This course is designed to teach you IT skills including PC systems, popular office software, digital devices and how these are used in a work context. You will also learn about different IT jobs and the skills and qualities needed for them, evaluating your personal skills, and managing money using budgeting skills.

Factsheet

Who is This Course For?

Students with an interest in ICT and few or no qualifications who would like to explore the possibilities of a career in this field.

Entry Requirements

This course is aimed mainly at 16-18 year olds with GCSE grades E-G or no qualifications. You will have an interview and an initial assessment to make sure the course is right for you.

About the course

The course consists of three core units, two personal skills units and three vocational units:

• Starting work in the IT industry: You will learn about the different IT jobs and the skills and qualities needed for these jobs.
• Working in the industry: You will look at the terms and conditions of working in IT.
• Developing Skills in IT: You will learn how to customise settings on a PC and how to document them.
• Personal Effectiveness: You will evaluate your personal skills to the jobs available involving the use of computers.
• Financial Management: You will learn how to manage your money by developing personal budgeting skills.
• PC Systems: You will learn how a PC system works, the purpose of each piece of equipment, and how to connect the various pieces together and ensure they are in working order.
• IT Applications: You will use a range of popular office packages to create a variety of documents.
• Digital Devices: You will use a range of digital devices and explore the impact of these in a work context.

Additional Opportunities

You may also have the opportunity to visit organisations which use a variety of technical equipment in order to understand the impact of these.

How will I be assessed?

These units will be assessed by external projects set by EdExcel.

• Starting work in the IT industry
• Working in the IT industry

These units will be assessed internally through individual assignments written by the lecturers. Some of the units will have mini assignments which together make up one whole assignment.

• Developing skills in IT
• Financial management
• Personal effectiveness
• PC systems
• IT applications
• Digital devices.

Where next?

When you successfully complete this diploma, you can progress to the Level 2 BTEC Diploma or an equivalent Level 2 course.

How to apply?

We are no longer accepting online applications for courses starting in September 2010. A limited number of places may still be available on courses starting this September. Places will be offered on a first come first served basis. See our Enrolment Information page or call 020 8326 2020 to see if places are still available on the course you wish to study.