IT: App Development Level 3 Extended Certificate (equivalent to 1 A Level)

IT is at the heart of everyday modern life; at work, at home and in our leisure time. From computer graphics and control systems to communications and problem-solving, IT has an ever-increasing role to play and there is a diverse range of career opportunities available.

This course is available to study as an Extended Certificate (60-credit course, equivalent to 1 A Level)

You will study emerging technologies, including the internet of everything, virtual and augmented reality, while learning product development methods used across the IT industry. You will complete a project for a real-world brief, taking your application idea through the full product design cycle from initial specification to user testing. The project replicates how technology products progress from ideas to full development in a business setting.

Completing coursework for each unit means you will develop excellent research, written communication and oral presentation skills. These, along with the teamwork and problem-solving skills you will refine while collaborating on projects, are all highly desired by employers.

All organisations use IT in some way, meaning a wide range of career opportunities are open to you; from financial and economic modelling to computer-aided design and artificial intelligence. Recent leavers have moved on to degrees in Computer Science, Psychology, Business Studies, Accountancy, Nursing, Games Art and Design, Property Finance and Investment and Information Technology. Others have joined the armed forces, gone on to degree-apprenticeships with organisations such as AstraZeneca or become entrepreneurs and started their own business.

Year 1 Modules

Internet of Everything

Global information

Year 2 Modules

Fundamentals of IT

Augmented and Virtual Reality

Product Development

40% for externally assessed units

60% for NEA units (Coursework)

Exam Board: OCR

This course can lead on to a range of careers. IT related options include:

Database Administration

Financial and Economic Modelling

Computer–aided Design

Artificial Intelligence

The course supports many subjects and recent leavers have moved on to degrees in:

Psychology

Business Studies

Accountancy

Nursing

Games Art and Design

Property Finance and Investment

Information Technology with Business Studies

Others have gone on to degree-apprenticeships with organisations such as AstraZeneca.