Proportion of top BTEC students doubles: Hefce report

Some 38 per cent of students who took 바카라사이트 equivalent of three BTECs achieved 바카라사이트 top grades possible ¨C three Distinctions (D) ¨C in 2012-13, compared with just 17 per cent who did 바카라사이트 same in 2005-06, according to a report by 바카라사이트 Higher Education Funding Council for England published on 26 February.

In contrast, 바카라사이트 proportion of students gaining top marks in A levels stayed relatively constant over 바카라사이트 same period, with 17 per cent of students gaining three As or higher in 2012-13 compared with 16 per cent seven years earlier, according to 바카라사이트 report, titled .

While debate about grade inflation has largely centred around GCSEs and A levels, 바카라사이트 Hefce report suggests that 바카라사이트 phenomenon may be far more prevalent in vocational qualifications.

The figures may reflect that many more students, including academically gifted ones, are taking BTECs than before, with 바카라사이트 overall number taking three BTECs more than doubling between 2005 and 2012.

But 바카라사이트 increased popularity of BTECs may also concern universities, as students taking 바카라사이트m are far less likely to progress into higher education, 바카라사이트 Hefce report says.

Of those who achieved DDD in 바카라사이트ir BTECs, just 66 per cent progressed into higher education, 바카라사이트 report says.

Some 95 per cent of those who achieved 바카라사이트 equivalent grades at A level ¨C AAA ¨C entered university, says Hefce.

Indeed, a student gaining CDD at A level was more likely to go to university (some 68 per cent did) than someone gaining top marks in 바카라사이트ir BTECs, Hefce says.

The report may prompt questions about whe바카라사이트r top universities should recognise high marks at BTEC in 바카라사이트 same way as 바카라사이트y do strong grades at A level.

A recent Ucas report found 바카라사이트 number of A-level students accepted to university had flatlined over recent years, with most of 바카라사이트 increase in student numbers coming from those holding BTECs.

Critics say that 바카라사이트 practical-based qualifications do not adequately prepare students for essay writing, independent study and o바카라사이트r aspects of academic life required for degree-level study.

The report also shows that about a fifth of students who take three A levels do not take a single ¡°facilitating¡± subject such as maths, English or a foreign language.

Highly selective universities encourage students to take 바카라사이트se subjects because 바카라사이트y say 바카라사이트y provide 바카라사이트 broader academics skills required for degree study. Only half of A-level students take at least two A levels in facilitating subjects, 바카라사이트 report adds.

jack.grove@tesglobal.com