For 2025-26, we continue to offer our highly successful BTEC Level 3 Diploma Business Studies and will offer the BTEC Level 3 AAQ in Applied Science. BTEC (Business and Technology Education Council) awards are work-related qualifications suitable for a wide range of students. They are designed to accommodate the needs of employers and allow progression to university.  

Our recent BTEC Business graduates have taken a variety of different pathways including Business Management at Edinburgh University; Law at Nottingham University; and Finance, Accounting & Management at Nottingham University; and Sports Management at Bath University.

Our recent BTEC Applied Science graduates have taken pathways in Midwifery, Nursing, Dental and Veterinary Nursing and a multitude of other science related courses.

BTEC - current provision

At Sacred Heart, students follow three or four A-Level courses in Year 12 and 13; or a BTEC Diploma course, Level 3 and one A-Level subject.  A BTEC Level 3 is equivalent to two A-Levels.  The minimum course entry requirements for 2025-26 are as follows:  

Business Pathway

OPTION A

BTEC Level 3 Diploma Business Studies +  1 A-Level subject (maximum 15 places).

Entry Requirements:

• At least 6 GCSEs; four qualifications must be at grade 5 or above; these qualifications must include English and Mathematics at grade 4 or above.   
• Specific entry requirements for particular A-Level subjects. 

OPTION B

BTEC Level 3 Diploma Business Studies and 1 A-Level subject, with Mathematics or English Language GCSE retake as applicable (up to a maximum of 5 places where Option A is under-subscribed). 

Entry Requirements

• At least 6 GCSEs at grade 4 or above; these qualifications must include either English or Mathematics. Candidates will retake whichever of the latter they had not achieved at grade 4 or above on entry. 
• Specific entry requirements for particular A-Level subjects. 

Applied Science

BTEC Level 3 AAQ in Applied Science plus 2 A Level subjects (maximum 15 places). 

Entry Requirements

• At least 6 GCSEs at grade 4 or above; these qualifications must include English Language and Mathematics, as well as either GCSE Combined Science grade ‘5,5’ or any two separate science GCSEs at grade 5. 
• Specific entry requirements for particular A-Level subjects.