BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in IT

: BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in IT

Exam Board: Pearson

Further information available from: Mrs Lees

Course requirements: A GCSE Grade 4 in Mathematics and Grade 4 in English Language or English Literature.

This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction into 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, not necessarily in IT.

Learners 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. This will allow progression to a variety of degrees when combined with other suitable Level 3 qualifications.

The course is made up of 4 units of which 3 are mandatory and 2 are externally assessed.

Three mandatory units:

Unit 1: Information Technology Systems (written examination)

Learners study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations.

Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information

Learners study the design, creation, testing and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information.

Unit 3: Using Social Media in Business.

Learners explore how businesses use social media to promote their products and services.

Learners also implement social media activities in a business to meet requirements.

This qualification includes a choice of optional units, including:

Unit 5: Data Modelling

Learners study how data modelling can be used to solve problems, and they will design and implement a data model to meet client requirements.

Unit 6: Website Development.

Learners investigate website development principles and they design and develop a website using scripting languages.

Course assessment: The course is assessed both internally and externally as well as a written examination for unit 1. These are graded at Pass, Merit, Distinction and Unclassified. There will also be mandatory employer involvement in at least two units.