Australia is the latest country to sign up for Edexcel's BTEC Higher National Diplomas - making them the 89th country to offer the internationally recognised qualification.
Edexcel is working with TAFE (Technical and Further Education) colleges in Western Australia in a new venture to provide students with opportunities to study Business, IT, and a range of other subjects at BTEC HND level, to both international and domestic students.
The qualification is being launched in Australia in 2006 and, once completed, students can progress straight to the second or the third year of a Bachelor's degree - as they can in the UK.
To make the BTEC HND even more attractive, Edexcel has been successful in developing an agreement with Education and Training International (ETI) in Western Australia for the joint badging of Associate Degrees and the BTEC HND.
This ‘dual award’ arrangement will be of interest to both international students as well as local students wishing to work or study further in the UK or Australia. At the moment, there are a number of Associate Degrees undergoing accreditation in Western Australia and it is hoped that these will be available in 2006.
ETI is the international arm of the Department of Education and Training in Western Australia and is responsible for onshore and offshore activity in the State's government funded schools, senior colleges and TAFE colleges.
Rick Firth, Edexcel BTEC Director, said: “Many Australian students travel to the UK for work, and those with a BTEC qualification will find their job prospects enhanced. As well as being an internationally recognised qualification, the HND will allow them to continue their studies in the UK, stepping onto full degree programmes here in the UK and Europe if they wish.”
Edexcel will be training TAFE teachers and tutors through a series of INSET training meetings and providing teaching content and student materials for delivery for TAFE teachers. BTEC qualifications have strict quality assurance procedures and will be subject to external assessment.
Over half a million students study for BTEC qualifications annually. Taken at schools and colleges, BTECs offer a full progression ladder from the age of 14 with the BTEC Firsts and Nationals, through to the Higher Nationals and BTEC Foundation Degrees.
To find out more about the opportunities available to you from Edexcel, go to www.edexcelstudents.org.uk.
