Meet Yvan Zahui. His BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science motivated him to motivate others. Now he works as a Personal Trainer, inspiring both beginners and elite athletes alike.
Yvan always loved sport and staying fit, so he turned his passion into a BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science. Then he turned that BTEC into a career as a personal trainer to both beginners and elite athletes.
Matching the right BTEC to your career ambition
Yvan knew he wanted to become a Personal Trainer, so he opted for a BTEC in Sport and Science Exercise.
“My ambitions for the future would be to open up a performance centre where you’d have different disciplines of sport science and where athletes can come and train.
It was the perfect course for me because it directly related to what I wanted to do at uni and what I wanted to do in the future.”
A BTEC can help you build skills, knowledge and career confidence in what you really want to do.
“One thing I’ve learned most from my BTEC is that it was like a training course for the career I’m in now.
It’s more practical in the way you learn, so you can bring those skills straight into employment.
I’ve definitely become more confident since taking a BTEC because I feel like I’m more practical in the way I do things. It allowed me to be an independent learner.
If you want a course focusing on the skills and knowledge you’d need for your career, I’d definitely recommend a BTEC.”
What do you learn in a Sports BTEC?
Take a look at the chart below. We’ll explain more about the different BTEC Awards and Diplomas you can do to match your interests and where you’re at in life in the next section.
Click on the image to view it in full size
List of BTEC in Sport qualifications
So… what BTEC qualifications in sport can you actually do? Check this list to see which BTEC is the best fit for you.
BTEC First Award in Sport Level 1/2
- For learners aged 14 years and over
- Level 1/Level 2 qualification
- 120-guided-learning-hour qualification (equivalent in teaching time to one GCSE)
- 25 per cent of the qualification is externally assessed
- presents knowledge in a work-related context
- gives learners the opportunity to develop and apply skills in English and mathematics in naturally occurring, relevant contexts
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport
- Equivalent to an A-level
- 67% of the qualification is externally assessed
- Designed to support progression to higher education when taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.
BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma in Sport
- Equivalent to 1.5 A-levels
- 44% of the qualification is externally assessed
- One-year, full-time course covering the underpinning knowledge for the sport sector
- Supporting progression to an apprenticeship in the sport sector or to a further year of study at Level 3
- Supports progression to higher education if taken as part of a programme of study that includes other BTEC Nationals or A/AS Levels.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Sport
- Equivalent to 2 A-levels
- 45% of the qualification is externally assessed
- designed as part of a two-year programme, normally in conjunction with one or more qualifications at Level 3.
- Aimed at learners looking to progress to higher education in their sports career.
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport
- Equivalent to 3 A-levels
- 42% of the qualification is externally assessed
- A two-year, full-time course that meets entry requirements in its own right for learners who want to progress to higher education courses in sport before entering employment.
BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Fitness Services
- Equivalent to 2 A-levels
- 33% of the qualification is externally assessed
- designed as part of a two-year programme, normally in conjunction with one or more qualifications at Level 3.
- Aimed at learners looking to progress to employment in this sector.
- Mapped to industry standards for the fitness industry.
- Designed for entry to roles such as gym instructor or fitness instructor
- Appropriate for progression to Level 3 Personal Trainer qualifications or degree programmes.
BTEC Level 1/Level 2 Tech Award in Sport, Activity and Fitness
- For learners who want to acquire theoretical knowledge and technical skills through vocational (real-life) contexts by exploring areas like body systems, psychology, nutrition, technology and leadership.
- The qualification recognises the value of developing skills, knowledge and vocational attributes to complement GCSEs.
- The qualification will broaden learners’ experience and understanding of the varied progression options available to them.
- On achieving Level 1: Learners can study at Level 2 post-16 in a range of technical routes designed to lead to work, to employment, to an Apprenticeship, or to further study at Level 3. On achieving Level 1, learners can also study sport post-16 through the study of a Technical Certificate, for example a Pearson BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma for Sport and Activity Leaders. Learners who perform strongly in this qualification compared to their overall performance should strongly consider this progression route as, ultimately, it can lead to employment in the sport sector.
- On achieving Level 2 at Key Stage 4: Learners are in a position to study for A-levels or Level 3 vocational qualifications like a BTEC National in Sport, which prepares learners to enter employment or an Apprenticeship, or to move to higher education by studying a degree in the sport or sport and exercise areas.
BTEC Level 2 Technical Diploma in Sport and Activity Leaders
- For post-16 learners who want to specialise in a vocational qualification for a career related to sport
- Can feature as part of Apprenticeship training, off-the-job training for those in work, or part of a full-time 16–19 study programme, alongside mathematics and English GCSEs and/or Functional Skills, work placement and enrichment activities
- Achievement prepares learners for work, Level 3 qualifications or employment
Sports BTECs and University
You don’t have to choose between BTECs and University. You can do both. BTEC Nationals attract UCAS points which can help you do a university course if you choose to. Visit the UCAS website to find out more.
Want to know why you should study a BTEC? Or which one to choose? Or what happens next after you’ve completed your BTEC studies? Click below!
