BTEC qualifications

We accept a variety of BTEC Level 3 National qualifications for entry to our undergraduate courses.

Most BTEC qualifications awarded from 2022 will be Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF) awards rather than the pre-reformed Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) awards.

The typical offer information given on our course finder is presented in RQF format but please see the section below or contact us if you have a QCF BTEC as we may still be able to consider it.

Our course finder presents the BTEC offer as BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma as this is the equivalent of three A-levels. We may ask for Distinctions in particular units, and we may ask for an additional A-level or completion of an admissions test to satisfy a particular subject requirement.

Please note that this information relates to BTEC Level 3 National awards only. BTEC International awards are not accepted.

Please check the dropdown boxes below for accepted BTEC/A-level combinations and the subject-specific requirements guidance below for acceptable units to meet Chemistry, Biology, Physics and Engineering Science requirements.  

The RQF BTEC awards are categorised into Applied General, and Tech Level awards.

Applied Generals

Where we have a course with no specified A-level subject requirements we can accept any Applied General BTEC title as follows.

BTEC Level 3 National (RQF) Extended Diploma in:

  • Applied Law 601/9043/7
  • Applied Science 601/7437/7
  • Arts and Design 601/7229/0
  • Business 601/7160/1
  • Computing 601/7342/7
  • Creative Digital Media Production 601/7469/9
  • Enterprise and Entrepreneurship 603/0303/7
  • Forensic and Criminal Investigation 603/0247/1
  • Health and Social Care 601/7198/4
  • Information Technology 603/0454/6
  • Performing Arts 601/7234/4
  • Sport 603/0459/5
  • Sport and Exercise Science 601/7422/5

This list follows the Applied General list of titles published by Pearson Edexcel. There may be some instances where the title of your qualification varies from the list above, for example, an applied science BTEC may be awarded as ‘Biomedical Science’ depending on the units completed, but we would still consider these ‘branch’ titles to be acceptable under the Applied Science title. 

BTEC Tech Levels

We can accept certain Tech Level subjects for particular courses and these will be specified on the relevant course web page. 

BTEC Level 3 National (RQF) Extended Diploma in:

  • Engineering 601/7588/6
  • Extended Diploma in Music Technology 601/7351/8

See the following table to understand what the A-level equivalent is for each BTEC qualification accepted by the University of Bristol. Please note, that additional A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) will be required alongside these to meet any subject requirements:

Accepted qualifications: A-level equivalent
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate/
Subsidiary Diploma		 1 A-level
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma 1 A-level
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma 2 A-levels
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma 3 A-levels

We accept the following combinations with BTEC National Diploma or BTEC Extended Certificate:

  • BTEC National Diploma must be accompanied by one A-level (or equivalent academic qualification).
  • BTEC Extended Certificates must be accompanied by at least one A-level (or equivalent academic qualification) for a total of three graded level 3 awards.

Where we stipulate that a BTEC must be accompanied by an A-level or equivalent qualification, we do not accept additional vocational qualifications.

Academic qualifications we accept to accompany a Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate or BTEC Level 3 National Diploma are: A-levels, International Baccalaureate certificates, Scottish Advanced Highers, and Cambridge Pre-U. We cannot accept the Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge as an accompanying qualification in this instance.

We cannot consider more than two BTEC National Extended Certificates as part of an applicant’s academic profile and these should be accompanied by one academic qualification.

Please note that BTEC awards must be fully graded (for example Pass, Merit or Distinction) to be accepted. We cannot consider awards with Pass/Fail grading only. 

If you are unsure whether your qualifications will be considered, please contact us.

While we understand the majority of applicants will be taking BTEC National qualifications under the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), we acknowledge there will still be those taking or having taken the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) BTECs (prior to 2015). We will consider these when accompanied by at least one A-Level. In addition, any subject requirements must also be met with an A-level.

There are a limited number of QCF BTEC qualifications that we cannot accept for any course, and we cannot accept any Specialist or Professional QCF BTEC awards.

