London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Monday, Aug 04, 2025

BTec delays: 'If it was A-levels this would've been sorted quicker'

BTec delays: 'If it was A-levels this would've been sorted quicker'

For thousands of BTec students, this year's results day came and went without an outcome - after a delay in issuing grades. For about 2,000 of them, the delay is dragging on, according to exam board Pearson. From the endless refreshing of websites, to dismay at communication, and a scramble for accommodation, this is how two students were affected.

Holly Whitford-Hughes was still without results on Sunday morning meaning her dreams of studying criminology with forensic psychology at the University of West London were on hold.

The 20-year-old from Hilton in Derbyshire, who has now received the grades for her BTec in uniformed public services, said there was an overwhelming sense of "being let down".

Holly points to the fact that A-level results every year are a staple of newspaper front pages, but on Thursday there was "no mention" of the delays to BTec results until it got coverage more widely this weekend.

"Everyone sees BTecs as maybe not as good or not as rewarding, but just because we don't have to sit the big exams at the end doesn't mean that it's not as hard work," she says.

Holly felt the experience of lockdowns, school closures and general disruption to the lives of teenagers during the Covid pandemic - and then the disruption caused by the delay - made her question what all the work had been for.

"They put out a statement saying it happens to a small percentage every year, but it's concerning that over several years they can't get it right," she adds.

"What is going on that they're getting it so wrong, but other exam boards like AQA who are doing pure A-level results don't get it wrong?"

Her university place is now secure, though, and her foresight in securing accommodation before her results dropped means she has, at least, somewhere to live.

Olivia Chester believes similar delays to thousands of A-level students would have had much more attention


For Olivia Chester, a room near Cardiff University's campus remains elusive after the delay in receiving the result of her BTec in business left her scrambling for options.

The 18-year-old, from Stratford-Upon-Avon in Warwickshire, endured an "immensely stressful" wait of more than 30 hours until her place to study business management was confirmed on Friday evening.

She believes a big part of the problem is the negative perception of vocational qualifications among the media, government and wider public.

Olivia argued if there had been similar issue with A-Level grades delays "would have been a way bigger deal and sorted way quicker", rather than taking days to resolve.

Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live, she said she thinks students who take BTec and similar courses are "seen as lesser than" those who do more traditional exam-based qualification.

"It's so important that almost everyone starts to realise that we are seen as below A-level."

On Saturday, another BTec student told the BBC his dream university ended its clearing process before he received his grades.

Pearson has not revealed how many students are yet to hear, but has said that less than 1% of BTec students - who number about 200,000 - were still waiting qualifications as of Sunday afternoon.

The board said it was releasing results hourly and claimed the issues were not "systemic", but that they were finding that the reasons for the delays are "unique to each school or college".

Pearson also had problems with delays getting its BTec results out in 2020, when students similarly claimed to have been "forgotten about" for days.

Another exam board, OCR, has also had delays issuing Cambridge Technicals results to some students this year, and two years ago.

A spokesperson for Pearson reiterated its apologies that some are still waiting for their results.

It said staff were working "around the clock to resolve any remaining issues" with schools and colleges.

"Our team has delivered hundreds of results yesterday and today and we are here all weekend working to deliver more results as soon as we can," it added.

Pearson explained the best thing students can do is "contact their university of choice directly, so that they know they want the offered place and can hold it".

"Or we are happy to call their university for them to explain the situation."

On Saturday. Education Secretary James Cleverly said: "Students should be reassured that UCAS has asked universities to hold places for students in this position. Any student holding an offer who is worried should contact their university for advice."

Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
UK's Online Safety Law: A Front for Censorship
Nationwide Protests Erupt in Brazil Demanding Presidential Resignation
Parents Abandon Child at Barcelona Airport Over Passport Issue
Mystery Surrounds Death of Brazilian Woman with iPhones Glued to Her Body
Bus Driver Discovers Toddler Hidden in Suitcase in New Zealand
Switzerland Celebrates 734 Years of Independence Amid Global Changes
U.S. Opens Official Investigation into Former Trump Prosecutor Jack Smith
Leaked audio of Canada's new PM Mark Carney admitting the truth about the Net Zero agenda: "We're gonna make a lot of money off of this."
China Enforces Comprehensive Ban on Cryptocurrency Activities
Absolutely 100% Realistic EVO Series Doll by EXDOLL (Chinese Company) used mainly for carnal purposes
World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab: "In this new world, we must accept... total transparency. You have to get used to it. You have to behave accordingly. But if you have nothing to hide, you shouldn't be afraid."
Meet Mufti Hamid Patel, head of Office for Standards in Education in Pakistan
George Soros tells the World Economic Forum: "President Trump is a con man and the ultimate narcissist, who wants the world to revolve around him."
Hamas are STARVING the hostages.
Decline in Tourism in Majorca Amidst Ongoing Anti-Tourism Protests
British Tourist Dies Following Hair Transplant in Turkey, Police Investigate
Poland Begins Excavation at Dziemiany After New Clue to World War II‑Era Nazi Treasure
WhatsApp Users Targeted in New Scam Involving Account Takeovers
Trump Threatens Canada with Tariffs Over Palestinian State Recognition
Trump Deploys Nuclear Submarines After Threats from Former Russian President Medvedev
Trump Sues Murdoch in “Heavyweight Bout”: Lawsuit Over Alleged Epstein Letter Sets Stage for Courtroom Showdown
Germany Enters Fiscal Crisis as Cabinet Approves €174 Billion in New Debt
Trump Administration Finalizes Broad Tariff Increases on Global Trade Partners
J.K. Rowling Limits Public Engagements Citing Safety Fears
JD.com Launches €2.2 Billion Bid for German Electronics Retailer Ceconomy
Azerbaijan Proceeds with Plan to Legalise Casinos on Artificial Islands
Former Judge Charged After Drunk Driving Crash Kills Comedian in Brazil
Jeff Bezos hasn’t paid a dollar in taxes for decades. He makes billions and pays $0 in taxes, LEGALLY
China Increases Use of Exit Bans Amid Rising U.S. Tensions
IMF Upgrades Global Growth Forecast as Weaker Dollar Supports Outlook
Procter & Gamble to Raise U.S. Prices to Offset One‑Billion‑Dollar Tariff Cost
House Republicans Move to Defund OECD Over Global Tax Dispute
Botswana Seeks Controlling Stake in De Beers as Anglo American Prepares Exit
Trump Administration Proposes Repeal of Obama‑Era Endangerment Finding, Dismantling Regulatory Basis for CO₂ Emissions Limits
France Opens Criminal Investigation into X Over Algorithm Manipulation Allegations
A family has been arrested in the UK for displaying the British flag
Mel Gibson refuses to work with Robert De Niro, saying, "Keep that woke clown away from me."
Trump Steamrolls EU in Landmark Trade Win: US–EU Trade Deal Imposes 15% Tariff on European Imports
ChatGPT CEO Sam Altman says people share personal info with ChatGPT but don’t know chats can be used as court evidence in legal cases.
The British propaganda channel BBC News lies again.
Deputy attorney general's second day of meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell has concluded
Controversial March in Switzerland Features Men Dressed in Nazi Uniforms
Politics is a good business: Barack Obama’s Reported Net Worth Growth, 1990–2025
Thai Civilian Death Toll Rises to 12 in Cambodian Cross-Border Attacks
TSUNAMI: Trump Just Crossed the Rubicon—And There’s No Turning Back
Over 120 Criminal Cases Dismissed in Boston Amid Public Defender Shortage
UN's Top Court Declares Environmental Protection a Legal Obligation Under International Law
"Crazy Thing": OpenAI's Sam Altman Warns Of AI Voice Fraud Crisis In Banking
The Podcaster Who Accidentally Revealed He Earns Over $10 Million a Year
Trump Announces $550 Billion Japanese Investment and New Trade Agreements with Indonesia and the Philippines
×