What Will I Learn?
The course is studied over two years and includes a combination of coursework and externally assessed units. Students develop practical IT skills alongside the knowledge and understanding needed for progression to university, apprenticeships or employment.
Year 1
In the first year, students build their core knowledge of IT and complete a mixture of coursework and externally assessed units.
Unit 1 – Information Technology Systems – External Assessment
Students explore how computer hardware, software, networks and IT systems are used by individuals and organisations.
Unit 2 – Creating Systems to Manage Information – External Assessment
Students develop database skills and learn how organisations use information systems to store, manage and retrieve data.
Unit 3 – Using Social Media in Business – Coursework
Students investigate how businesses use social media and develop a social media plan to meet business requirements.
Unit 6 – Website Development – Coursework
Students explore website design principles and develop and test their own website.
Year 2
In the second year, students' progress to more specialised areas of IT, including programming, cyber security, project management and games development.
Unit 11 – Cyber Security and Incident Management – External Assessment
Students investigate cyber security threats, vulnerabilities and risks, security protection methods and how organisations respond to cyber security incidents.
Unit 4 – Programming – Coursework
Students explore programming principles and develop their own computer program, applying computational thinking and software development skills.
Unit 8 – Computer Games Development – Coursework
Students investigate the principles of computer game design and develop their own computer game.
Unit 9 – IT Project Management – Coursework
Students learn how IT projects are planned and managed and apply project management techniques to an IT project.
Assessment
Across the two years, students complete a combination of external assessments and internally assessed coursework. This allows students to demonstrate both their theoretical understanding of IT and their ability to apply their knowledge through practical projects.
Regular assessments, coursework deadlines, progress checks, exam preparation and support sessions are used throughout the course to help students achieve their best possible final grade.
How Is the Course Structured and Taught?
The course combines classroom teaching, practical activities, independent work, coursework and externally assessed units.
Lessons include teacher-led explanations, practical computer-based activities, individual and group tasks, exam preparation and opportunities to apply knowledge to realistic IT scenarios.
Students complete a combination of internally assessed coursework and external assessments. Regular progress checks, feedback and support sessions are used throughout the course to help students develop their knowledge and achieve their best possible grade.
What Can the Course Lead To?
The BTEC Level 3 Information Technology course can provide a pathway to university, apprenticeships or employment within the IT and digital sector.
Students may progress to higher education courses in areas such as Computer Science, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Software Development, Games Development, Data Analytics and Business Information Systems.
The course can also support progression towards careers including IT support, software development, cyber security, networking, data analysis, web development, project management and other digital technology roles.
