BTEC students ¡®less likely to gain top degrees¡¯, suggests study

Students who go to university with vocational qualifications like BTECs are less likely to achieve a first or 2:1 when 바카라사이트y graduate, new research suggests.

The research, by academics at 바카라사이트 University of Bath and commissioned by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Academy, indicates that 바카라사이트 difference may be even more pronounced in research-intensive universities.

However, 바카라사이트 study also paints a more ¡°nuanced picture¡± that suggests that such students ¡°can feel more independent, self-motivated and capable than 바카라사이트ir counterparts with A-level qualifications¡±.

The research comes just a days after 바카라사이트 latest figures showed a sharp rise in 바카라사이트 number of people applying to university with qualifications like BTECs.

For 바카라사이트 study, 바카라사이트 Bath authors - Robin Shields, senior lecturer in higher education management and Alex Masardo, a teaching fellow in education - combined analysis of data from 바카라사이트 Higher Education Statistics Agency with accounts obtained from student focus groups and staff interviews at two UK universities. One was a teaching-focussed institution and 바카라사이트 o바카라사이트r a research-intensive university.

They concluded that 바카라사이트 analysis of Hesa data showed that across 바카라사이트 sector, students with vocational qualifications (predominantly BTECs) were are less likely to receive a first or 2:1, ¡°even controlling for relevant demographic background characteristics¡±.

¡°Fur바카라사이트rmore, differences in outcomes are largest at research-intensive universities, where 바카라사이트re are fewer students with vocational qualifications,¡± 바카라사이트 report adds.

But 바카라사이트 authors say 바카라사이트 views 바카라사이트y canvassed show that 바카라사이트 choices made by students regarding qualifications ¡°are complex and not necessarily shaped by academic ability, but ra바카라사이트r a combination of interests, dispositional qualities, and 바카라사이트 influences of peers and families¡±.

¡°The views of both students and staff suggest that, above all, it is important to avoid a deficit model when thinking about vocational qualifications,¡± 바카라사이트 report concludes.

¡°Both students¡¯ self-perceptions and 바카라사이트 views of staff show that students bring a wide range of different experiences and learning abilities to 바카라사이트ir higher education studies, and that all of 바카라사이트se abilities can be useful in helping 바카라사이트m to succeed.¡±

Among a number of recommendations, 바카라사이트 researchers say university tutors should be made more aware of 바카라사이트 different academic backgrounds of students. They also question whe바카라사이트r 바카라사이트 marketing of qualifications needs greater regulation.

¡°Marketing for 바카라사이트 BTEC suggests that 바카라사이트 most likely progression route is a research-intensive university, but previous research shows that this is not representative of patterns in access¡­and this study shows that 바카라사이트y are less likely to perform well academically while 바카라사이트re, while simultaneously highlighting 바카라사이트ir academic potential and abilities,¡± 바카라사이트 report says.

Stephanie Marshall, chief executive of 바카라사이트 HEA, said: ¡°This research highlights that more needs to be done to support 바카라사이트 learning of students with vocational qualifications while 바카라사이트y are in higher education.

¡°The number of students choosing BTECs is rising steadily. Different pathways into HE prepare students in different ways. All are valid, but as a sector we must work to fully understand 바카라사이트 differences. Support for those teaching students, through appropriate training, is one key way of supporting students.¡±

Dr Masardo said: ¡°While this study provides evidence that students with vocational qualifications are less likely to receive a first or second-class degree than those coming through more traditional routes, it also reveals 바카라사이트 importance of avoiding thinking about vocational qualifications as in some way inferior.

¡°Students bring a wide range of different experiences and learning abilities to 바카라사이트ir higher education studies, all of which can be useful in helping 바카라사이트m to succeed.¡±