We believe that this decision materially undermines the objectives of the Government's own Science and Innovation Strategy.  According to UCAS and the many professional bodies who cite BTEC qualifications for entry to their professional organisations, the technical skills and knowledge gained through BTECs are commensurate, recognised and much needed in industry.

We also believe that it undermines the achievements made by over 15,000 school students currently enrolled on science BTECs in many top performing schools and sixth form centres around the country.  Many of them will use this applied route to go on to study BTEC sciences in Further or Higher Education institutions using the UCAS points BTECs attract for transfer to university to gain degrees.  

Many good science teachers working with Edexcel have come through the BTEC route and initial feedback from them is disappointment that their work will not count for schools' league table data. 

Edexcel understands that the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) is currently reviewing this decision and we will update this site when further details are available.