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IT Practitioners (Systems Support): IT Practitioners (Network): BTEC
BTEC National Certificate/Diploma National Certificate/Diploma with
with Vendor Qualifications Vendor Qualifications
This is a two-year, level 3 course for students interested in This is a two-year, level 3 course for students interested
the IT industry (in the systems support area in particular). in the IT industry (and network administration and
The diploma is equivalent to three A levels. The certificate management in particular). The diploma is equivalent to
is equivalent to two A levels. three A levels. The certificate is equivalent to two A levels.
Course details The certificate course consists of four Course details The certificate course consists of four
core units detailing the underlying concepts of software core units detailing the underlying concepts of software
development, and eight specialist units for the more development, and eight specialist units for the more
advanced skills including: databases, spreadsheets, advanced skills including: databases, spreadsheets,
website production, computer game development, networks, system support, website production, computer
digital graphics and computer animation. The Diploma game development, digital graphics and computer
course requires a further six units making a total of animation. The Diploma course requires a further six units
eighteen units in all. making a total of eighteen units in all.
How is it assessed? The assignments are marked internally How is it assessed? The assignments are marked internally
and you are given feedback for each unit. You must and you are given feedback for each unit. You must
complete all criteria at each level to gain the full grade. complete all criteria at each level to gain the full grade.
Course duration Two years full-time. Course duration Two years full-time.
What do I need to study this subject? You should have What do I need to study this subject? You should have
five GCSE grades A*-C and at least D in Maths and five GCSE grades A*-C and at least D in Maths and
English. Students wishing to progress on to BTEC IT courses English. Students wishing to progress on to BTEC IT courses
from other vocational courses must have a grade D or from other vocational courses must have a grade D or
above in GCSE Mathematics and English. above in GCSE Mathematics and English.
Where can this lead me? The BTEC National Where can this lead me? The BTEC National
Certificate/Diploma is an excellent course for students Certificate/Diploma is an excellent course for students
wishing to pursue a career in computing, such as wishing to pursue a career in computing, such as
hardware testing and design, systems analysis, web hardware testing and design, systems analysis, web
design or software engineering. Students have the option design or software engineering. Students have the option
of progressing to degrees in computer-related courses of progressing to degrees in computer-related courses
at university. at university.
What are the enrichment opportunities? Students on the What are the enrichment opportunities? Students on the
course can participate in projects with other European course can participate in projects with other European
countries. In the past the course has been involved with countries. In the past the course has been involved with
the Comenius Project, giving students the opportunity to the Comenius Project, giving students the opportunity to
travel to Germany or Hungary and to meet overseas travel to Germany or Hungary and to meet overseas
students when they visit London. students when they visit London.
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