Information and Communications Technology AS and A Level

Is this subject right for me?
Are you planning on entering the world of business in the future?
Are you interested in how ICT is used in a business?
Would you like to improve your practical skills on a computer?
Are you able to be self motivated and organised in order to hit coursework deadlines on time?

This is a very practical course open to all students of whatever discipline. It uses a task driven approach to problem solving and decision making which relies on the effective use of ICT. The course aims to develop an understanding and awareness of Information and Communication Technology within a global environment. You will learn to analyse problems and produce solutions for those problems using software packages. This course does not involve learning a traditional programming language.

ICT at both AS and A Level will prepare you for an ever increasing number of courses in Higher Education including Business IT, Information Systems, Business or Multimedia. Computers are an integral part of most workplace situations and people with good ICT skills are always in demand.

Alternatively, some students go on to courses/jobs that are unrelated to ICT but the skills they have gained are increasingly used to cope with the latest technological advances.

What is the course content?

The AS is a qualification in its own right and is worth 50% of the marks for A Level.

AS Level (Year 1)

Module 1â€"Information, systems and applications
You will look at IT in business and the different applications used, this is the theory of IT as opposed to the practical application side of it.
Module 2â€"Structured ICT tasks
You will use different software applications in order to solve given problems.

A Level (Year 2)

Module 3 â€"ICT systems applications and implications
You will look at the implications of technology on society and will look further into systems in use in industry and how those systems are created.

Module 4â€"ICT Project
You will adapt a software application to solve a problem for a user, this is a substantial project and will be developed throughout the year.

Many students have never used a computer to produce business systems before so we teach you the necessary skills as you need them. To allow you maximum time to learn these new skills, you will always have individual access to a computer during practical lessons and the college provides 'open access' computers outside your lesson times. The college computers are all networked and you will have your own password protected network area.

How will your work be assessed?

AS Level (Year 1)

Module 1 is assessed with a 2 hour written exam and is 60% of the total AS mark
Module 2 is assessed by coursework which is internally marked and externally moderated and is 40% of the total AS.

A Level (Year 2)

Module 3 is assessed with a 2 hour written exam worth 60% of the A2 grade
(30% of the total A level)
Module 4 is assessed with coursework which is worth 40% of the A2 grade
(20% of the total A level) and is internally marked and externally moderated.

What are the entry requirements?

The general entry requirements for studying at Advanced level apply, and a minimum of grade C in English GCSE is preferred.

Other information

You need to carefully consider the differences between Computing and ICT. They cover similar areas of study but have a different emphasis.

ICT covers many of the same areas of study as Computing with the major exception of Computer Programming. The emphasis in ICT is more on investigating the use of applications programs such as Databases and Spreadsheets to solve the information needs of business in general and managers in particular. This course is particularly suitable for any student who is interested in using computers to solve problems without wishing to know much technical detail.

10/09