This two-year course (equivalent to 3 A Levels) provides a combination of IT knowledge and practical skills to meet the ever changing technological demands of industry. The programme is enhanced to develop your technical skills in systems support, software development, and networking, plus the additional qualifications of CISCO Certified Network Associate and Microsoft Certified Professional. You will study core units in the first year, and then progress to a system support, networking or software development pathway in the second year.

Factsheet

Who is This Course For?

Those who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in order to go on to higher education or into employment in systems support, networking and software development. This course is equivalent to 3 A Levels.

Entry Requirements

You should have one of the following:

• 4 GCSEs at Grade C or above;
• First Diploma, GNVQ Intermediate in ICT merit; or
• An equivalent Level 2 qualification achieved at merit standard.

You will also be required to take aptitude assessment to establish your suitability for the course. Acceptance onto the course is conditional on meeting the following criteria: entry qualifications, interview, and aptitude assessment.

About the course

Your studies will cover three main areas:

• Systems Support: building, troubleshooting and repairing computer systems; installing, configuring and tuning operating systems; and ICT technical support.
• Software Development: design and development of computer games and other applications (visual programming and databases); using a variety of leading edge technologies: Microsoft .NET VB.NET; web development for server and client side environments using ASP.NET, CSS, JavaScript/VBScript, XHTML, PHP, XML technologies.
• Networking: Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA); Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP) in server operating systems.

Core units include: developing personal and organisational effectiveness, information systems, computer systems, organisational systems security, ICT technical support, IT troubleshooting and repair.

Specialist units include: advanced database skills, client side customisation of web pages, developing computer games, software design and development, server operating systems (Microsoft), web server scripting, visual programming, intermediate switching and routing (CISCO), routers and routing basics (CISCO), WAN technologies (CISCO), principles and uses of computer networks (CISCO).

How will I be assessed?

You will be assessed by means of a portfolio or internal set assignments and external examinations, depending on the unit.

Where next?

Successful completion of this qualification may lead to higher education programmes, enabling you to progress to a degree or HND at university or into employment in the IT industry.

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.