BTEC or NVQ?

[Ashyboo]

To give me vital information as to the route I should be taking. I have been considering a career change and after much deliberation have decided to work towards a Physiotherapy Degree. However, I have not completed my schooling in the UK as I am from South Africa, so will probably not have the relevant A levels in order to proceed with the relevant degree. Not sure if my South African marks will count. So I was thinking along the lines of obtaining, through distance learning as I work full-time, a BTEC Level 2 in Health and Social Care and/or NVQ Level 3 in Anatomy and Physiology, work as a Physiotherapy Assistant, whereby I’ll be able to complete my degree on a part-time basis from there. What are your views on this?

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

[CleeIB]

Hi Ashyboo,

We don't have physiotherapy-specific expertise here, and thus can't advise you specifically regarding BTEC vs. NVQ. However, a brief Google search for BTEC and NVQ reveals that a good number of other people have already discussed similar topics. Give that a go, and good luck!

[beaniebop]

Ashyboo,

I can only speak for NVQs as I have a few and have found they have helped me greatly during my career. The BTEC course you mention may not be a closely matched course to physiotherapy, but the NVQ level 3 sounds promising. I would contact a few of the course awarding bodies and check what their requirements are i.e. living in the UK for x years etc.

I can see that AIQ include physiology in their level 3 personal training course (http://www.nvqcourseshub.co.uk/active-iq-level-3-nvq-diploma-in-personal-training-course).

The list of awarding bodies and their website addresses are here - http://www.nvqcourseshub.co.uk/nvq-course-organisations

Best of luck.

BB