processes as outlined in the assessment criteria. If this is the case, learners will be assessed on their ability to describe the processes, rather than create.
The need for three digital marketing personas to be created has been reduced to two with description of optimisation rather than the use, in the event learners cannot access the necessary software.
Learners can create digital marketing communications such as email marketing, vlog, blog, online PR, social media post etc.
For 2020/2021 only, the assessment criteria have been adapted as follows:
C.P4: Create two digital marketing personas, giving a basic representation of the target audience.
C.P5: Design and create two digital marketing communications for a selected product or service, using basic tools and techniques to meet specific objectives and describe how optimisation could be used
C.M3: Create two digital marketing personas that give a detailed representation of the target audience and allow the effective design and creation of two digital marketing communications for a selected product or service to meet specified objectives, describing how optimisation
techniques and features could be used effectively.
C.D3 Create two digital marketing personas that give a comprehensive representation of the target audience and allow coherent design and creation of two digital marketing communications for a selected product or service to meet specified objectives, describing how advanced optimisation techniques and features and a split test could be used effectively
Unit 4
LA C: Presentation can be delivered remotely online. Or, alternatively, learners could record themselves delivering the presentation and share this to peers/ teachers to gain relevant feedback.
Please see pages 16-18 of the Enterprise Delivery Guidance below.
Please open the tabs below for more information and support.
Delivery guidance is available from page 7 of the 'Business' document below.
Reduced unit assessment guidance is provided in the second document.
This new digital resource accompanies the BTEC Nationals in Business.
Currently, Business+ is available for marketing units:
• Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Campaign
• Unit 17: Digital Marketing
• Unit 22: Market Research
Each unit is available to purchase individually, with prices from as little as £6 per student.
Every purchase for the Learning Hub comes with a complementary login for teachers.
This free networking and customer briefing session is aimed at UK based teachers, lecturers, providers, or trainers who are currently delivering a BTEC Level 2 and 3 qualification(s) in Business
Getting Ready to Teach BTEC Level 3 Business
Getting Started: ways to teach and assess BTEC Nationals in Business
We have partnership agreements with the following organisations:
Some learners have been concerned at not being able to find the BTEC Nationals on the UCAS application website.
Our advice is:
1) Enter "BTEC National" into the qualification search field.
2) Select: "Pearson BTEC Level 3 National [relevant size/GLH] (First teaching Sept 2016)"
3) Select the relevant subject/pathway.
If you search for a "2019" BTEC or if you omit the word "National", you won't find it. All the Nationals from 2016 onwards are categorised under "first teaching Sept 16", as it is part of the new suite regardless of the year of first teaching for a specific subject.
Linking London in conjunction with some of their university members are making available some support to help you support your first year BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma learners in making choices about HE progression. They are creating free resources for schools and colleges, and will be running pre-recorded events for students. Please see below for more information from them.
Linking London’s Uni Connect Outreach Hub invites you to register to receive our BTEC Extended Diploma Support Package which will consist of pre-recorded videos produced by five of our HE partners.
See the Outreach Hub resources
The videos will be tailored to BTEC Extended Diploma Year 1 students who are beginning to research their university options and we will also be including various resources to support students with the decision-making process.
This free networking and customer briefing session is aimed at UK based teachers, lecturers, providers, or trainers who are currently delivering a BTEC Level 2 and 3 qualification(s) in Enterprise
Delivery guidance is available from page 7 of the 'Enterprise' document below.
Reduced unit assessment guidance is in the second document.
Getting Started: ways to teach and assess BTEC Nationals in Enterprise & Entrepreneurship
Some learners have been concerned at not being able to find the BTEC Nationals on the UCAS application website.
Our advice is:
1) Enter "BTEC National" into the qualification search field.
2) Select: "Pearson BTEC Level 3 National [relevant size/GLH] (First teaching Sept 2016)"
3) Select the relevant subject/pathway.
If you search for a "2019" BTEC or if you omit the word "National", you won't find it. All the Nationals from 2016 onwards are categorised under "first teaching Sept 16", as it is part of the new suite regardless of the year of first teaching for a specific subject.
The Level 3 BTEC Nationals in Marketing are not eligible for inclusion in performance tables but are eligible for funding.
Getting Started with the BTEC Nationals in Marketing
We have a new digital resource called Marketing Plus to support this qualification.
We have professional partnership agreement with CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing)
You can find answers to FAQs as well as the latest Bulletin in the links below. The guidance document will also take you through the process.
