Key Points
- Hundreds of students at Barking & Dagenham College collected their BTEC and T-Level results, securing university places and apprenticeship offers.
- Engineering T-Level student Harvey McLaughlin, who won gold in Additive Manufacturing at the WorldSkills UK Finals, earned a Merit grade to progress into an engineering apprenticeship.
- Students earned university places for degree courses including biomedical science, radiography, finance, marketing, business, and fashion, with destinations including the University of East London and the University of Greenwich.
- BTEC student Gina Stancheva achieved DDD in Art and Design Practice (Fashion), while Kseveras Gramauskas received DD*D in Business.
- Principal and CEO Natalie Davison said vocational qualifications combine academic knowledge with practical experience to prepare students for higher education and employment.
Barking (East London Times) September 3, 2026—Barking, East London, September 3, 2026 — Students at Barking & Dagenham College gathered to receive their BTEC and T-Level examination results, marking a major milestone in technical and vocational education across the borough. Smiling cohort members celebrated top-tier marks that have opened direct routes into higher education and industry. The achievements highlight the growing importance of practical, employer-focused pathways alongside traditional academic routes.
- Key Points
- Which Academic and Vocational Pathways Have Students Secured?
- What Achievements Were Recorded in Art, Design, and Business?
- How Did College Leadership Respond to the Results?
- What Is the Background to This Development?
- What Is the Prediction for How This Development Will Affect the Local Area and Employers?
Which Academic and Vocational Pathways Have Students Secured?
As hundreds of young people collected their transcript summaries, Barking & Dagenham College highlighted the success of students progressing across diverse disciplines. Graduates secured higher education places in fields including biomedical science, radiography, marketing, business management, and creative arts.
The success stories range from healthcare aspirants to elite technical specialists. Among those receiving results was Engineering T-Level student Harvey McLaughlin, who has earned national recognition after taking home gold in Additive Manufacturing at the WorldSkills UK Finals. Today, McLaughlin added a Merit grade in his Engineering T-Level to his accolades.
As reported by the media team at Barking & Dagenham College, Harvey McLaughlin stated that:
“I’m really happy. T-Levels are hard work but that hard work has paid off. This will help me get on with an engineering apprenticeship.”
What Achievements Were Recorded in Art, Design, and Business?
Creative arts and business faculties reported outstanding individual performances among Level 3 BTEC qualification streams.
Gina Stancheva, an 18-year-old student from Dagenham, secured a Distinction* Double Distinction (D*DD) in her Art and Design Practice (Fashion) BTEC. The qualification has guaranteed her a place at the University of East London.
As reported by the media team at Barking & Dagenham College, Gina Stancheva stated that:
“I’m more than happy! I achieved this because of my tutors and because of the hard work I’ve put in. I’m so excited for the future.”
Her classmate, 19-year-old Dylan Upegui, also from Dagenham, celebrated completing his BTEC Design Practice (Fashion) course alongside Stancheva.
As reported by the media team at Barking & Dagenham College, Dylan Upegui stated that:
“We were nervous before we opened our results but we’re so happy with them. We deserve these results. We put in a lot of effort and it’s paid off.”
In business studies, 18-year-old Redbridge resident Kseveras Gramauskas achieved the maximum possible grade profile of Triple Distinction* (DDD) in his Business BTEC. Having transitioned to Barking & Dagenham College directly from secondary school, Gramauskas has developed a passion for commercial finance. He is now preparing to start degree-level study, identifying the University of Greenwich as a leading choice for his finance and business management studies.
As reported by the media team at Barking & Dagenham College, Kseveras Gramauskas stated that:
“I’ve done it! With these results I’m now going to university and I feel ready for that with these grades. I’ve achieved more than I thought, I’m really proud of myself.”
How Did College Leadership Respond to the Results?
College leadership praised the resilience, effort, and ambitions displayed across the student body, reaffirming the institution’s commitment to technical qualifications.
As reported by the media team at Barking & Dagenham College, Principal and CEO Natalie Davison stated that:
“Today is about celebrating the achievements, determination and ambition of every one of our students. Whether they are progressing to university, an apprenticeship or employment, they should be incredibly proud of what they have achieved. Vocational qualifications combine academic knowledge with practical skills and real-world experience, opening doors to higher education and rewarding careers. These results show just how much talent is coming through these pathways, and we are delighted to see so many of our students taking exciting next steps.”
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What Is the Background to This Development?
The success at Barking & Dagenham College reflects a broader national push across the UK education sector to elevate technical and vocational qualifications. T-Levels, introduced by the Department for Education as two-year courses equivalent to three A-Levels, combine classroom learning with extended industry placements of at least 315 hours. Designed alongside employers, they aim to bridge skill shortages in critical sectors such as engineering, healthcare, and digital technology.
Simultaneously, BTEC qualifications remain a foundational route for vocational progression into UK universities, carrying equivalent UCAS tariff points to traditional A-Levels. Colleges in the East London area have increasingly invested in industry-grade facilities, employer partnerships, and specialized apprenticeship frameworks to meet rising regional demands for skilled labor in science, engineering, and commercial industries.
What Is the Prediction for How This Development Will Affect the Local Area and Employers?
Impact on Local Industry and Employers
The steady pipeline of high-achieving technical graduates from Barking & Dagenham College directly addresses regional skills shortages across Greater London and Essex. Employers in engineering, healthcare, and business logistics will gain access to job-ready candidates possessing both academic foundations and practical industry experience.
Impact on Prospective Students and Educational Progression
The strong results achieved in T-Levels and BTECs will likely encourage future cohorts of secondary school leavers in East London to consider vocational routes alongside conventional A-Levels. As high-grade achievers demonstrate clear pathways into top universities and prestigious apprenticeships, public perception of technical education will continue to strengthen across the borough.
