BTEC Computing National Extended Certificate

Entry Requirements: 5 GCSEs Grade 9- 4 inc English or Maths · ICT/Computing Level 2 BTEC Merit or 4 at GCSE (if studied)

Exam Board: Edexcel

Course content

Equivalent to: One A-Level

What will I be studying? This qualification is designed to support learners who are interested in learning about the computing sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in the computing sector. It is designed to be taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Level.

Career progression

When taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels, this qualification provides an opportunity to progress to higher education to study a BTEC Higher National in a computing discipline, a degree in a computing discipline or a degree where computing-related skills and knowledge may be advantageous, such as Business studies.

This qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses.

As the mandatory content is equivalent in size to one A Level, higher education representatives have confirmed that it is appropriate to allow learners to choose their optional units from a wide range so that they can explore their own choice of areas for further study.

The qualification supports entry to, for example: · BSc (Hons) in Food Science and Technology · BSc (Hons) in Information Management for Business · FdSC in Business Computing · BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance · BSc (Hons) Business Information Systems. Course Content and assessment

Assessment

This course is assessed via a combination of: o internally assessed coursework (IC) o Written exam set by the exam board (E) The units in bold below denotes that are weighted heavier than the other units. Learners must complete the following THREE compulsory units: 1. Principles of Computer Science (E) 2. Fundamentals of Computer Systems (E) 3. IT Systems Security and Encryption (IC) They will then complete the following ONE option units: 4. Computer Games Development (IC)