Check out LeytonTVApplied ICT : AS Level
Information Technology: AS and A2 Level
ICT Practitioners: BTEC First Diploma
IT Practitioners (Software Development): BTEC National Certificate/Diploma
This course provides an attractive alternative to the traditional AS level in ICT. All work is assessed through practical work and not by the usual end-of-year exams. The fundamental philosophy of this specification is that, in order to understand the nature of information and communication technology, you must actively experience the information technology environment. In order to enable you to achieve this, you will be provided with experience of the real world in your studies.
Course details The course consists of three units: ICT and Society, ICT and Organisations, Data Handling.
How is it assessed? One unit is assessed by means of a set of activities provided by the exam board. You will be given unlimited investigation time for this and then a set period of time to log your results. The other two units are assessed by your teachers who mark your portfolio of work.
Course duration One year at AS level.
What do I need to study this subject? You should have five GCSE grades A*-C including A*-C in Maths, English Language and Science. We expect you to have studied either Computing or Information Technology in secondary school. It is probable that you will have demonstrated suitable A level potential by achieving some success at GCSE or equivalent qualification level.
Where can this lead me? This specification provides an excellent starting point for those students who wish to gain employment in the IT industry or those who wish to pursue ICT at degree level.
What are the enrichment opportunities? Every opportunity will be given for you to experience ICT in the real world with visits and trips.
Students who take this course are expected to develop a wide range of ICT skills together with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of ICT. Candidates are encouraged to become discerning users of ICT.
Course details AS topics include: data, information, knowledge and processing; software and hardware components of an information system; characteristics of standard applications software and application areas; spreadsheet concepts; relational database concepts; applications software used for presentation and communication of data; the role and impact of ICT – legal, moral and social issues.
A2 topics include: the systems cycle; designing computer-based information systems; networks and communication; applications of ICT; implementing computer-based information systems and implications of ICT.
How is it assessed? At AS level, there is a two hour written exam which is marked by OCR and a practical coursework module worth 40% of the marks based on a group of tasks set by OCR. For A2 there is a written paper of two hours and a project. Both AS and A2 projects are marked by the teacher and moderated by OCR.
Course duration One year at AS level. One year at A2 level.
What do I need to study this subject? You should have five GCSE grades A*-C including A*-C in Maths, English Language and Science. We expect you to have studied either Computing or Information Technology in secondary school. It is probable that you will have demonstrated suitable A level potential by achieving some success at GCSE or equivalent qualification level.
Where can this lead me? This new specification provides the ideal foundation for those students who wish to pursue ICT at degree level or as a career.
What are the enrichment opportunities? The College has partnerships with Queen Mary University and Westminster University. ICT students will be encouraged to take part in taster days, competitions and other trips and activities that are on offer.
The BTEC First Diploma is a practical, work-related course. You learn by completing assignments across eight different units. The course is equivalent to four GCSE grades A*-C.
Course details The course introduces key concepts of data presentation and systems, and progresses through modules on web design and software development, databases and spreadsheets, mobile communication technology and security.
How is it assessed? All the units are assessed by written assignments. For each unit you will be given three to four assignments, each of which you will have around four weeks to complete.
Course duration One year full-time.
What do I need to study this subject? You should have five GCSE grades A*-D or a Merit in the BTEC Introductory Diploma IT@Work course.
Where can this lead me? Students may progress to the BTEC National IT Practitioners course. Some students choose to study the BTEC National Certificate in Business course at LSC. Alternatively, students can look for employment in the IT industry.
What are the enrichment opportunities? Students on this course have been on numerous outdoor visits to places including: Kingswood Adventure Centre in Norfolk, Stubbers Adventure Park and Thorpe Park, and activities such as abseiling, quad biking, sailing, archery and rifle shooting.
This is a two-year, level 3 course for students interested in the IT industry and programming in particular. The certificate is equivalent to two A levels. The diploma is equivalent to three A levels.
Course details The certificate course consists of four core units detailing the underlying concepts of software development, and eight specialist units for the more advanced skills including: databases, spreadsheets, website production, computer game development, digital graphics and computer animation. The Diploma course requires a further six units making a total of eighteen units in all.
How is it assessed? The assignments are marked internally and you are given feedback for each unit. You must complete all criteria at each level to gain the full grade.
Course duration Two years full-time.
What do I need to study this subject? You should have five GCSE grades A*-C and at least D in Maths and English. Students wishing to progress on to BTEC IT courses from other vocational courses must have a grade D or above in GCSE Mathematics and English.
Where can this lead me? The BTEC National Certificate/Diploma is an excellent course for students wishing to pursue a career in computing, such as hardware testing and design, systems analysis, web design or software engineering. Students have the option of progressing to degrees in computer-related courses at university.
What are the enrichment opportunities? The National course is involved with the Comenius Project. This gives students the opportunity to travel to Germany or Hungary and to meet overseas students when they visit London.
