We are very aware that your learners may need extra support in the run-up to and on Results Day. We would be very grateful if you could ensure that your learners are aware of where to find information and how to contact us should they need to.

Please advise them that they can follow @BTECStudents or check our student webpage which are both updated regularly with the latest information. And, that if they have any specific questions for us, they can contact us, where live chat is also available, or phone us on 0345 618 0440. Phone lines will open at 8:30am on Results Days.

As communicated in the recent VQ Status Update to support centre administration of BTEC qualification results, MIS-compatible embargoed results data will be provided on 4 August via the registered Exam Officer's EOL mailbox, to enable administrative checks and activities to take place. 

We will be contacting the registered Exam Officer with permission to access results via Edexcel Online, to confirm that the BTEC embargoed results will be sent to their EOL mailbox on 4 August.  

If you do not have a user with the correct access, we will not be able to send embargoed results in advance, so please take the time to ensure you have someone registered on EOL with the correct results credentials.

Results must be handled securely and continue to be embargoed until the relevant learner release date(s):  

• Level 3 BTEC Nationals: 10 August 2021 
• Level 1/2 BTEC Firsts and Tech Awards and Level 2 BTEC Technicals: 12 August 2021 
  

Please note that following a request from stakeholders, the time that BTEC Level 3 Nationals results can be released to students on 10 August 2021 is 8.30am. This is different to previous years (where the time results release time was 8am) and the time we previously said it would be. It is important that results are embargoed till that time. 

We hope this does not cause any inconvenience for centres. The change to a later time is to coincide with when information relating to outcomes of university offers will be available on the UCAS Track portal from 8.30am on 10 August 2021.  

UCAS have also announced an extension to the UCAS Advisory deadline to 8 September 2021. This is the date by which any offer conditions must be met. Centres may submit appeals for university applicant learners that have not attained their firm offer using the ‘priority appeal’ option. 

We updated you on our plans for midflight learners and the use of the ‘Z flag’ in Bulletin 21. We have also updated our teaching and learning webpage to reflect the current information for mid-flight learners. We will update you when we are in a position to, regarding other permitted adaptations and mitigations for the 2021/22 academic year. 

This is a reminder of certain legacy BTEC Nationals that have been withdrawn in 2021:

• BTEC Nationals being withdrawn | 2021

As a reminder if you are intending to top up to a larger size, you will need to do so before the last registration date. The sector guide of BTEC Level 3 Nationals available, in England, Northern Ireland and Wales can be found here: BTEC Nationals Sector Guide.

We are always looking to ensure our specifications are up to date with changes to legislation and that we correct any typos that are spotted. Please download the latest version of the specification that you are teaching. A summary of changes can be found in the front of each specification. 

The following qualifications have had changes made to an external assessment, summary of changes, additional sample assessment and further guidance can be found below.

BTEC Nationals in Applied Science and BTEC Nationals in Forensic and Criminal Investigation

Please note the changes to Unit 3 assessments as implemented in January 2021, as an adaptation for COVID-19, will be the new format of assessment from January 2022 onwards. This guide will provide further information, guidance and support materials: Applied Science and Forensic and Criminal Investigation Guide.

BTEC Nationals Business Level 3 (RQF 2016)

Please note there are changes to the assessment for Unit 2 - Developing a Marketing Campaign which will be implemented for first assessment in January 2022 series, this guide will provide further information and guidance: Business, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Guide.

The BTEC subject-by-subject guide in which Pearson and BTEC qualifications are included in performance tables in England (Applied General, Tech Level, Technical Certificates and Technical Awards) has been updated. This now reflects the Department for Education's 2023 Performance Points. You can also find updated documents for:

• the full list (XLXS | 429KB) of the Department for Education's Approved Key Stage 4 Technical Awards qualifications, discount codes and point scores for reporting in the 2014 to 2023 school and college performance tables
• the Department for Education’s Approved 16 to 18 qualifications (XLXS | 511KB), discount codes and point scores for reporting in the 2018 to 2023 school and college performance tables. 

Last September the DfE published the technical guidance for KS4 qualifications to be included in 2024 performance tables in England. To meet these new requirements, Pearson has submitted revised BTEC Tech Award qualifications for approval - we are making amendments to our draft specifications following feedback from Ofqual and will be sharing them with you the week of 19th July.

As a result, you will be able to plan your curriculum for next year, plus we will be supporting the launch of the revised qualifications with a series of events for all subjects from September. The revised Tech Awards will cover all our current subject areas plus the popular BTEC Firsts in Animal Care, Construction and Sport have been redeveloped as part of the qualification suite - 13 subject areas in total.

Our teaching & learning content has been retained in its current form for most subjects, with changes made to increase clarity and enhance delivery and assessment – see our guide to the changes. We’ve also made improvements to administrative processes, and the redeveloped qualifications will be fully supported by a comprehensive range of teaching and learning materials. Our subject advisors will also be on hand to help you transition and support you throughout teaching and delivery.

The Pearson Quality Advisor Team offer a range of free online events to support all aspects of Quality Assurance in relation to your BTEC programmes. Whatever your role, please take a look at our list of events on offer on our Quality Support Hub Events page. These events are offered on different days and at different times so we are sure you will find a slot to suit you and your teams.

Our next event is Friday 16 July 12pm - 1pm, a brief overview of the Quality Assurance process for 2021/22. We are limiting attendance to 1 person per centre, although we'll be making the recording available.

Notifications of Performance (NOPs) for B1 qualifications (those most like GCSEs and AS/A levels) are not being printed as previously communicated to centres.

This is to align with General Qualifications and in recognition of the Q-TAG process in place this year. NOPs for A (competency qualifications) and B2 qualifications (those not similar to GCSEs and AS/A levels) are being printed within two weeks and despatched separately.