The new GCEs in applied subjects are designed to:

• provide a broad introduction to a vocational area in an applied context
• be delivered through work-related contexts
• allow students to gain an understanding of a vocational sector
• provide a broad educational basis for further training, higher education, or progression to appropriate employment within a vocational sector
  

Our extensive new portfolio reflects our continuing commitment to this sector.  Edexcel will be offering nine subjects to succeed the current VCE offer:

Single Award (6 units) – 3 & 6 unit qualification available

• Engineering
• Leisure Studies
• Media
• Performing Arts
  

Double Award (12 units) – 3, 6 & 12 unit qualification available

• Art & Design
• Business
• Health & Social Care
• ICT
• Travel & Tourism
  

We have changed:

• the modes of assessment, in order to enhance student achievement
• the units offered for each title, each now taking account of the revised subject criteria and the feedback from centres on the units in the current VCE qualifications
• the number of titles we offer
  

After careful consideration, the following titles will not be included in the new GCE portfolio:

• Science
• Manufacturing
• Retail & Distributive Services
• Construction & the Built Environment
• Hospitality & Catering
  

Science:
GCE in Biology, Biology (Human), Biology (Salters-Nuffield), Chemistry, Chemistry (Nuffield), Physics and Physics (Salters-Horners)
BTEC National Awards in Applied Science (Applied Biology), Applied Science (Applied Chemistry), Applied Science (Applied Physics)
BTEC National Award and Diploma in Applied Science (Medical Science) (under development)
BTEC National Certificate in Applied Science (Medical Science)
BTEC National Award in Applied Science (Forensic Science) (under development)
BTEC National Certificates in Applied Science (Forensic Science), and Applied Science (Laboratory & Industrial Science)
BTEC National Diplomas in Applied Science (Forensic Science), and Applied Science (Laboratory & Industrial Science)

Manufacturing:
BTEC National Award in Engineering
BTEC National Certificate in Manufacturing Engineering
BTEC National Diploma in Manufacturing Engineering

Retail:
BTEC National Award in Retail
BTEC National Certificate in Retail
BTEC National Diploma in Retail
BTEC National Award in Logistics (under development)
BTEC National Certificate in Logistics (under development)

Construction & the Built Environment:
BTEC National Award in Construction
BTEC National Certificate in Construction
BTEC National Diploma in Construction
BTEC National Certificate in Civil Engineering
BTEC National Diploma in Civil Engineering
BTEC National Certificate in Building Services Engineering
BTEC National Diploma in Building Services Engineering

Hospitality and Catering:
BTEC National Certificate in Hospitality Supervision
BTEC National Diploma in Hospitality Supervision

To ensure a seamless transition, Edexcel will provide you with ongoing information and support, in preparation for the first teaching of the new specifications in September 2005.

Mapping of VCE to the new GCE can be found on this website alongside the Specification and the sample assessment material.  See www.edexcel.org.uk/quals/gce/

Specification guides are currently being written. We are offering a series of Professional Development and Training events to support these qualifications - click here. A number of publishers are developing student textbooks and teacher resource packs for some subjects.

Last re-sit opportunity is January 2007.

Tests will only be availbale on demand. Centres must inform Edexcel by September 15th 2006 if they wish to enter students. We will only prepare papers where a request has been made by that date.