For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.
When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
The BTEC Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles provides opportunities for learners
to apply their knowledge and practical skills in the workplace. Full-time learners have the
opportunity to do this through formal work placements or their part-time employment
experience.
The qualification prepares learners for employment in the fashion and textiles sector and will be
suitable for learners who have already decided that they wish to enter this area of work. Some
adult learners may wish to make the commitment required by this qualification in order to enter
a specialist area of employment in fashion and textiles or progress into higher education. Other
learners may want to extend the specialism that they followed on the BTEC Higher National
Certificate programme. Progression from this qualification may well be into or within
employment in the fashion and textiles sector.
The BTEC Higher National Diploma in Fashion and Textiles mainly offers a progression route
for learners who are studying on an Art and Design Diploma in Foundation Studies course, a
National Diploma in Design or a National Diploma in Art and Design.
The assessment of these BTEC qualifications is criterion-referenced and centres will be required to assess the learners’ evidence against published learning outcomes and assessment criteria. This gives transparency to the assessment process and provides for the establishment of national standards for each qualification.
It is recognised that learners present with varying experiences of education and training and/or work and centres are encouraged to take an open approach to the choice of assessment methods in the general guidance from Edexcel and other support material such as Tutor Support Material. In particular Edexcel has always supported a learner-centred approach to learning and the associated assessment so that maximum use is made of learner’s environment and experience.
A range of assessment methods are available to centres that include open-book projects or assignments, practical tests, closed or open short answer questions, essays, performance or artefacts. Centres are expected to use assessment methods that are fit-for-purpose in relation to the size and subject content of each qualification and the nature of the learners so that there are maximum opportunities to present evidence that will meet the requirements of the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. For part time learners who principally study for the BTEC Higher National Certificate, Edexcel encourages centres to make maximum use of the learners’ current and/or past work and other experience. For the full time learners on the BTEC Higher National Diploma programmes, while full use should be made of any work experience, it is likely that realistic case studies and research into companies and organisations will offer a more appropriate assessment approach
The guidance section of the specifications and the Information for Tutors section of the units will provide guidance about suitable assessment strategies.
Candidates must complete all seven units from Group A, plus nine optional units from Group B.