BTEC or A-levels
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: At work
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Having lots of money is perhaps more important, and common sense, sometimes seems to be lacking in crews, despite being educated well....
As for which line of study you take I shouldn't think it matters too much, as long as you show an ability to learn, an aeronautic course is obviously more tailored to your chosen career so may be more sensible, what any one else think??
As for which line of study you take I shouldn't think it matters too much, as long as you show an ability to learn, an aeronautic course is obviously more tailored to your chosen career so may be more sensible, what any one else think??
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Frankfurt, Germany
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I cannot comment from the Aeronautical Engineering point of view because I don't know the courses, but due to the lack of other replies I will add my two (Euro) cents worth and try not to sound too much like an old git in the process. 
From what you have said, I would guess that you are still at school. Apologies if that is not the case and you are a mature student. Be wary of specialising too much at this stage in your life. It may turn out later on that you no longer want to be a pilot, however unlikely it may seem at the moment. (I shudder when I think of some of the careers I considered while still at school!) Having said that, an Engineering course will set you up well for a career in many branches of Engineering, not just Aeronautics.
I used to lecture in Electronic Engineering and Physics at various levels including Access , HND, Undergraduate and Masters Degree students. I found that those students who had followed the BTEC route prior to undergraduate courses often left with better degrees than those who had followed the A level route. Their knowledge of the subject areas was also in many cases better developed.
If you would rather not specialise quite so highly at this stage then you can always do A levels, followed by a Higher National Diploma (HND). If you then decide to do a degree afterwards many universities will allow you direct entry to the second year of the degree course. However, as the HND is two years to start off with, this will take you a year longer. Also, expect the two year HND to be much harder than the first year of the degree.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to your question. There are pros and cons with both. However Sliding Member makes a very good point. Whatever you do show an ability to learn, and make sure you enjoy doing it. Doing a course you don't enjoy is a recipe for disaster.
I wish you the very best of luck with whatever path you choose to follow.
From what you have said, I would guess that you are still at school. Apologies if that is not the case and you are a mature student. Be wary of specialising too much at this stage in your life. It may turn out later on that you no longer want to be a pilot, however unlikely it may seem at the moment. (I shudder when I think of some of the careers I considered while still at school!) Having said that, an Engineering course will set you up well for a career in many branches of Engineering, not just Aeronautics.
I used to lecture in Electronic Engineering and Physics at various levels including Access , HND, Undergraduate and Masters Degree students. I found that those students who had followed the BTEC route prior to undergraduate courses often left with better degrees than those who had followed the A level route. Their knowledge of the subject areas was also in many cases better developed.
If you would rather not specialise quite so highly at this stage then you can always do A levels, followed by a Higher National Diploma (HND). If you then decide to do a degree afterwards many universities will allow you direct entry to the second year of the degree course. However, as the HND is two years to start off with, this will take you a year longer. Also, expect the two year HND to be much harder than the first year of the degree.
Unfortunately, there is no definitive answer to your question. There are pros and cons with both. However Sliding Member makes a very good point. Whatever you do show an ability to learn, and make sure you enjoy doing it. Doing a course you don't enjoy is a recipe for disaster.
I wish you the very best of luck with whatever path you choose to follow.
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: London
Age: 45
Posts: 358
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Toughy this one.
If you want to apply for sponsorships, when they start again, I think you will need the A Levels as 2 A levels at grade C and above seem to be the normal minimum criteria.
Ironically the B-TEC that you want to study would probably help you more with the ATPL exams as it is a related course.
I can't really offer anymore help, I guess it is a difficult decision that you have to make. Personally I would opt for the A Levels, they seem to carry more weight out there in the big wide world, why? I honestly don't know.
Sagey
If you want to apply for sponsorships, when they start again, I think you will need the A Levels as 2 A levels at grade C and above seem to be the normal minimum criteria.
Ironically the B-TEC that you want to study would probably help you more with the ATPL exams as it is a related course.
I can't really offer anymore help, I guess it is a difficult decision that you have to make. Personally I would opt for the A Levels, they seem to carry more weight out there in the big wide world, why? I honestly don't know.
Sagey
