Computing & IT – BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Computer Science

This course is designed to allow students to develop their skills in hardware architecture, software development and game design and development. It will appeal to students who wish to progress to a university degree and/or pursue a career in an IT-related field such as games development, IT engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence or software development and IT Systems Security.

Course Specific Trips & Visits

The College runs a number of educational experiences each year to enable students to contextualise their learning. These experiences include trips and presentations by visiting speakers.

Students on this course have visited An Aviation Experience (plane simulator), to demonstrate how software enables an aircraft to operate.

BTECs in Computing are accepted by universities and are an excellent foundation for a range of IT and Computing degree courses. Success on this course will allow students to progress into IT-related careers including software and games development and IT technical support.

Students wishing to study BTEC Level 3 courses, need to have (or expect to achieve) at least four GCSE passes at Grade 4 or above including English and Mathematics (and a satisfactory school reference) in order to be accepted on a BTEC Level 3 Programme.

Students should have at least basic IT skills and be interested in the practical aspects of computers, computer systems and software development. They should enjoy and be good at working with numbers, planning their own learning and working with others. Students must be able to work on their own initiative to solve problems, meet coursework deadlines and give presentations.

The course is assessed through a combination of internal and external assessments. Students will complete 10 units of coursework and one exam in each year.

The programme of study is varied and is designed to prepare students for the tasks they would face in  IT-related jobs, such as software development and systems support. Students will learn by completing projects, exams and assignments based on the demands and activities of realistic workplace situations.

The exam board for this course is Pearson BTEC.