Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) BTEC National Certificates - 180 GLH

Oct 20, 2026

Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) BTEC National certificates for Applied Science, Computing, Health and Social Care, and Information Technology provide a 180 GLH learning programme (with corresponding TQT). Each certificate is structured around a defined set of mandatory and optional units, with all units assessed externally where stated or with a mix of external and internal assessment. All certificates are equivalent in size to one AS level (half an A level) and are available for first teaching from September 2026.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages9

Reading Time23 min

AccessFree to download

Sector and Qualifications Overview

Applied Science Certificate

Computing Certificate

Health and Social Care Certificate

Information Technology Certificate

Level 3 BTEC Nationals (AAQ) Certificate (180 GLH) Applied Science Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) SECTOR AND QUALIFICATIONS OVERVIEW Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Applied Science (Certificate) Size and structure 180 GLH (240 TQT) Equivalent in size to one AS level (half an A level) . 3 mandatory units, of which 3 are externally assessed. • Mandatory content (100%) • External assessment (100%) Available for first teach from September 2026. The Certificate contains a subset of units which are shared with the Extended Certificate. | Unit | Title | GLH | Type | Assessment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mandatory units – students complete and achieve all units | | | | | | 1 | Principles and Applications of Biology | 60 | Mandatory | External | | 2 | Principles and Applications of Chemistry | 60 | Mandatory | External | | 3 | Principles and Applications of Physics | 60 | Mandatory | External | Computing Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) SECTOR AND QUALIFICATIONS OVERVIEW Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Computing (Certificate) Size and structure 180 GLH (227 TQT) Equivalent in size to one AS level (half an A level) . 2 units, of which one is mandatory and externally assessed. 2 optional units, of which one must be selected. • Mandatory content (66%) • External assessment (66%) Available for first teach from September 2026. The Certificate contains a subset of units which are shared with the Extended Certificate. | Unit | Title | GLH | Type | Assessment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mandatory units – students complete and achieve all units | | | | | | 1 | Programming Fundamentals | 120 | Mandatory | External | | Optional units – students complete and achieve one unit | | | | | | 3 | Human Computer Interaction | 60 | Optional | Internal | | 4 | Practical Programming | 60 | Optional | Internal | Health and Social Care Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) SECTOR AND QUALIFICATIONS OVERVIEW Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Health and Social Care (Certificate) Size and structure 180 GLH (240 TQT) Equivalent in size to one AS level (half an A level) . 2 mandatory units, one of which is externally assessed. • Mandatory content (100%) • External assessment (50%) Available for first teach from September 2026. The Certificate contains a subset of units which are shared with the Extended Certificate. | Unit | Title | GLH | Type | Assessment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mandatory units – students complete and achieve all units | | | | | | 1 | Human Lifespan and Development | 90 | Mandatory | External | | 3 | Principles of Health and Social Care Practice | 90 | Mandatory | Internal | Information Technology Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ) SECTOR AND QUALIFICATIONS OVERVIEW Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Information Technology (Certificate) Size and structure 180 GLH (238 TQT) Equivalent in size to one AS level (half an A level) . 2 units, of which both are mandatory and one is externally assessed. • Mandatory content (100%) • External assessment (66%) Available for first teach from September 2026. The Certificate contains a subset of units which are shared with the Extended Certificate. | Unit | Title | GLH | Type | Assessment | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Mandatory units – students complete and achieve all units | | | | | | 1 | InformationTechnology Systems | 120 | Mandatory | External | | 3 | Website Development | 60 | Mandatory | Internal |

FAQs

What does 180 GLH mean in these BTEC National certificates?

It indicates the total Guided Learning Hours for each Pearson Level 3 AAQ BTEC National certificate in the provided sector overviews.

How are the units structured across the certificates?

Applied Science has 3 mandatory externally assessed units; Computing has 1 mandatory externally assessed unit plus 1 optional unit; Health and Social Care has 2 mandatory units with one externally assessed; Information Technology has 2 mandatory units with one externally assessed.

When are these certificates first available for teaching?

They are available for first teaching from September 2026.

Oct 20, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery