This is an ideal choice if you are keen to follow a career in the field of IT and Computing. This course is designed to support your learning about the computing sector alongside other fields of study; providing you with an excellent pathway to university or industry employment.
On this course, you will study a holistic view of technology through learning how to plan, develop and implement digital marketing campaigns for a specified client, as well as learn how data analytics, artificial intelligence and machine learning can lead to huge innovations in the technology sector. You will be able to enhance your problem-solving skills through identifying how data can be analysed for a target audience and gain a solid understanding to learn the key business tools when developing outputs for spreadsheet models which can be used for business decision-making.
Across your two years on the IT: Data Analytics course, you will study the following units:
The course has a unit-based structure, enabling you to learn about the differing areas of technology over a mixture of project-based assessments and external examinations. You will be encouraged to carry out wider research to support your individual assignments and when appropriate, you will engage with group interactions which will develop your interpersonal skills within technology-based situations and contexts.
For this Extended Certificate level, the course is assessed through up to two units of study assessed through external examination (marked by the exam board); and three units of study assessed through NEA coursework assessments (marked by the IT team). This equates to an overall weighting of 60% NEA (non-examined assessment) and 40% external assessment (exam).
The IT: Data Analytics course is recognised by both higher education establishments and key industry areas within computing and technology. Through studying this course, students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to pursue careers within areas such as Data Analytics, Computer Science, Information Technology, Digital Marketing and many more computer-related areas.
This qualification carries A Level equivalent UCAS points which are recognised by higher education providers to meet the entry requirements for many higher education courses.
The course is predominantly taught via the College Intranet and the Google Workspace Suite. There may be some costs for printing, however this will be minimal. There are text books for each of the units studied on the course, which students will be able to purchase.
There are likely to be trips and visits to industry which may incur some expense, however we will endeavour to cover costs where we can. Previous examples of trips and employers, with whom we have worked, include IBM, Disneyland Paris, Unloc, the University of Winchester, University of Bournemouth, Google and many more.
The College has a Student Support Fund for those students who have difficulty meeting these costs.
Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including Mathematics and English Language.