BTEC short courses

The following set of frequently asked questions give information about the BTEC short course qualification.

BTEC short courses FAQs

Question:What is a BTEC Short Course?
Answer:As you’d imagine, a BTEC Short Course is designed to give you the skills and knowledge in a particular area. BTEC Short Courses are available across all levels, so whether you’re taking your first steps on the BTEC ladder or looking to enhance your management profile, a BTEC Short Course may be just the thing. Centres offering these programmes can either take an off-the-shelf qualification or can devise one of their own.
    
Question:How many units are there?
Answer:The number of units depends on the structure of the qualification – some units are longer than others. Some qualifications are sometimes only one unit long. Other qualifications contain many units.
   
Question:How long does it take to do one?
Answer:BTEC Short Courses are probably the most flexible qualifications that we offer. BTEC Awards are between 30 and 100 hours long, BTEC Certificates are between 120 and 200 hours long and BTEC Diplomas are between 220 and 300 hours long. In fact, at the advanced levels, BTEC Diplomas don’t have an upper limit.
  
Question:Can I study part time?
Answer:BTEC Short Courses are very flexible. The most popular ways of studying are part time and full time, but some people study in the evening, at weekends, or even as part of their personal development at work.
  
Question:Where can I study for a BTEC Short Course?
Answer:You can study for a BTEC Short Course wherever there is an approved centre. We approve both colleges and employers to offer these courses, so check with your local regional office to see where your nearest centres are.
  
Question:What can I do after I finish a BTEC Short Course?
Answer:There are many routes available to you. For example, if you have studied for a Level 2 BTEC Award, you can finish studying and use the skills that you have learned; or, you could broaden your knowledge by doing a Certificate at the same level; or you may decide to study for an Award at Level 3.
  
Question:Who normally takes a BTEC Short Course?
Answer:Anyone can take a BTEC Short Course to develop their skills and knowledge in a particular area. Most people who take them are already working and want to gain new skills.
  
Question:What subjects are available?
Answer:There are an endless number of BTEC Short Courses – the most popular ones tend to be in the Management, IT and Travel & Tourism areas.
  
Question:Will a BTEC Short Course get me a better job?
Answer:It is likely that you would take a BTEC Short Course in order to gain new skills for the workplace. So, people with this qualification may find that they have a wider range of skills and ability than those without.