Level 3 Vocational IT & Digital

This two-year course is all about understanding how computers work and developing skills in areas such as software development, website production and networking. Within both the Level 3 BTEC Diploma and V-Level in Digital Systems and Data you will learn how technology, data and digital systems are used to solve problems and support organisations. You will develop applied skills in working with data, understanding digital systems, recognising cyber security risks, and designing or configuring digital solutions in realistic contexts.

Building on your existing knowledge this course will stretch and challenge your IT skills, covering many different subjects over two years. You will study a wide range of topics including the Information Technology Systems, Creating Systems to Manage Information, Using social media in Business, Computer Programming, Data Modelling, Mobile Apps Development, Software Testing and Games Development. You will also get the chance to work on a wide variety of interesting practical and theoretical projects.

By the end of this course, you will:

• Understand digital systems, security and support 
• Work with data to support decision making 
• Protect digital systems and information 
• Understand how digital solutions are designed and developed 
• Use digital technologies responsibly and effectively 
• Be confident in planning, designing and writing computer programmes
• Competent to build websites, 
• Be able to design and programme computer games

Experienced lecturers will teach lessons in our specialist IT classrooms with networked PCs where you have access to hardware and the latest IT technologies.

You will need a minimum of four or more high grades at GCSE in subjects relevant to the course you’d like to study, including maths and/or English Language at grade 4 or above. 

Alternatively, you’ll need a Level 2 Certificate with overall Merit in a relevant subject and maths and English at appropriate levels. 

An IT qualification such as GCSE or OCR National is also desirable.

For the BTEC Diploma in IT you are continuously assessed throughout the course. 8 units in total, 3 of which are assessed externally. Learning is through many different methods, including discussion, research and presentation, together with practical skill development where possible. There is a requirement placed on students to work outside of class. In similar fashion, the V-Level in Digital Systems and Data incorporates approximately 40% of external assessment and 60% assessed through internal methods.

This course is assessed through coursework activities, external assessment and examinations across both years of the course. There are opportunities to give presentations and to present work to an invited audience.

If you would like to find out more you can contact Steph Tague (Curriculum Leader for Level 3 Extended Diploma in Computing) by emailing: steph.tague@nscg.ac.uk

The majority of students from this course progress to a university-based programme such as Computer Science, Software Development or Business Information Systems. Some choose to study Games Programming. You can choose to study for a HE qualification here at NSCG through the HND in Computing, or to enter employment, possibly through an apprenticeship in areas such as Data Analysis, Software Development, Business Analysis and Cyber Security and at Level 5 in Data Engineering.

This course is free for anyone aged 16 – 18.

College Maintenance Allowance (CMA): Anyone with a gross household income under £35,000 can receive financial support to cover college related costs such as transport, meals, course equipment and uniform. Bursary support is based on individual circumstances and will be allocated to best suit your individual needs. A range of other financial support is available depending on your personal circumstances. For more details visit nscg.ac.uk/finance