A presentation outlining the differences between A Levels, IB and BTEC, with advantages and disadvantages. The presentation was given at the Education and Childcare Show in Dubai on Friday 20th January 2017

1. Sixth Form Pathways:
ALevels,IBandBTEC
AdvantagesandDisadvantages
Mark S. Steed, MA (Cambridge), MA (Nottingham)
Director, JESS, Dubai
@JESSDubai
@JESS_Director
@IndependentHead
Education and Childcare Show, Dubai Friday 20th January 2017

2. MarkS.SteedMA(Cambridge), MA(Nottingham)
DirectorofJESSDubai
Headmaster Kelly College UK A-level and BTEC
Principal Berkhamsted School, UK A-level + Mini-MBA
Director JESS, Dubai, UAE IBDP, IB Courses, BTEC

3. A-level
International Baccalaureate Diploma
BTEC
National Extended Diploma Level 3

5. Structure
 The norm in UK state schools is to
study for three A-levels.
 UK University offers are based on
three A-levels.
 A-level is now a two year linear
course.
 Most schools offer a free choice of
subjects.

6. Grading
Structure
andUCAS
Tariff
Grade UCAS Points
A* 56
A 48
B 40
C 32
D 24
E 16

7. Strengths
and
Weaknesses
Strengths
 Internationally
recognized
qualification
 Allows for subject
specialization at age
16
 Highest level
qualification at 18 in
the world
Weaknesses
 Need to supplement
the curriculum to give a
breadth of education
 Extended Project
Qualification
 Mini MBA
 Allows for subject
specialization at age 16
 Can opt out of English
and Mathematics
 UK Government
Interference and Grade
Inflation

9. Structure
 Students study
 three subjects at Higher Level
 three subjects at Standard Level
 Extended Essay
 Theory of Knowledge
 Creativity, Activity, Service

10. Grading
Structure
Higher
Level (x3)
Standard
Level (x3)
Extended
Essay
Theory of
Knowledge
7 7 A A
6 6 B B
5 5 C C
4 4 D D
3 3 E E
2 2
1 1
Maximum Score is 45 points
Pass Mark for IBDP is 24 points
IBDP Grading Structure

11. UCASTariff
Higher
Level (x3)
Standard
Level (x3)
Extended
Essay
Theory of
Knowledge
56 28 12 12
48 24 10 10
32 16 8 8
24 12 6 6
12 6 4 4
0 0
0 0
Maximum Score is 45 points
Pass Mark for IBDP is 24 points
IBDP UCASTariff

12. Strengths
and
Weaknesses
Strengths
 Internationally
recognized
qualification
 Truly broad education
 Required Breadth of
Subjects
 Extended Essay
 Theory of Knowledge
 Creativity,Activity,
Service
 Skills for university
and life
 Presentation Skills
Weaknesses
 Required breadth of
subject knowledge
 Mathematics
 Languages
 Can’t study three
sciences.

14. Structure
 Students study one subject.
 BTEC is designed to allow students
to show the best that they can do.
 There are no examinations.
 There is flexible assessment, but
most is coursework based, which
can be resubmitted along the way.

15. Grading
Structure
andUCAS
Tariff
Grades
Distinction* D*
Distinction D
Merit M
Pass P

16. Grading
Structure
andUCAS
Tariff
Grades UCASTariff
D*D*D* 168
D*D*D 160
D*DD 152
DDD 144
DDM 128
DMM 112
MMM 96
MMP 80
MPP 64
PPP 48

17. Strengths
and
Weaknesses
Strengths
 Flexibility of the
Modular Course
 No final examinations
 Vocational
 Links with Industry
Weaknesses
 Less globally
recognized
qualification
 Very specialized -
one subject

18. A-level,IBandBTEC
Comparison

19. UCAS POINTS A-level IBDP BTEC
276 A*A*A*A*A* 45 pts -
224 A*A*A*A* 37 pts -
168 A*A*A* 32 pts D*D*D*
144 AAA 28 pts DDD
120 BBB 24 pts DMM/DDM
96 CCC - MMM
JESS, Dubai IBDP Average is 35.3 points

22. Business BTEC +
CISI Diploma in Financial Risk and
Assessment
Art BTEC
+
Art History
Sport BTEC
+
Coaching Qualifications
JESS, Dubai Specialist Courses

23. MarkS.SteedMA(Cambridge), MA(Nottingham)
DirectorofJESSDubai
Email: Director@jess.sch.ae
Twitter: @JESS_Director
@independenthead
LinkedIn: uk.linkedin.com/in/independenthead
Blog: http://independenthead.blogspot.com
SlideShare: http://www.slideshare.net/independenthead