We also cannot accept any BTEC qualifications of any size in the following subjects from any series: Fish Management; Equine Management; Agriculture and Countryside Management; Horticulture; Blacksmithing and Metalworking.

We do not accept the following RQF award BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas as standalone qualifications for any of our courses but may accept them in combination with other academic qualifications:

  • Animal Management (RQF) (except for D313 BSc Veterinary Nursing and Companion Animal Behaviour)
  • Extended Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture
  • Marketing
  • Music & Extended Diploma in Music (Production)
  • Performing Arts Practice; Production Arts Practice
  • Sport and Outdoor Activities
  • Sport, Fitness and Personal Training
  • Sporting Excellence and Performance
  • Sports Coaching and Development
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Uniformed Protective Services

Subject-specific requirements

Some of our courses have specific criteria that must be met in a particular academic subject to ensure students thrive on the course. Where this can be met with modules in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma these will be listed in the prospectus or detailed in the lists below.

For some courses we require an additional A-level or offer an additional admissions test as an alternative way to meet a subject requirement. This will be detailed on the prospectus course page.

Currently, the only BTEC subjects with sufficient content to be considered essay-based for admissions purposes are Applied Law and Children’s Play, Learning and Development.

For some of our undergraduate courses, we have subject-specific requirements that must be met with particular units in the Applied Science or Engineering BTEC. When applying for a course with a specific subject requirement, you will need to upload information to your application dashboard detailing which units you will be taking upon submitting your UCAS application.

The units we require are listed as follows:

Biology

To meet our biology requirement with an Applied Science BTEC, applicants need to take the following mandatory units:

  • 1. Principles and Applications of Science I
  • 5. Principles and Applications of Science II

Plus any three of the following optional units:

  • 8. Physiology of Human Body Systems
  • 9. Human Regulation and Reproduction
  • 10. Biological Molecules and Metabolic Pathways
  • 11. Genetics and Genetic Engineering
  • 12. Diseases and Infections 
  • 17. Microbiology and Microbiological Techniques

Chemistry

To meet our chemistry requirement with an Applied Science BTEC, applicants need to take the following mandatory units:

  • 1. Principles and Applications of Science I
  • 5. Principles and Applications of Science II

plus any three of the following optional units:

  • 13. Applications of Inorganic Chemistry
  • 14. Applications of Organic Chemistry
  • 18. Industrial Chemical Reactions 
  • 19. Practical Chemical Analysis 
  • 22. Materials Science

Physics

To meet our physics requirement with an Engineering BTEC, applicants need to take the following mandatory units:

Unit 7: Calculus to Solve Engineering Problems
Unit 8: Further Engineering Mathematics
Unit 20: Analogue Electronic Circuits
Unit 27: Static Mechanical Principles in Practice
Unit 28: Dynamic Mechanical Principles in Practice
Unit 31: Thermodynamic Principles and Practice

Students must also take one of the following units:

Unit 25: Mechanical Behaviour of Metallic Materials or
Unit 26: Mechanical Behaviour of Non-metallic Materials

Engineering Science

To meet our Engineering Science requirement (where the typical A-level offer specifies any one of Physics, Chemistry, Further Mathematics, or Computer Science) with an Engineering BTEC, applicants need to take the following mandatory units:

  • 1. Engineering Principles
  • 6. Microcontroller Systems for Engineers

plus any two of the following optional units:

  • 12: Pneumatic and Hydraulic Systems
  • 15: Electrical Machines
  • 16: Three Phase Electrical Systems
  • 17: Power and Energy Electronics
  • 18: Electrical Power Distribution and Transmission
  • 19. Electronic Devices and Circuits
  • 20. Analogue Electronic Circuits
  • 21. Electronic Measurement and Testing of Circuits
  • 27. Static Mechanical Principles in Practice
  • 28. Dynamic Mechanical Principles in Practice
  • 29. Principles and Applications of Fluid Mechanics
  • 30. Mechanical Measurement and Inspection Technology
  • 31. Thermodynamic Principles and Practice
  • 32. Computer System Principles and Practice
  • 37. Computer Networks
  • 38. Website Production to Control Devices