Introducing students to blended learning during induction May 2020
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This week our CEO Andy Bird announced a new direction for Pearson, one that centers on the needs of learners worldwide and provides the skills and resources to support every stage of their journey. We're excited to see what the future holds!
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To ensure our qualifications meet the needs of employers and universities and reflect changing industry needs, we have started the redevelopment process for the BTEC Higher Nationals in Business.
Share your thoughts about this qualification in our survey so we can ensure that we address any issues and opportunities in the revalidation process. *The survey closes on 28 February.


This qualification is designed to help students secure the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to succeed in higher education and successfully progress on to the BTEC Higher Nationals in Business.
We're looking for centres interested in being part of a pilot study for developing transition resources for this qualification. Email us at highernationals@pearson.com if you'd like to get involved.


Students who have completed our BTEC Higher Nationals in Business can apply for exemptions from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) foundation and professional papers. Exemptions are available for:
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Business (Accounting and Finance) Exemptions are also available for the QCF suite and you can view all of the HN exemptions on the ACCA calculator .

- Go to HN Global to download new Example Assessment Briefs for BTEC Higher Nationals in Business.

- We've just released an updated specification for BTEC Higher Nationals in Agriculture (issue 3). The changes are clearly listed in a summary table.




We continue developing content which both students and tutors will find useful. Some are generic, like our Study Resources , and others are specific to qualification subject. So far we have released this for:
- Performing Arts
- Music
- Healthcare
- But more will be released soon. If you'd like to share your feedback about these resources, or make a suggestion, please let us know!

The BTEC Awards are a great way to shine a light on exceptional students, tutors who strive for the best, and to recognise a college that is doing great things.
Nominations are open, closing on Friday, 3 April. Submit your nomination today! Our updated form will make it easier and quicker to complete the process.



We've seen great success in centres adopting HN Online to deliver BTEC Higher Nationals in Business using blended learning, and we're scheduled to launch HN Online for our Engineering qualifications this September.
Find out more, hear from the content co-creators, and get a sneak peak of the new platform at our big reveal webinar in April!

HN Online is helping transform traditional HE delivery in colleges from fully face to face to a blended delivery model, as well as recruit learners from diverse backgrounds who want to access HE in a flexible way. Contact us at highernationals@pearson.com to start the conversation.



Bryden Wood directors Jaimie Johnston and Jami Cresser-Brown discuss transforming the design and construction sector, and the new and wide-ranging opportunities available to the next generation of recruits. Read the full article





- We held an Engineering Skills forum in December! (We updated the page and published a new video)
- Deadline for submitting your APMR is 13 February. Need to talk to someone? Email hnqa@pearson.com
- MLN requests submitted now until the end of this academic year will be considered late and therefore subject to the new late fee.
- Our Student Survey is currently scheduled to launch on 7 April 2020.



We have recently released a new online course, which aims to help tutors develop their teaching and learning practice for BTEC Higher Nationals. The course explores different aspects of programme design, delivery and assessment.
Find out more about the content we included in the course and how to sign up.



- Our annual Student - Survey is due to launch in April 2020. We'll share more details with you later this month.
- In response to your feedback, we are currently making changes to our specifications. The updated documents will be released in May 2020.
- The re-approval window (for centres moving from QCF to RQF qualifications) closes on 20 March 2020.
The HNQA Calendar The HNQA Calendar highlights more key dates between now and August 2020.

Study Guides are designed to support students in their study for a specific unit of their qualification. They provide guidance in relation to the specific essential content of the unit, highlighting key topics and principles that they should explore further.
In addition, they provide additional guidance in regards to Learning Outcomes and Assessment Criteria. Through ‘tips’ and ‘activities’ students are encouraged to explore topics further.
Find out more and download a sample via HN Global.

These documents outline the theme and topics that must be used for students undertaking the BTEC Higher National qualifications for each subject sector.

The documents are now available to download on HN Global. Go to All Subjects and choose delivery materials under your qualification subject.





The BTEC Awards are a great way to shine a We have produced mapping documents for Healthcare Assistant Practitioner and Standards relating to Construction to help you identify which units provide assessed evidence for relevant elements of Higher Apprenticeship Standards. The mapping is not exhaustive and you can contact us if you have any questions regarding these documents or Higher Apprenticeship Standards in general.



We are currently conducting research to explore the demand for the next subject that we will develop for HN Online. Up until 3 April 2020 we are looking to conduct short research interviews with tutors who are involved with BTEC HNs in Computing and staff members supporting students with English language requirements. Let us know if you'd like to get involved.
Register for our blended learning webinars:
- How to engage students outside the classroom using blended delivery?
Thursday, 19 March, 8.30am
- Delivering HNs in Engineering using HN Online
Wednesday, 29 April, 2.30pm

BTEC Awards are a great way to recognise learners, teachers, tutors, schools, and colleges that stand above the rest. We've simplified the form this year so it's easy to submit your nomination. Don't delay! Deadline for submissions is Friday, 3 April.











- Working in the Creative Industries after the #metoo movement written by Fiona Ross, our Subject Lead for Performing Arts. You may find this a useful read for the core unit this year.
- What next? Why not gain a Masters? Read if you've ever wondered what an Integrated Masters programme is and how HN students can benefit from pursuing it.
- It’s architecture, but not as you know it. Directors from Bryden Wood discuss transforming the design and construction sector, and the opportunities available to the next generation of recruits.