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Information Technology

IT skills are highly valued in all aspects of business and society and there is a demand for people who have the skills to refine and apply new developments to the real world. This exciting course will enable you to develop your understanding of the latest technologies and to become a competent IT user and successful in the workplace. You will develop your technical skills in a wide range of industry-standard software packages.

Year 1

Cyber Security and Incident Management

You will study cyber security threats and vulnerabilities, the methods used to protect organisations against threats and managing security incidents.
This unit is externally assessed in an exam.

Creating systems to manage information

From the smallest in-house systems to stock control systems for large online retailers, databases are a significant part of organisational operating requirements. You will study the design, creation, testing
and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information. This unit is internally assessed.

Year 2

Information Technology Systems

You will learn about many IT topics, from storage devices and solutions to network protocols and cyber security. There is a focus on business, and you will investigate the impact that a new IT system might have on a business, do the advantages of an upgrade always outweigh any potential issues?

This unit is externally assessed in an exam.


Website Design

You will learn practical skills in web design, such as using html, css and javascript. We will investigate features that make a successful website and compare different websites. Finally, we will create a website to a client brief and upload it to the internet.

This unit is internally assessed.

Course Essentials

Courses Available

BTEC Level 3 Extended Certificate (equivalent to 1 A-Level)

Entry Requirements

PLUS

Grade 4 in GCSE Maths
Grade 4 in GCSE IT or equivalent (desirable)

How The Course is Assessed

60% Exam, 40% Coursework

Career Pathways

University courses include Digital Media, Computer Science or Business Information Systems. Apprenticeships. Good IT skills are in high demand in most areas of employment.

Transferable Skills

Problem-solving; critical thinking; communicating; working collaboratively; negotiating; influencing; adaptability and resilience.

Other Information

You will have individual access to a computer during lessons. Coursework requires time in addition to normal teaching. It is essential that students can manage their time effectively and be willing to work outside timetabled lessons. Open access facilities are available for this.

Enquiries To

Tim Bowry: twb@vardean.ac.uk

What are the Standard Entry Requirements?

CourseGeneral GCSE Grade minimum entry requirements
IB Diploma or 4 A levelsA mixture of at least 7 GCSEs at Grades 9 – 6 including English, Maths and Science.
3 A LevelsA mixture of at least 6 GCSEs at Grades 9 – 4 including English.
A mixed programme at Level 3, to include at least one vocational courseA mixture of at least 5 GCSEs at Grades 9 – 4 including English.
Foundation Level (Level 2)At least 4 GCSEs at Grade 3, including English. At least one GCSE should be at Grade 4 or above.
Any student who has not achieved a grade 4 or C in GCSE English and/or Maths must include further study of these subjects in their programme.