Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma Information Technology (IT)

Over the course you will gain employability and communication skills that will help you get ahead in this fast paced industry. You will develop your programming skills both in event driven and procedural programming, use software such as Dreamweaver and Adobe, and practice re-building computers and installing operating systems. You will also gain experience in designing and building websites and well as designing human friendly interfaces.

The ICT course involves some trips, visits and speakers from the industry. We try to make the course as real as possible, in terms of what you might get asked to do if you ever work in the ICT industry. Over the years some of the places we have visited include: Alton Towers- looking at how they use technology in rides; Cadbury World- how ICT is used in the manufacturing process; Jaguar Cars-how they manage their automated systems using IT. During the year we also invite people from universities to talk to you about degree courses, entry requirements and what you can do with an ICT type degree. We organise visits to other universities to find out about courses that they do, we also ask former students to come in and talk about their experiences at university.

Year 1 = 90 credit diploma

Year 2= extended diploma

Equivalent to 3 A Levels at A* - E depending on size

The course is made up of a range of coursework assignments and exam based units. Overall grade for the course Pass (E), Merit (C) or Distinction/Distinction* (A/A*).

At least 5 GCSEs grade A*/9 - C/4 including English Language and Maths.

You may progress to a range of jobs in the IT sector or to creative design industries. Employers value the skills you will gain and seek to employ people with initiative and creativity. Alternatively, you might apply for an Apprenticeship or go on to degree level study, on courses such as Computer Communications, Networks, Computer Science, Computing Graphics & Games, and Software Engineering.