Over 230,000 Btec students will receive their Level 3 results today, allowing them to take the next steps in their career journey. This means that the number of people who have completed a Btec in the last 10 years alone now stands at over 6 million.

As for A levels and GCSEs, the grading process for vocational qualifications, including Btecs, was adapted this year, and schools and colleges were asked to determine a final qualification-level teacher assessed grade (Q-TAG) for each of their Btec learners.  

Many Btecs face the axe over the coming years as the government pursues its reform of level 3 qualifications and continues to roll out the new, “gold standard” T levels.

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According to awarding body Pearson, Btecs provide learners with the knowledge, skills and behaviours they need to progress and are globally recognised. They continue to be the most popular vocational qualification to support progress to university, with half of Level 3 Btec graduates continuing to higher education.

Many of the students receiving results today will now step into sectors experiencing a skills gap.

This year: 

• 30,300 students will have completed a Level 3 Btec in applied science 
• 33,700 in health and social care 
• 23,500 in IT and computing 
• 16,500 in engineering 
• 4,200 in construction 

Cindy Rampersaud, Pearson’s senior vice president for Btec and apprenticeships, said: “I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you to every teacher, tutor, lecturer, school and college leader and parent for the incredible effort they have made to support students achieving the grades they have worked so hard for this year. These students have come through another extraordinary year with the qualifications, skills and experience to prepare them for the next stage of their journey - be it onto university, into an apprenticeship or into the world of work- setting them up to follow their aspirations and succeed in their future careers and life. Congratulations to the class of 2021! We wish each and every one of you all the very best on your next steps.” 

Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: “Students have worked very hard in what has been an extraordinary and challenging year, and each and every one of them should feel incredibly proud of their achievements. We should all celebrate their resilience and ability to overcome adversity.

“Teachers and staff have ensured that, despite the disruption caused by the pandemic, all students are able to get grades this year and so can take their next steps and make their choices about further study or entering the workplace.

“I am hugely grateful to teachers and also parents for supporting our young people in progressing to the next stage in their lives with confidence.”