BTEC Extended Diploma IT

A BTEC National Extended Diploma is a 2-year vocational course which is equivalent to a 3 A level programme. Students will learn about the use and management of IT facilities in a variety of different work-related contexts.

The Course Outline is:
Unit 1: Information Technology Systems (Externally Assessed)
Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information (Externally Assessed)
Unit 3: Using social media in Business
Unit 4: Programming
Unit 5: Data Modelling
Unit 6: Web Development
Unit 8: Computer Games Development
Unit 9: IT Project Management
Unit 11: Cyber Security and Incident Management (Externally Assessed)
Unit 13: Software Testing
Unit 14: IT Service Delivery (Externally Assessed)
Unit 18: Digital Animation
Unit 20: Enterprise in IT

The BTEC National Extended Diploma is assessed using a combination of internal assessments (which are set and marked by teachers) and external assessments (which are set and marked by the Exam board).
Internal assessment (58%)
External assessment (42%)
Examining Board – Pearson

If you have taken an IT course at GCSE you must have achieved at least grade 4, or at least merit in OCR Nationals or BTEC First Diplomas. Learners will also require grade 4 in Maths. This is in addition to standard BTEC entry requirements. All learners are expected to undertake two periods of vocational work experience (one in Year 12 and the second in Year 13).

If you are studying on the BTEC IT course, you will require Microsoft Visual Studio for the programming elements and Microsoft Access for the external units. Although both these software packages would be free to download and use (via your college accounts), they are only available on Windows PC/laptops. It would therefore be of your benefit to have access to a Windows based PC/laptop. For the second year, we will be using Adobe apps such as Dreamweaver and Animate. Although not essential, it would be useful for you to be able to purchase these.

None.

The BTEC National Extended Diploma is recognised by both universities and employers as equivalent to three A levels. It fully meets the requirements for progression to a degree course in IT and related areas such as: digital technology solutions, IT management for business, computer networks security or business computing and entrepreneurship.

On this course you will be expected to undertake a work experience placement in both the first and the second year, the purpose of which is to gather information and insights about the workplace, which can be included in your college assignments. Work placements also help develop your employability skills. By the end of the course, you will have gained relevant skills and have a CV with cover letter along with a LinkedIn account. Joining LinkedIn will offer you career opportunities now and will assist your long-term career aspirations, as your profile will be accessible by thousands of prospective employers. Throughout your time at college, you will use the LinkedIn account to record all of your activities including work experience and any part-time paid employment.