This course is perfect for students who love technology, enjoy solving problems, and want to build real digital skills for the future. Whether you?re interested in creating apps, understanding data, protecting systems from cyber-attacks, or learning how networks keep the world connected, this course gives you hands-on experience in all these areas. You?ll explore four key pathways:
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Application Development Learn how apps are designed and built from the ground up. You?ll create your own applications, develop user-friendly interfaces, and understand what makes software work smoothly.
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Data Analytics Discover how data powers today?s world. You?ll learn how to collect, interpret, and present data?skills used in everything from business decisions to predicting trends.
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Cyber Security Explore the world of digital safety. Find out how hackers think, how attacks happen, and how to defend systems from threats. You?ll learn about online safety, ethical hacking, and securing digital environments.
- Networks Understand how devices communicate across the internet. You?ll build and troubleshoot networks, learn how information travels, and explore the tech behind Wi-Fi, servers, and cloud systems. If you?re curious, enjoy technology, and want a course that prepares you for exciting careers in the digital world, this is a great place to start.
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What will I study?
The units you will study are likely to include:
Core units:
- Fundamentals of Application Development
- Developing Application Software
- Designing and communicating UX/UI solutions
- Fundamentals of data analytics
- Big data and machine learning
- Spreadsheet data modelling
- Fundamentals of cyber security
- Fundamentals of networks
- Preventing cyber attacks
Specialist units:
- Website Development
- Software Development
- Relational database design
- Data visualisation
- Implementing secure local area networks (LANs)
- Digital forensic investigation
*All units are subject to change and may be withdrawn.
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Who is this course for?
This course is ideal if you have an interest in digital technologies and wish to gain Level 3 qualifications in Application Development, Data Analytics and Cyber Security. This is a two-year course equivalent to 3 A levels.
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How is the course assessed?
- 6 examinations
- 9 assessments completed under supervised conditions
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Your Study Programme
If you are aged 16-18, you will join a Study Programme this could be a vocational or technical qualification. We will make sure you are working at the right level on your core qualification and are challenged to achieve the highest level of qualification you can.
Work experience will be part of your study programme and complement your college study and prepare you for employment. You will also get involved in activities to help you develop life skills and to build your confidence so you can make progress in your career.
If you have chosen to study for a T Level qualification, this will involve college-based theory and practice lessons along with relevant work placement to enable you to gain the knowledge, skills and behaviours that employers are looking for.
Weekly timetables will include tutorial support which may comprise of full group activities or one to one sessions to discuss individual progress or support needs.
All students will continue to improve their maths and English and if you don't have a grade 4 (C) at GCSE, we will work with you towards achieving that goal (subject to specific entry requirements for particular courses).
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Knowledge
You will develop a thorough knowledge and understanding of:
- Coding principles, syntax, and best practices
- What cyber security threats look like, how threats function and the steps that can be taken by individuals and organisations to protect, detect and respond to them
- Principles of data modelling with spreadsheets.
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Skills
You will have the ability to:
- Write, test and debug code
- Plan, design, create, test and review a relational database or spreadsheet design solution that meets the needs of a specific client
- Demonstrate good communication skills, whether face-to-face, on the telephone, in writing or on digital platforms.
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Behaviours
What is required?
- Persistence in debugging and refining code
- Taking responsibility for your own work, accepting feedback in a positive way, using initiative and showing resilience
- Attention to detail to ensure applications meet user needs
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General info
You may be required to go on trips or purchase a kit and uniform to undertake this course. Information about individual items and their associated costs will be sent to you in June/July before you enrol.
Some students may be eligible for support from the Student Bursary Scheme with the costs of coming to college. Applications are available on the college website under Student Support. If you require further assistance or would like to speak with a member of Student Services, please email financial.support@northamptoncollege.ac.uk or call 01604 734333.
If you are applying for financial assistance, please do not purchase any kit items. If your application is successful, the necessary items will be provided to you.
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Progression and Career Opportunities
Successful completion of this course can lead to Higher Education opportunities in computing, IT, cyber security, software engineering. Alternatively the skills you will gain are also extremely relevant for seeking jobs or apprenticeships in IT and Computing areas
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Entry Requirements for new students
4 GCSEs at grade 9-4 including maths and English language
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Admissions Process
We recommend that you attend one of our exciting open events so that you can look around the department, the college and meet the tutors. You are welcome to do this before or after you apply.
These events have proved very successful in ensuring students and their families see the best of what the college has to offer such as our inspirational teaching areas, teachers, library facilities and places to eat.
Once you have applied our experienced Enrolment Team will consider your application carefully and will let you know, by email, if the College would like to make you a conditional offer based on you meeting the specified entry requirements.
If your predicted grades or career aims suggest that an alternative subject area or course level would be more appropriate for you at this stage, we will contact you either by telephone, email or text. If you have told us that you have some additional support needs we will contact you to find out more so that we can help you.
