Digital Technologies for England - Software Development and Programming

Although the 31st January application date has passed, we are still accepting applications for this course

The purpose of Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals is to develop students as independent-thinking professionals who can meet the demands of employers and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualifications aim to widen access to higher education and improve the career prospects of those who take them.

The Level 4 modules lay the foundation of learning by providing a broad introduction to digital technologies and to a range of digital technology specialist functions. This develops and strengthens core skills, while preparing students to study specialist subjects at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility.

Students will gain a wide range of knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop vocational behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for a competence) and transferable skills. Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in higher education and the workplace.

The Level 5 units s give students the opportunity to specialise in a digital-technology relatedoccupational area and to progress to degree-level study. The units prepare students to move on to specific areas of digital technologies at Level 6 or to enter employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require personal responsibility and decision making.

Students will be able to develop and apply their own ideas to their studies, to deal with uncertainty and complexity, to explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation and use both theory and practice in a wide range of digital technology situations.

After studying a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies students will have a sound understanding of the principles in their area of specialist study and will know how to apply them.

The course requires 240 credits, comprising 8 units (15 credits each) at Level 4 AND 8 units (15 credits each) at Level 5:

Level 4:
Unit 1: Professional Practice in the Digital Economy
Unit 2: Innovation & Digital Transformation
Unit 3: Cyber Security
Unit 4: Programming
Unit 5: Big Data & Visualisation
Unit 6: Networking in the Cloud
Unit 10: Database Design & Development
Unit 11: Software Development Lifecycles

Level 5:
Unit 19: Business Intelligence
Unit 20: Internet of Things
Unit 21: Emerging Technologies
Unit 26: Data Structures & Algorithms
Unit 27: Advanced Programming
Unit 28: Risk Analysis and Systems Testing
Plus a further 2 modules chosen by the course team

To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:

• Course does not award QTS