The objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing for England are as follows: ● to equip students with fundamental Computing skills, knowledge and the understanding necessary to be job ready in the field ● to provide education and training for a range of careers in Computing, with specific emphasis on roles in networking, data analysis, cyber security and software development ● to provide opportunities for students to enter or progress in employment in Computing roles or to progress to higher education qualifications such as an Honours degree in Computing or a related area ● to provide insight and understanding into international Computing operations and the opportunities and challenges presented by a globalised marketplace.
For the HNC = for students who have recently been in education, the entry profile is likely to include one of the following. ● A BTEC Level 3 qualification in Computing or strongly related discipline. ● A GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at A* to C (or equivalent) and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent). ● Other related Level 3 qualifications. ● An Access to Higher Education Diploma, awarded by an approved further education institution. ● Related work experience. ● An international equivalent of the above.
The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing for England offers students a broad introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of learning, a unit specialism which is pathway dependent and an optional unit of study; allowing for the acquisition of skills and experience across a range of occupational sectors at Level 4. The Level 4 pathway includes a general pathway and the following specialist pathways:
● Data Analytics
● Network Engineering
● Cyber Security
● Software Engineering
The BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing for England builds underpinning core skills effectively, preparing students for further subject specialisation at Level 5. They will gain a wide range of sector knowledge that is tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios.
Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing for England (General)
Mandatory 1: Programming
Mandatory 2: Networking
Mandatory 3: Professional Practice
Mandatory 4: Database Design & Development
Mandatory 5: Security
Mandatory 6: Planning a Computing Project (Pearson-set)
Mandatory 7: Software Development Lifecycles
Optional Units Level 4 (to choose ONE 15 credit unit):
Unit 11: Strategic Information Systems
Unit 12: Management in the Digital Economy
Unit 13: Website Design & Development
Unit 14: Maths for Computing
Unit 15: Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Intelligent Systems
The course is a classroom based course at Grantham College and is taught for 10 hours per week with an expected 10 hours per week of self study. The HNC is a one year course and equates to 120 credits.
The course is assessed in a variety of ways including practical assessments, written assessments, research projects and presentation work.
All staff delivering the course have subject-specific and level-specific academic qualifications up to Masters level, as well as up-to-date industry experience.
There are no costs other than the course fees.
The Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate provides a solid grounding in Computing at Level 4, vendor-accredited certification and professional body membership. Students can build on these should they decide to continue their studies beyond the Certificate stage. The Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma allows students to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes to degree-level study.
Possible career pathways include:
Network Technician
Computer Systems Analyst
Technical Support Associate
Cyber Security Specialist
