BTEC vs GCSE
The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) and the Business and Technology Education Council (BTEC) are both academic qualifications that are awarded in the United Kingdom. The main difference is that BTEC is awarded for vocational subjects, and the GCSE is awarded for a large number of other subjects.
The BTEC is usually taken after the GCSE. This means that the BTEC is taken after the school days.
The General Certificate of Secondary Education can be taken by students of 14 to 16 years of age. Any person, who is interested in any subject, can take this qualification. On the other hand, learners who are above 16 years of age can take the Business And Technology Education Council exam. Some schools also offer the BTEC to students in the age group between 14 and 16, along with the GCSE.
Let us now look at the GCSE. The General Certificate of Secondary Education is awarded for both academic subjects and applied subjects. The GCSE has to be studied full time, at the schools. Moreover, the GCSE is compulsory in schools. Short-term GCSE courses are also available.
When talking of the BTEC, it involves more course work than written exams, but the GCSE involves more written exams than practical work. Only some courses of the GCSE, like arts and designing, involve more course work.
The General Certificate of Secondary Education came into existence in 1986, and replaced the GCE-O level and the CSE qualifications. The Business And Technology Education Council was formed in 1984. It evolved from the Business Education Council and the Technician Education Council.
Summary:
1. The BTEC is awarded for vocational subjects, and the GCSE is awarded for a large number of both academic and applied subjects.
2. The GCSE can be studied by students of 14 to 16 years of age. On the other hand, learners who are above 16 years of age, can study with the BTEC. Some schools also offer the BTEC to students in the age group between 14 and 16, along with the GCSE.
3. The BTEC is generally taken after the school days.
4. The BTEC involves more course work than written exams.
5. The General Certificate of Secondary Education came into existence in 1986. The Business And Technology Education Council was formed in 1984.
6. The General Certificate of Secondary Education replaced the GCE-O level and the CSE qualifications. The Business and Technology Education Council evolved from the Business Education Council and the Technician Education Council.