Pearson BTEC Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs)
The level 3 qualification landscape underwent major reform under the previous Conservative government with three routes available:- Academic qualifications: Support progression to further/higher education (e.g. A Levels and BTEC's)
- New Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs) replacing many BTEC Nationals and OCR Technicals. These are available as 180 GLH Certificates (AS Level size) and/or 360 GLH Extended Certificates (A Level size).
- Technical Qualifications: Support progression to skilled employment/further technical training (e.g. T Levels and occupational entry level qualificaitons)
The current Labour government, further to their education review, have indicated that they will be initiating new Level 3 qualifications called V Levels. Some will be major updates and restructuring of existing level 3 vocational qualifications, some may be a re-branding of AAQs. We await the publications of the new specifications to find out.
The following certificates / extended certificates became available for first teaching in September 2025:
| Qualification title: | Specifications: | Join the discussion: | Resources available: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National Ext. Certificate in Medical Science | View specification | ||
| Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National Cert. / Ext. Cert. in Applied Science | View specification | Facebook Group | Preview and buy now |
| Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National Ext. Certificate in Early Childhood Development | View specification | Preview and buy now | |
| Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National Cert. / Ext. Cert. in Computing | View specification | Facebook Group | Preview and buy now |
| Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National Cert. / Ext. Cert. in Health and Social Care | View specification | Facebook Group | Preview and buy now |
| Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National Cert. / Ext. Cert. in Information Technology (AAQ) | View specification | Facebook Group | Preview and buy now |
NB this is not a complete list of Pearson AAQs; please refer to the exam board for further information. Also available are Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) from OCR.
To actively engage in discussions, collaborations, or reviews related to this qualification, join our new Facebook group or sign up on PublishMeNow. This way, you can actively participate in the development of resources for the new BTEC AAQs.
Sign-up now at PublishMeNow.co.uk