BTEC National Diploma / Certificate / Award IT Practitioners

Course Overview
This technical qualification is highly respected throughout the computing industry and will give you the opportunity to develop both theoretical knowledge and practical skills over a wide range of computing applications. This full-time qualification is equivalent of up to 3 -A- Levels (Diploma), 2 -A- Levels (Certificate) and 1 -A- Level (Award).

This course would suit school leavers, applicants looking for a change in career direction, and those who want to progress on to university to study for a degree in a Computing discipline.

Course Structure
Award students study this programme over a one-year period, whereas Certificate and Diploma students study over a two-year period.


In the first year students may study:

• PC Systems
• Networking
• Software Design & Development
• 
  Systems Analysis & Design
  
• 
  Website Production & Management
  
• Advanced Database & Spreadsheet skills

In the second year, Certificate and Diploma students will study units covering areas such as Networking, Software Development and Systems Support.

Additional Key Skills Level 2 qualifications in Application of Number and Communications are also available, dependant on entry qualifications.

Qualification Aims
Upon successful completion of this course, students may progress into industry at technician level or apply for a specialist degree programme at University such as Network and Systems Engineering, Web Development, Gaming and Software Development.

Assessments/Examinations
Methods of assessment include report-based assignments, practical workshops and (internal) open-book assessments. In year two of the programme, students will be required to undertake an individual project as part of their assessment.

Cost / Equipment
A course payment of£50 (non-refundable) is required towards the cost of a USB Open-drive , course book (covering many of the core units), stationery and consumables.

If you are 19 years of age or over at the start of the course, tuition fees of£495 per year may be payable. However, students who are under the age of 25 at the start of the course, may not need to pay course fees if this is their first level three course.

Start Date
September 2010

Requirement
College interview 4 GCSEs at grades A-C or equivalent (including English and Maths) or BTEC First Diploma for ICT Practitioners at Merit or above with a good level of English Satisfactory school report or references An Initial assessment may be required in some instances to demonstrate the ability to cope with the level of the course Applicants over the age of 21 will be assessed on their individual merits and may be asked to demonstrate their ability to cope with the level of the course, as part of the application process.