DIGITAL IT AND COMPUTING

LEVEL 3: EXTENDED CERTIFICATE / EXTENDED DIPLOMA (BTEC)
EXAMINING BOARD: PEARSON

This course will develop your understanding of the technologies used in business and build your employability skills to prepare you for a digital career.

You can select to study either an Extended Certificate or an Extended Diploma:

  • The Extended Certificate is equivalent to one A Level and when combined with subjects, such as Computer Science or Business (Vocational/A Level), can enable progression into careers or higher education courses that require IT knowledge and skills
  • The Extended Diploma is equivalent to three A Levels and carries the same UCAS points tariff, so you will not study additional subjects within your core Study Programme.
 

Extended Certificate

Topics typically include:

  • Information Technology Systems
  • Creating Systems to Manage Information
  • Using Social Media in Business

Extended Diploma

Topics typically include:

  • Information Technology Systems
  • Creating Systems to Manage Information
  • Using Social Media in Business
  • Cyber Security and Incident Management
  • Computer Games Development
  • Programming
  • Digital Animation and Effects
  • Website Design
  • Project Management
  • Digital 2D & 3D Graphics

 

 

 

 

As a minimum, you will need (or equivalent to):

  • GCSE Mathematics grade 4
  • GCSE English Language grade 4
  • plus three more GCSEs at grade 4

For the BTEC Extended Diploma, a Level 2 vocational qualification at grade merit or above can be accepted in place of one GCSE.

Extended Certificate

You complete four units in total.

There is one externally assessed exam, one externally assessed unit and two internally assessed units.

Extended Diploma

You complete 13 units in total.

There is one externally assessed exam, three externally assessed units and nine internally assessed units.

Upon completion of an Extended Certificate, you may be skilled in areas such as website design, database management, and decision-making software.

Whether or not you decide to pursue IT further these skills will make you desirable for a variety of roles.

Extended Diploma students typically follow one of three pathways, going on to university to study, undertaking a sponsored degree, or completing a Higher Apprenticeship.

All pathways typically lead to areas like Cyber Security, Cyber Communications, Practical Computing, Games Development, Data Analysis, Software Development or Web Design.

 

Are vocational qualifications as valuable as A Levels?

Yes, this qualification carries an equal UCAS points tariff to an A Level and universities and employers highly value the practical skills that our students bring.

There is a great deal of rigour applied in the course to ensure you are equipped with the essential skills required for your future.

Our students often let us know how prepared they found themselves for their first job roles.

Can this course be studied alongside Computer Science? 

You can study an extended certificate in Digital IT and Computing alongside Computer Science (and one other subject) if this fits with your future aspirations.