Course Structure

Duration of Course

Each Course lasts two academic years consisting of two 15 week semesters per year, a total of 60 weeks tuition in 4 semesters.
The main intake of students is in September but we adopt a rolling programme so students can start at any time of the year.
The opportunity exists for those students who progress well through the course to finish in June thereby completing only three semesters. This assumes they will complete the full 16 unit programme so saving the cost of one semester. This is know as the fast track programme.

For those starting in September:

The first academic year commences in late September and ends in June the following year. This is the same for the second academic year.

The course is structured around unit deliveries via zoom at specific times arranged by the college to suit the availability of the tutor. In addition, students will be expected to undertake private study and prepare at least two assignments per subject per term.

See the full list of fees & start dates

Duration of Course

Each Course lasts two academic years consisting of two 15 week semesters per year, a total of 60 weeks tuition in 4 semesters.
The main intake of students is in September but we adopt a rolling programme so students can start at any time of the year.
The opportunity exists for those students who progress well through the course to finish in June thereby completing only three semesters. This assumes they will complete the full 16 unit programme so saving the cost of one semester. This is know as the fast track programme.

For those starting in September:
The first academic year commences in late September and ends in June the following year. This is the same for the second academic year.

The course is structured around unit deliveries via zoom at specific times arranged by the college to suit the availability of the tutor. In addition, students will be expected to undertake private study and prepare at least two assignments per subject per term.

See the full list of fees & start dates

Syllabus

The Pearson BTEC HND is equivalent to the first two years of an Honours Degree programme at a UK University. These qualifications are designed to equip students with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in current and future management roles.
The qualification enables to students to apply for the third year of a related business degree at university. 

Duration of course: two years part-time study.
The Higher National Diploma in Computing comprises 8 units at Level 4 and 7 units at Level 5.
The Higher National Certificate in Computing comprises 6 core units and 2 optional units at Level 4.

CORE Units - Level 4

Unit 1: Programming
Unit 2: Networking
Unit 3: Professional Practice
Unit 4: Database Design & Development
Unit 5: Security
Unit 6: Managing a Successful Computing Project

To achieve the Higher National Certificate level 4, students must gain a further 2 option units from the list below.

OPTIONAL Units - Level 4 (each unit = 15 credits)

Computing

Unit 7: Strategic Information Systems
Unit 8: Computer Systems Architecture

Unit 9: Software Development Lifecycles
Unit 10: Website Design & Development
Unit 11: Maths for Computing
Unit 12: Data Analytics
 
 

Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing, students must take the 2 mandatory core units 13 & 14 plus 75 credits. These credits can be taken from the specialist and optional bank. Students can choose only one specialist unit from each specialist grouping. There are a number of pathways listed under their headings below.

Core units - for all pathways

Unit 13: Computing Research Project (Pearson Set) - 30 credits
Unit 14: Business Intelligence - 15 credits

Computing (General Pathway)

It is strongly recommended to choose one unit from each optional groups to deliver a comprehensive general computing qualification.

Computing (Network Engineering)

Specialist Level 5 units- 15 credits each

Unit 15: Transport Network Design
Unit 16: Cloud Computing
Unit 17: Network Security 
Plus 30 credits which can be taken from the Level 5 optional unit bank

Computing (Software Engineering)

Specialist Level 5 units- 15 credits each

Unit 18: Discrete Maths
Unit 19: Data Structures & Algorithms
Unit 20: Advanced Programming
Plus 30 credits which can be taken from the Level 5 optional unit bank

Computing (Data Analytics)

Specialist Level 5 units- 15 credits each

Unit 18: Discrete Maths
Unit 21: Data Mining
Unit 22: Applied Analytical Models
Plus 30 credits which can be taken from the Level 5 optional unit bank

Computing (Security)

Specialist Level 5 units- 15 credits each

Unit 23: Cryptography
Unit 24: Forensics
Unit 25: Information Security Management
Plus 30 credits which can be taken from the Level 5 optional unit bank

