Top Four Alternatives to A-Levels

Are you studying for your GCSE exams next year? Soon, you’ll need to decide “what do I do next?”. Not everyone finds studying easy, and so A-levels may not be the right choice for you. What alternatives to A-levels are there? There are quite a few, and you can even do a mixture of A-Levels and other A-level alternatives that will be your stepping stone to university or employment. There are several options including BTECs, T Levels, NVQs and apprenticeships.

BTEC Diplomas

What is BTEC?

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council, this alternative to A-levels offers a very broad range of vocational courses. There are seven BTEC Levels, from Level 1-2 (like GCSEs) to Level 7 (like a postgraduate degree).

BTECs are different from A-Levels because they focus more on preparing you for specific careers rather than on academic subjects.

BTEC Level 3 is the equivalent and alternative to A-levels for university. However, this does not mean that studying one BTEC is the same as studying one A-level because some BTEC courses take up a lot more time than A-levels. The difference lies in what is referred to as GLH, which stands for Guided Learning Hours. A-level courses have 360 GLH, whereas this alternative to A-level can run into two or three times the number of hours of an A-level course. The length of BTEC varies according to the subject, but broadly the qualifications take the following hours to complete:

Many secondary schools, sixth-form colleges and further education colleges will offer a mixture of A-Levels and BTECs, so it is not uncommon for students to study both qualifications side by side.

The range of BTEC courses is huge, covering sixteen sectors, including subjects like art & design, business, media, hospitality, performing arts, and travel & tourism. These alternatives to a-level may be the perfect solution for students who are less interested in traditional academic subjects and more motivated in practical applications of what they study.

What grades do I need?

Unlike A-Levels, BTECs use different grades:

• Starred Distinction/Distinction Star (D*)
• Distinction (D)
• Merit (M)
• Pass (P)

To get into a UK University, you apply through UCAS. Many universities will offer places based on your A-Level grades. Some universities use UCAS points as a way to measure qualifications.

UCAS turns grades into tariff points, based on the number of hours of study and the difficulty level of the course. Doing a BTEC Extended Certificate takes the same time as an A-level, so the range of UCAS Tariff points is the same for both courses.
This is a good reminder that BTECs should not be considered an easier alternative to A-level; they are simply an alternative with a different focus.

BTEC Qualifications and UCAS Points

What can BTECs lead to?

Although most students going to university go through the A-level route, over 100,000 students enter university each year with a BTEC, making them a popular A-level alternative. This figure has been increasing over the last decade. Most universities, with a few exceptions, such as Oxford and Cambridge, will accept students with BTECs instead of A-Levels.

Although BTECs are accepted as an alternative to A-Levels for university, it is important for anyone thinking of applying to check carefully each university and course as there may be specific requirements.

Of course, not everyone wants to go to university! In 2023, 35.8% of UK 18-year-olds went into higher education. Around two-thirds of school leavers went into employment, apprenticeships or further education. 

Studying BTECs can give you a great headstart into the world of work. Employers are looking for applicants who have practical knowledge, skills and experience on their CV, which comes with doing BTEC courses. BTECs have been around for a long time (since 1996!) so employers are very well aware of the value of those qualifications. 

Pros and Cons

T Levels

What are T Levels?

A T Level is a new two-year qualification that was introduced in 2020. You can take them after completing GCSEs as an A-Level alternative. They focus on students aiming towards a vocational qualification post-16. They combine technical and practical skills, as well as an industrial placement with an employer that lasts for approximately 45 days.

The total time for a T Level is about 1,800 hours. It is spread over two years and carries the same credit as three A-levels.

At the moment you can study T levels in these subjects:

• Agriculture, environment and animal care
• Business and Administration
• Construction, engineering and manufacturing
• Digital, creative and design
• Education and early years
• Health and science
• Legal, finance and accounting

More subjects are expected to be added in 2025. You might not be able to find a T Level course near where you live as they are quite new. You can check on the government’s T Level website: Find a T level near you.

What grades do I need?

T Levels have four passing grades: 

• Starred Distinction(D*)
• Distinction (D)
• Merit (M)
• Pass (P)

You get more points for a T Level than an A-Level because there are more learning hours. The UCAs points may vary slightly as there are different bands of T levels, which range from 1180 to 1780 guided learning hours.

T Levels Qualifications and UCAS Points

What can T Levels lead to?

T Levels focus on skills so at the end of your studies they provide a platform leading to skilled employment, higher education or an apprenticeship. T Levels let you keep your future options open if you are not sure whether you want to go to college or university. Don’t forget there are many subjects you can study at university, so higher education could be a natural progression to studying for a higher qualification in your chosen vocational field.

Pros and Cons

NVQs

What are NVQs?

NVQ stands for National Vocational Qualifications. You can do NVQs in colleges, schools, or workplaces as an A-Level alternative. Choosing an NVQ is ideal if you have a clear career goal in mind. These qualifications have five levels, allowing you to begin at a suitable level and progress upwards. An NVQ level 2 would be roughly equivalent to a GCSE and a Level 3 NVQ is equivalent to an A-level.

What grades do I need?

Not all universities will accept NVQs. It depends on the course and the university, but as a general rule, you may get some UCAS Tariff points for level 3 NVQs. If you use the UCAS Tariff Points Calculator you can see what different NVQs are worth. For example, if you did level 3 NVQs in Sports Performance, Sports Development and Personal Training, you would earn 80 UCAS points, which is equivalent to CDD in A-Levels exam.

What can NVQs lead to?

NVQs can lead to employment as well as provide a stepping stone to some higher education courses such as an HNC (Higher National Certificate), HND (Higher National Diploma) or even a foundation degree at university.

Pros and Cons

Apprenticeships

What are apprenticeships?

An apprenticeship is a paid position where employees gain practical experience and skills. In addition to on-the-job training, apprentices dedicate at least 20% of their working hours to classroom-based learning with a college, university, or training provider, resulting in a nationally recognised qualification.

What grades do I need?

Apprenticeships consist of four levels and take between one and six years to complete. Doing an apprenticeship will not prevent you from going to university at a later time. It is a myth that apprentices don’t suit the university environment. It all depends on the course, the university and your background. Remember you can enter university at any age, and many people choose to enter university as a mature student, where motivation, work and learning style may be very different to that of a school leaver. Here are the apprenticeship types compared to traditional academic qualifications:

Apprenticeships and Equivalent Qualifications

What can apprenticeships lead to?

During an apprenticeship, you are earning money and developing contacts in the world of work which can help you get a job after your apprenticeship finishes. This can give you a competitive advantage in some careers. Later on, university could be an option if you want to study for a higher degree in your chosen field, where your skills and experience would be valued.

Pros and Cons

Not everyone is a good fit to be an A-level student. The level of demand and workload can be very challenging and the subject choices simply are not that interesting to some students. Alternatives to A-Levels like BTECs, which can be done alongside A-Levels, provide an alternative pathway into university or employment.