Accepting admissions for 2025/2026
Please contact our admissions team
The UAE has one of the most fast-paced, globally connected educational landscapes on the planet. As such, academic choice matters. While many families are familiar with the International Baccalaureate (IB), fewer know about BTECs - an internationally respected, career-focused qualification that offers an alternative route to success. At SISD, our students can choose between both the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) and IB Career-related programme (IBCP) in Grades 11 and 12. The IBCP consists of students studying the core programme, alongside three IBDP subjects. The BTEC Extended Diploma's on offer at SISD, provide students with the flexibility to shape their future based on their strengths and aspirations.
BTEC stands for Business and Technology Education Council. It’s a UK-based qualification that focuses on practical, skills-based learning. Rather than relying heavily on written exams, BTECs combine academic study with hands-on experience. Students apply what they learn through real-world scenarios, industry-specific projects, and ongoing coursework. BTECs are internationally recognised and respected qualifications and are becoming increasingly popular. They are already being offered in a growing number of international schools across the UAE, including ours.
BTECs are ideal for students who:
Prefer project-based learning over exam-heavy formats
Are interested in a particular field such as business, hospitality or sport
Want to develop workplace-ready skills alongside academic knowledge
Are planning to pursue university studies, enter the workforce, or explore vocational training
In the UAE, where education is often highly competitive and exam-focused, BTECs offer a refreshing option for students who thrive through applied learning. They’re especially well-suited to students with a clear interest in a particular career path, or those who benefit from more personalised, continuous assessment. Though vocational study may once have had negative connotations, those are very much in the past and BTECs are every bit as well recognised and respected as many other, more traditional qualifications. Therefore, if a student learns better through practical application, they should strongly consider a BTEC as a educational pathway.
Unlike the IB, which includes final exams, BTECs are assessed primarily through coursework, assignments, and practical tasks. Students might be asked to:
Create business plans
Deliver presentations
Analyse real-world case studies
Take part in practical assessments that simulate industry scenarios
Each unit in the course is graded as either a Pass, Merit, or Distinction. These grades are combined to form an overall qualification result. The system encourages consistent effort and rewards students for progress made throughout the course - not just performance on a final test. It is arguably a much fairer method of assessment as it reflects a student’s performance over the whole programme and means they are not penalised for having an off day if exam pressure becomes too much.
One of the strengths of BTECs is how flexible they are. Graduates can go on to:
Many top universities in the UK, Europe, and increasingly the UAE and wider Middle East region accept BTEC qualifications, especially for courses related to business, sport science, media, hospitality and healthcare.
BTECs offer a strong foundation for students who want to enter structured training programmes in areas like engineering or hospitality. Our BTEC students often find apprenticeships much easier to get into compared to those that took a different study path because they already possess many of the skills required for the role.
Students leave BTEC programmes with real, transferable skills that employers value. For students in the UAE aiming to join family businesses or start entrepreneurial ventures, this can be a significant advantage.
With the UAE’s growing focus on innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic diversification (especially in sectors like tech, sport, and creative industries), BTECs align well with the country’s long-term goals.
BTECs are only increasing in popularity and they are a great choice, but there are a couple of potential drawbacks. Mostly, these relate to outdated conceptions of what the BTEC entails and how they are viewed. Typically, BTECs are seen as less academically rigorous than an equivalent qualification such as an A Level in the UK (where BTECs originated). This can make them less suitable for a more traditional learner that prefers classroom study. Some universities still prefer other qualifications like A Levels or an IB Diploma, particularly for their more competitive courses, but BTECs are becoming more accepted over time. At SISD, our BTECs form part of the core components of the IBCP, therefore are more widely recognised.
These issues are all to do with perception, however, and BTECs are gaining more recognition each year. The only issue they may cause the student themselves is that their options may be narrowed. As a BTEC is highly specific to a particular role or industry, it may limit future career options if the student’s goals and aspirations change.
At SISD we offer 2 different Level 3 Extended BTEC pathways: Business and Hospitality and Sport and Business Management. These are led by experienced educators who understand how to connect classroom learning with real-world application and supported by industry professional that equip our students with valuable experience. Our BTEC pathways are fully integrated into our school’s academic framework, ensuring the same high standards and personalised support our IB students receive.
We believe in preparing students not just for university admissions, but for success in the world beyond.
If you would like to find out more about BTECs and our IBCP pathways at SISD, speak to our admissions team today! They will be happy to answer any questions and advise on the best programme for you.
The International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum is a globally recognised curriculum, known for its academic rigor, holistic approach, and focus on preparing students for the future. The IB is a curriculum for families to consider, especially when they desire a pathway that emphasizes global-mindedness, critical thinking and personal growth.
What exactly are the benefits of the IB curriculum and why is it such a popular choice for students around the world?