Business (Intelligent Systems)

Specialist Level 5 units- 15 credits each

Unit 26: Machine Learning
Unit 27: Artificial Intelligence
Unit 19: Data Structures & Algorithms
Plus 30 credits which can be taken from the Level 5 optional unit bank

Computing (Application Development)

Specialist units - 15 credits each

Unit 28: Prototyping 
Unit 36: Application Program Interfaces
Unit 37: Application Development
Plus 30 credits which can be taken from the Level 5 optional unit bank

OPTIONAL Units - Level 5 (each unit = 15 credits)

Unit 31: Games Engine & Scripting
Unit 32: Game Design Theory 
Unit 33: Analytical Methods 
Unit 34: Systems Analysis & Design
Unit 35: Network Management
Unit 36: Client/Server Computing Systems 
Unit 37: Architecture
Unit 38: Database Management Systems
Unit 39: E-Commerce & Strategy 
Unit 40: User Experience & Interface Design 
Unit 41: Analytical Architecture Design
Unit 42: Risk Analysis & System Testing
Unit 43: Internet of Things
Unit 44: Robotics
Unit 45: Emerging Technologies
Unit 46: Virtual & Augmented Reality Development
Unit 47: Business Intelligence                                                                                                                                  Unit 48: Systems Integrations                                                                                                                              Unit 49: Operating Systems

More option units are available. For full list and specification visit the Pearson website

Course Structure

Relevant external reference points

QAA benchmark standards for Computing undergraduate degree Course Pearson Higher National in Computing Specification – RQF level 5 Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)

British Computer Society (BCS)

The Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA)

Credit value

240 credits (see Course structure)

Course learning outcomes

1. Knowledge and Understanding

Learners will be expected to gain the following knowledge during the programme of study:

·          developing the knowledge, understanding and skills of learners in the field of computing

·          equipping learners with knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment in the computing industry

·          providing opportunities for specialist study relevant to individual vocations and contexts

·          developing the learner’s ability in the computing industry through effective use and combination of the knowledge and skills gained in different parts of the Course

·          developing a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attributes essential for successful performance in working life and thereby enabling earners to make an immediate contribution to employment

2. Skills

Learners will be expected to develop the following skills during the programme of study:

·          the ability to read and use appropriate literature with a full and critical understanding

·          the ability to think independently and solve problems

·          the ability to take responsibility for their own learning and recognise their own learning style

·          obtaining and integrating several lines of subject-specific evidence to formulate and test propositions

·          the ability to understand the need for ethical standards and professional codes of conduct when designing, planning, conducting and reporting an investigations

·          the ability to undertake investigations of computer systems in a responsible, safe and ethical manner

Teaching, Learning and assessment strategies

The aims of the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy is to achieve the following:

·     To educate students who are motivated and self-directed critical thinkers, capable of independent enquiry

·     To provide students with both sound academic knowledge and vocational expertise

·     To foster independent and collaborative learning among students and to encourage lifelong learning leading to enhancing their career potentials

·     To develop and implement approaches to feedback and assessment that maximise learning and student outcomes.

·        To widen participation from students who are mature, from Black and Minority Ethnic Communities, and come from lower socio-economic backgrounds

The generic components of teaching and learning strategy normally involve a variety of approaches and include delivering many of the following:

·          Regular use of formal lecture sessions in all units.

·          Regular assignment workshops and seminars in all units.

·          Regular use of individual and/or team-based projects in all units.

·          Regular use of self-directed and directed reading in all units.

·          Regular use of library resources in all units.

·          Regular use of tutor-and student-led discussion groups via e-learning platform; ICON VLE in all units.

The assessment is criterion-referenced and learners’ are assessed against published learning outcomes and assessment criteria. All units are individually graded as ‘Pass’, ‘Merit’ or ‘Distinction’. To achieve a pass grade for the unit learners must meet the assessment criteria set out in the specifications.