ICT KS5
ICT Sixth form options
BTEC Level 3 Nationals Subsidiary Diploma in IT
2 years, Edexcel, BTEC Level 3 Nationals, QAN 500/9147/5
Subject Leader: Mr C Kilby
1. Why choose?
The telecommunications and IT sector, with its array of existing and constantly evolving technologies, presents a stimulating and challenging working environment. The industry offers a wide range of career opportunities, including networking, software development, project management, programming and telematics.
The study of IT in sixth form allows students to pick up more specialist skills than that of GCSE, ideal for moving into the IT industry and providing skills necessary and relevant for any industry.
Studying ICT works very well alongside many other sixth form courses such as Business studies, Art, Design and Media.
2. Key Features
Students complete 6 units of work over the 2 years. 4 units are complete in the first year and 2 in the second year. The course is 100% coursework and consists of no formal exams.
Each unit presents students with 3 assignments, which are all based around ‘real’ business scenarios.
The BTEC Level 3 Nationals Subsidiary Diploma in IT has the equivalence of one GCE A Level. Students are able to cash in the units completed in the first year as a BTEC Level 3 Nationals Certificate in IT, which is the equivalent to one AS Level qualification.
3. Course outline (units and content)
The course consists of a number of units where students have to complete assignments
Students undertake 6 units of work that covers:
- Unit 1. Communication and Employability Skills for IT
- Unit 2. Computer Systems
- Unit 9. Computer Networks
- Unit 28. Website Production
- Unit 30. Digital Graphics
- Unit 31. Computer Animation
Further resources and lessons are provided on Information systems, Managing Networks, Developing Computer Games, Maintaining Computer Systems, Installing and Upgrading Software and Database Design.
4. Skills to be gained
Students will cover topics such as business working practices, computer hardware & software, animation, image editing, movie production, website production, 3D design, computer networking and more. Students have the opportunity to specialise more in topics that interest them, and build on the skills achieved at GCSE level.
5. Teaching and Learning Methods
Students work to complete 3 coursework assignments for each unit of work. These are both theory and practical based. Students can see all of the work that they need to complete throughout the course. All work is submitted to the teacher online through our department website. Students can get an immediate view on how they are progressing through the course and can move ahead if they wish. All resources and feedback can be viewed from home and we encourage students to push themselves to constantly improve their work to achieve the highest grades.
6. Resources and Facilities
The ICT department has a suite of 3 dedicated ICT rooms, all of which are equipped with PC’s and have interactive whiteboards. Students have access to a bank of digital cameras, voice recorders, games controllers, test computers and digital video cameras, which they can use in their work.
We have the most widely used software, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Visual Studio, Microsoft Virtual PC, Adobe Web & Graphics suites, as well as many free alternatives such as Open Office, Inkscape, GIMP, Blender 3D, Google Sketch up and Freemind.
7. Extra Curricular
All students have the chance to join a number of extra-curricular activities on offer from the ICT department. These are offered under the banner of ‘ICT Projects’. A number of projects are run in many different areas of ICT.
ICT Projects are run with small groups of students, where they can work together, under the guidance of a member of staff, to develop their skills in a particular area.
Students that take part in extracurricular activities have the opportunity to build on skills learnt in class and to improve their coursework.
8. Progression
Employment opportunities
With the international recognition of BTEC courses such as this, you can progress straight into employment. If successful there are a wide variety of potential careers that you can explore, within sectors such as the growing computer games industry, product development, technical support, technical sales, telecommunications and hardware engineering. Jobs that are commonly taken after completion of the qualification are: systems analyst, computer service technician and computer operator.
Further vocational and academic qualifications
The BTEC Level 3 Nationals Subsidiary Diploma in IT has the equivalence of one GCE A Level, and it is possible for you to progress further into higher education, as successful BTEC National qualifications give UCAS points for university applications.
 Sixth form options information sheet 2011.pdf | [ ] | 597 Kb |
