Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Art and Design Specification - Issue 6 - Educational support and curriculum overview

Oct 20, 2026

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Art and Design Specification, Issue 6, outlines the learner-centred rationale and structure of the BTEC Nationals qualification. It explains the purpose of unit-based, project-focused assessments, and how learning supports progression to employment and higher education. The document describes how content is developed collaboratively with employers and education providers, and clarifies the balance between locally set and Pearson-set assessments, including support for learners and teachers during course delivery.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages126

Reading Time5 h 18 min

AccessFree to download

Welcome

Why are BTECs so successful?

Collaborative development

A word to learners

Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Art and Design Specification First teaching from January 2017 First certification from 2018 Issue 6 Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate in Art and Design Specification First teaching September 2017 Issue 6 Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications Edexcel, BTEC and LCCI qualifications are awarded by Pearson, the UK’s largest awarding body offering academic and vocational qualifications that are globally recognised and benchmarked. For further information, please visit our qualifications website at [qualifications.pearson.com](qualifications.pearson.com). Alternatively, you can get in touch with us using the details on our contact us page at [qualifications.pearson.com/contactus](qualifications.pearson.com/contactus) About Pearson Pearson is the world's leading learning company, with 25,000 employees in more than 70 countries working to help people of all ages to make measurable progress in their lives through learning. We put the learner at the centre of everything we do, because wherever learning flourishes, so do people. Find out more about how we can help you and your learners at [qualifications.pearson.com](qualifications.pearson.com) [This specification is Issue 6. We will inform centres of any changes to this issue. The latest issue](This specification is Issue 6. We will inform centres of any changes to this issue. The latest issue)[ ](This specification is Issue 6. We will inform centres of any changes to this issue. The latest issue)[can be found on our website.](can be found on our website.) References to third-party material made in this specification are made in good faith. We do not endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Material may include textbooks, journals, magazinesand other publications and websites.) ISBN 978 1 446 95065 4 All the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Limited 2021 Welcome With a track record built over 30 years of learner success, BTEC Nationals are widely recognised by industry and higher education as the signature vocational qualification at Level 3. They provide progression to the workplace either directly or via study at a higher level. Proof comes from YouGov research, which shows that 62% of large companies have recruited employees with BTEC qualifications. What’s more, well over 100,000 BTEC students apply to UK universities every year and their BTEC Nationals are accepted by over 150 UK universities and higher education institutes for relevant degree programmes either on their own or in combination with A Levels. Why are BTECs so successful? BTECs embody a fundamentally learner-centred approach to the curriculum, with a flexible, unit-based structure and knowledge applied in project-based assessments. They focus on the holistic development of the practical, interpersonal and thinking skills required to be able to succeed in employment and higher education . When creating the BTEC Nationals in this suite, we worked with many employers, higher education providers, colleges and schools to ensure that their needs are met. Employers are looking for recruits with a thorough grounding in the latest industry requirements and work-ready skills such as teamwork. Higher education needs students who have experience of research, extended writing and meeting deadlines. We have addressed these requirements with: • a range of BTEC sizes, each with a clear purpose, so there is something to suit each learner’s choice of study programme and progression plans • refreshed content that is closely aligned with employers’ and higher education needs for askilled future workforce • assessments and projects chosen to help learners progress to the next stage . This means some are set by you to meet local needs, while others are set and marked by Pearson so that there is a core of skills and

FAQs

What is the learner-centred approach described for BTEC Nationals in this specification?

It uses a flexible, unit-based curriculum with knowledge applied in project-based assessments, focusing on practical, interpersonal, and thinking skills for success in employment and higher education.

How are assessments and projects intended to support learner progression?

Some assessments are set to meet local needs, while others are set and marked by Pearson to provide a shared core of skills and understanding across learners.

Who is involved in the collaborative development of the Art and Design qualifications?

The specification states it was developed in close collaboration with employers, higher education providers, colleges, schools, professional bodies, and universities, with experts who shared time and expertise.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Olivia Brown