INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY Level 3 National Diploma

Applicants must be at least 16 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course and have recently been in education to key stage 4 (completion of compulsory education).

Applicants should normally hold the following:

• 15 points or greater at GCSE, consisting of at least 4 GCSEs at Grade C, or equivalent; OR
• BTEC Level 2 First Diploma or equivalent at Pass or above with an overall profile equating to 15 points; OR
• NVQ Level 2 (in relevant subject area); OR
• Leaving Certificate – a profile equivalent to 12 points (of which 3 subjects must be achieved at Grade C3 or better at Ordinary Level) pre-2017. From 2017 onwards, or entry in 2018, 3 subjects must be achieved at 04 or better at Ordinary Level.

The College will review the qualifications and/or experience held by applicants and will consider whether this profile shows an ability to progress towards a level 3 qualification.

Please note in certain circumstances the College may reduce this requirement if it is deemed that the candidate has demonstrated the commitment, understanding and knowledge of the subject.

Applicants who do not possess GCSE English Language at Grade C or higher (or equivalent) must be able to demonstrate as part of their application they can communicate in written and spoken English Language to an acceptable level to succeed in the course. The College reserves the right to refer any applicant to appropriate English Language or Literacy classes until their level of fluency in written and spoken English is sufficient to allow participation in other areas of study.

Attendance at Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (individual or group interviews) is essential in the selection of candidates in all courses.

• Information Technology Systems.
• Creating Systems to Manage Information.
• Using Social Media in Business.
• Programming.
• IT Project Management.
• Cyber Security & Incident Management.
• Digital 2D/3D Graphics.
• Website Development.

Assessment is specifically designed to fit the purpose and objective of the qualification. It includes a range of assessment types and styles suited to vocational qualifications in the sector. There are three main forms of assessment that you need to be aware of: external, internal and synoptic.

The styles of external assessment used for qualifications in the Information Technology suite are:

• Examinations – all learners take the same assessment at the same time, normally with a written outcome.
• Set tasks – learners take the assessment during a defined window and demonstrate understanding through completion of a vocational task.

Some external assessments include a period of preparation using set information.

Students will be assessed using external methods for three modules in the course, two modules at the end of year 1 and a final external assessment at the end of year 2.

Internally-assessed units

Most units in the sector are internally assessed and subject to external standards verification. This means that you set and assess the assignments that provide the final summative assessment of each unit.

Synoptic assessment

Synoptic assessment requires learners to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, and in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole sector as relevant to a key task.

On successful completion of this course you can progress to HND programmes in computing, media or games development, or move into employment in a related IT field.

Higher Level Apprenticeships are also an attractive progression route for students who complete this course.