The specification for International Level 3 Business and International Level 3 Enterprise & Entrepreneurship is available on the qualification page.
The following support materials are also available:
The student resources are only available as e-texts on the Learning Hub site, and are all available now. If a you want to have access, please complete an expression of Interest form .
If you have any queries, want to be kept updated or need to know how to start offering these qualifications in your centre, contact one of our Sales Representatives.
We’ve agreed with CMI that students studying the Pearson BTEC International Level 3 in Business and Enterprise are eligible for Foundation Chartered Manager status, awarded only by CMI.
The BTEC Higher Nationals in Business have been revalidated. The specification is now live on our website and HN Global. This is available for first teaching from September 2021.
The new qualifications include enhanced work-related curriculum that is designed to address an increasing need for high quality professional and technical education pathways at Levels 4 and 5, equipping students with the right skills and competencies for the workplace or progression to further higher education study.
Ofqual has published the requirements for the Vocational and Technical Qualifications Contingency Regulatory Framework (VCRF), and we can now share our detailed guidance for Delivery and Assessment for Summer 2021 (please see below).
Wherever possible delivery and assessment should continue where safe to do so or via online delivery, using adaptations outlined in the Delivery and Assessment Guidance for BTEC Higher Nationals 2020-2021 (also below).
The primary mitigation for BTEC Higher National qualifications will be to 'Adapt' assessments, however, we understand that in some instances that will not be possible. Ofqual-regulated BTEC Higher Nationals are in Category B2 and are eligible for Unit Level Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGSs), with some exceptions detailed in the guidance.
Where unit assessments are incomplete, or have not taken place, centres are advised to use completed formative and summative assessments to make Teacher Assessed Grade decisions at unit level, as outlined in the Delivery and Assessment for Summer 2021 guidance.
What are the key things to know?
What additional support will be provided?
We will continue to review our FAQs regularly, adding more information when needed.
We will publish a video explaining the guidance to assessment and awarding for BTEC Higher Nationals in 2020/21 on our website by Wednesday 7 April.
You can also attend one of our live training sessions:
We have updated the Delivery and Assessment for BTEC Higher Nationals in 2021 document on our website with guidance about appeals for summer 2021.
The new section is highlighted in yellow for your convenience. If you have any questions about the process, please reach out to us at hnqa@pearson.com.
The last registration date for the current (2016) specification is 31 August 2021. All new registrations from the 1 September 2021 will be on the new specification.
The current Higher Nationals in Business will expire 31st August 2021. Existing HNC/D students can continue to complete their studies on the current specification. Please be advised of the following:
Every year, we conduct a survey with BTEC Higher National students from around the world to hear about their experience on their HN programme. We use it to inform the future design of the qualifications, and support the development of resources for BTEC HN students globally.
This year’s student survey will be open from 19 April 2021 to 17 May 2021, and we’d appreciate if you could encourage your students to complete it.
As an incentive to students, everyone who submits the survey will be entered into a prize draw to win a £100 Amazon voucher.
We are also committed to providing each centre, where at least eight students complete the survey, a bespoke results report, which will detail what your students think of your HN programmes and how this compares with other Pearson approved centres.
For further information and guidance, sign up now for forthcoming ‘What’s New –Introduction to the new 2021 Higher Nationals in Business’ free training sessions.
All teaching and learning materials are only accessible via a dedicated page on HN Global. This includes the relevant and current files for the RQF qualification you’re teaching, including Example Assessment Briefs and Themes and Topics for Pearson-set units.
There is now a library of e-resources for Business linked in the subject page on HN Global.
To create an account please go to hnglobal.highernationals.com.
If you have any questions please contact us at hnglobal@pearson.com.
The MLN request submission process has been updated to use an online form
Welcome to this April 2024 update.
This update includes news of two Component 3 training events for the Tech Award this month. There is also information about the January 2024 Tech Award results including the grade boundaries, claiming certification, and entering for resits.
The deadline for the submission of work via Learner Work Transfer for the BTEC Tech Awards is now 15 May 2024 (extended from 1 May 2024).
Welcome to this March 2024 update.
The deadline for the submission of work via Learner Work Transfer for the BTEC Tech Awards is now 15 May 2024 (extended from 1 May 2024).
This update also includes news of two training events for the Tech Award before Easter about the internally assessed components, and one event after Easter about Component 3. There is also information about claiming certification and entering for resits.
I hope that you are able to enjoy the Easter break when it comes.