BTEC
The course begins with an exciting introduction into everyone’s favourite aspect of science, practicals!
We’ll introduce you to laboratory equipment and techniques, you’ll be doing lots of experimenting and researching while developing your skills as a scientist.
By doing loads of problem solving and analysis and get a sense of what it’s like to be a trainee laboratory technician in fields such as biochemistry, forensic science and environmental science.
You’ll follow written scientific procedures making sure that all your equipment is calibrated correctly and that all research is conducted in a safe manner.
What follows will be an exciting and inspiring introduction to the sciences of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. After studying Science at GCSE you’ll recognise and be familiar with many of the core concepts. Gaining this solid grounding in Biology, Chemistry and Physics will give you a great appreciation of the different fields of science – and where you might be headed in your career.
We’ll learn about cells and tissues, atomic structure and bonding, substances’ chemical and physical properties, and how waves have changed our world.
The Year One external assessment will demonstrate your science knowledge and project management skills. In this test you’ll work as a research scientist, conducting an investigation before analysing the results and drawing conclusions.
Choose the Diploma or Extended Diploma and you’ll:
Science facilities at Xaverian are excellent. But you’ll work way beyond the realms of your classroom.
There will be trips to a number of different types of laboratories to show how scientists work in a range of environments.
You’ll visit a University of Manchester laboratory where DNA is analysed using genetic engineering techniques.
Second year students spend a day at a local blood transfusion centre learning about lab safety and information management.
And if you’re studying towards the Extended Diploma, you’ll also enjoy a week’s work placement in a lab or medical practice putting into practice what you’ve learned, in a real-life scientific environment.
A-levels are assessed mainly through exams at the end of your second year at Xaverian. BTECs are assessed throughout your course through coursework, projects and externally marked tests.
Consider a BTEC qualification if you prefer to show your progress through regular practical work rather than exams.
If you’re considering higher education…
We’ll first talk you through the BTEC Applied Science course options and the units you’ll study.
One of the units focuses on disease and infection. On today’s lesson we’ll conduct biochemical tests that form part of this unit, analysing urine samples for different medical conditions.
Urine analysis can identify a wide range of medical conditions, including kidney infection and diabetes.
Watch as Xaverian students take you through this research and deliver their findings.
Thanks to the breadth of knowledge you’ll acquire on this course, a wide range of science-based careers will be available to you following further study.
You might wish to work in the commercial sector – with chemical, pharmaceutical, materials, aerospace and automotive organisations.
Or if you’re looking to enter healthcare, compatible roles include:
Set your heart on life as a lab technician? Maybe you want to earn as you learn, a degree apprenticeship in Laboratory Science might be the right choice for you.
Or you may wish to specialise at degree level in other directions, after your BTEC Applied Science course piques interest in areas such as:
You will complete 4 units of study: 3 mandatory, 1 optional
You will complete all the above units – plus extra units over the two year period.
Six passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above
Grade 5 from Mathematics and Science recommended
Grade 4 in English
2 years
Coursework and exams
BTEC Advanced
Edexcel
The work involves a degree of taught input from the teacher. Guidance and practice for examined component will be given for unit 1. The bulk of the work is based on the student working independently to complete a number of tasks in each unit.
This will involve tasks such as independent research, presentation of information, practical write-ups and data analysis. There is a heavy practical bias and students will be exposed to a wide range of experimental techniques and equipment. IT will be used extensively during the course.
