BTEC Courses

BTECs are vocational qualifications providing a more practical, real-world approach to learning and skills development but still underpinned by traditional teaching. BTEC qualifications can open doors directly in your chosen career path or you can develop further with a Higher National Diploma or University Degree.

Unlike A Levels and IGCSEs, BTEC Firsts and Nationals are assessed through ongoing coursework and graded assignments and there are no exams to take at the end. San Miguel International College of Further Education is required to “internally verify” at least 50% of all assignments to ensure that they are meeting the quality standards laid down by Edexcel (The Examining Board responsible for the qualifications). Edexcel will also “Externally Verify” a representative sample of your assignments so you can be sure that your qualification is subject to stringent quality standards. Assignments can be graded as pass, merit or distinction depending on how well you have met or exceeded the learning outcomes set down by your teacher. Your overall grade will be based on the cumulative grades you have achieved throughout your assignments.

BTEC First’s are at Level 2 on the Qualification grid which means they are equivalent to GCSE’s . BTEC Nationals are at Level 3 on the Qualifications grid which means they are equivalent to A levels. At San Miguel International College of Further Education you can choose to study a BTEC First Certificate (equivalent to 2 GCSE’s), a BTEC First Diploma (equivalent to 4 GCSE’s), a BTEC National Award (equivalent to 1 A level), a BTEC National Certificate (equivalent to 2 A levels)or a BTEC National Diploma (equivalent to 3 A levels).

BTEC Firsts: In Year 1, all students will study to achieve the BTEC First Certificate (180 guided learning hours) This requires a commitment of 4 hours study at College per week with additional homework and assignments to be completed in your own time. At the end of year 1 , you may choose to “cash in “ your qualification for a Certificate or go on to year 2 to achieve a BTEC First Diploma (360 guided learning hours) this requires a further 4 hours of study at the College per week with additional assignments.

BTEC Nationals: In Year 1, all students will study to achieve the BTEC National Award. This requires a commitment of 9 hours study at College per week in the evenings with additional homework and assignments to complete in your own time. At the end of year 1, you may choose to “cash in” your qualification for an award or go onto year 2 to achieve a Certificate or Diploma. The BTEC National Certificate is equivalent to 2 A levels. If you wish to go on to achieve the Certificate, you will be required to dedicate a further 9 hours to study in Year 2 together with homework and assignments. The BTEC National Diploma is equivalent to 3 A levels. The achievement of the full diploma will require 18 hours of study in Year 2 or 9 hours of study in Year 2 and 9 hours in Year 3.

Please see below a full list of BTEC courses available at San Miguel International College of Further Education.

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Business Studies

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Engineering

  • Btec First Certificate or Diploma in Performing Arts (Dance)

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Music

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Animal Care

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting)

  • BTEC First Certificate or Diploma in Sport

  • BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma in Business Studies

  • BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma in Children’s Care, Learning and Development

  • BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma in Engineering

  • BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma in Performing arts (Acting)

  • BTEC National Award, Certificate or Diploma in Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness)


BTEC in Business
Business is changing; the ways of going about business are becoming more diverse. Today there are new paths to success in business as well as the well-trodden academic routes. The image of the businessman or woman is also transforming – today’s new entrepreneur may not have been out of school for many months, indeed, may not even have left. Businesses are having to adapt to these pressures and recruit ever more carefully. However, students who can already demonstrate aptitude and talent are at an advantage. Our Business BTECs with their vocational element can give learners a valuable head start.

“A BTEC in Business could inspire you to become: Accountants, Bankers, Human Resources Managers, Managers, Marketers, Recruitment Consultants or Retailers.”

BTEC in Children’s Care, Learning and Development
Working with children doesn’t suit everybody – but for many, it’s a job they really love. It can be enormously satisfying as you not only watch but also actively contribute to the development of children, day – by – day and month – by – month. It’s certainly a job with very few dull moments. And it’s also an important career, helping to shape the lives of future generations.

Children’s Care is a fast growing sector with a rising demand for staff at all levels. Qualifications are paramount - increasingly so for early years teachers. The Department for Education and Skills Children’s Workforce Strategy outlines a vision for a single qualifications framework and a common core of skills and knowledge within early years and highlights the importance of suitably qualified early years teachers to supervise day care settings.

Opportunities in children’s care are widespread offering career opportunities across private, voluntary, local authority and foster care sectors, with a high percentage opting to work with children of pre-school age.

A BTEC in Children’s Care not only gives students the opportunity to see if it’s the profession that’s right for them. Importantly, it gives them a practical and recognised qualification at the start of their careers.

“A BTEC in Children’s Care could inspire you to become: Childminders, Nannies, Nursery Assistants, Nursery Nurses or Play Workers.”

BTEC in Engineering
Engineering is a well respected profession. It is well paid, and with skills in Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics (STEM) in short supply, there are plenty of choice of jobs on offer. Many will involve international travel, high level business negotiations, and call for leadership skills in those that take them on.

BTEC engineering students will learn to harness their creativity and to design new products and services. They’ll gain experience and confidence in making decisions. They will learn to work in teams as well as on their own. All these are very transferable skills. Employers often say that what they want are articulate recruits, with good self awareness, good thinking skills, flexible minds and the ability to make good decisions. The BTEC in Engineering gives all of these.

“A BTEC in Engineering could inspire you to become: Technicians, Mechanical Engineers, Civil Engineers, or Heating Engineers.”

BTEC in Animal Care
Lantra, the Sector Skills Council for the Environment and Land-based Sector, said in their “What lies ahead?” document – “Growing public concern over animal welfare and environmental matters will need to be matched by an increased ability to show mastery of these issues within the environmental and land-based industries themselves”. Closing the reported skills gaps and shortages is key to the Sector Skills Council’s vision.

BTECs in Animal Care are well established qualifications in the animal care sector and are part of the key provision that will help to ensure technical capability of those who work with animals and in the land-based sector is maintained.

“A BTEC in Animal Care could inspire you to become: Farmers, Fisherman, Horse Managers, Kennel workers, RSPCA Inspectors or Dog Groomers.”

BTEC in Performing Arts
More young people than ever are attracted to becoming actors, dancers, pop stars, promotors, managers and technicians. A BTEC in Performing Arts will give them the chance to show what they can do – and it could be the start of something big.

The Performing Arts contribute over £4 billion to the UK economy, and employ about 84,00 people, so it’s a serious business. But it’s a tough one. It is rare to succeed in the performing arts based on creative talent alone. Determination and ability to cope with rejection are key to surviving in the industry. Motivation is paramount. Experience, either paid or unpaid, and useful contacts are essential. Those with experience of helping in school or college productions, local workshops, events and festival may be at an advantage. And it’s here where a Performing Arts BTEC can really come into its own.

“A BTEC in Performing Arts could inspire you to become: Actors, Lighting Technicians, Musicians, Scenery Assistants, Sound Technicians, Stage Designers or Stage Managers.”

BTEC in Sport
Year on year, the sport sector outperforms the rest of the UK economy. It’s been this way since the late 1990s and the trend is predicted to continue for years to come, long after the 2012 Olympics. The annual contribution of the sport sector to the UK economy is over £8 billion. This sector has more than 36,000 employers creating work for more than 600,000 full-time and part-time employees, and 5 million plus volunteers. However, a third of the workforce in the sector have either no formal qualifications or are only qualified to Level 1. And feedback from employers suggests that skills shortages are responsible for a large proportion of the vacancies in this sector. These factors highlight the importance of formally recognised qualifications, such as the BTECs in Sport.

“A BTEC in Sport could inspire you to become: Gym Instructors, Sports Coaches or Sports Managers.”

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