INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Course Duration
2 Years
Examination Board
AQA
Entry Criteria
Grade 4 in both English and Maths GCSEs, and at least 3 other qualifications at grade 4 or above.
Why study BTEC level 3 Information Technology?
In today’s world, where ICT is constantly changing, individuals will increasingly need technological and information literacy skills that include the ability to gather, process and manipulate data. These skills are now as essential as the traditional skills of numeracy and literacy.
The impact of ICT on society is enormous and as the percentage of businesses and households connected to communication networks such as the internet grows, so does the need for individuals who can master and manipulate these new technologies. The BTEC National Extended Certificate in Information Technology allows you to develop a broad range of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding.
You may be considering joining the Information Technology industry as a software developer, computer games designer, technical support, data modelling consultant etc. This course and the skills you will learn are an excellent foundation for these careers or indeed a higher education course in this subject area.
What will I study during the course duration?
The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Information Technology is intended as an Applied General qualification equivalent in size to one A Level. It is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction to the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses. Students will develop a common core of IT knowledge and study areas such as the relationship between hardware and software that form an IT system, managing and processing data to support business and using IT to communicate and share information.
How will I be assessed?
Unit 1: Information Technology Systems
Students study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations. It is 33% of the final grade (written examination).
Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information:
Students study the design, creation, testing and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information. It is 25% of the final grade (10 hr controlled assessment).
Unit 3: Using Social Media in Business
Students will explore the impact of social media on the ways in which businesses promote their products and services. Students will also develop a plan to use social media in a business to meet requirements and implement the use of social media in a business. It is 25% of the overall grade (coursework-based project).
Unit 6 – Website Development
Students will develop an understanding of the principles of website development, design a website to meet client requirements and will develop a website to meet client requirements. It is worth 17% of the overall grade (coursework-based project).
Career opportunities and Future study
Students studying IT will develop a common core of knowledge and study areas, such as the relationship between hardware and software that form an IT system, managing and processing data to support businesses, and using IT to communicate and share information.
After studying IT, students can progress onto the following higher education courses or careers:
- Software developer
- Systems analyst
- Business analyst
- IT support analyst
- Network engineer
- IT consultant
- Technical sales representative
- Project manager