BTEC Extended Diploma IT
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Course Overview
Qualification: Applied Courses
This course is a BTEC Extended Diploma, equivalent to studying 3 A levels.
- The BTEC Extended Diploma specification uses a combination of assessment styles to give learners confidence they can apply their knowledge to succeed in the workplace – and have the study skills to continue learning on higher education courses and throughout their career.
- The range of vocational assessments – both practical and written – mean students can showcase their learning and achievements to best effect when they take their next step, whether that’s supporting applications to higher education courses or potential employers.
- This course is designed to continue the approach to learning that learners have had at school, if they have studied IT on a vocational programme. Learners will experience a very ‘hands on’, practical course, with the ability to be creative using IT skills, and to apply them in a range of contexts.
- The IT course at Solihull Sixth Form College will offer you a real experience of work.
- We support you in finding work experience in your first and second year of study.
- The course is led by experienced teaching staff, who are experts in their field.
- Additional support will be provided by our technician
- Our course offers a range of IT and computing-based units.
A BTEC National Extended Diploma is a 2-year vocational course which is equivalent to a 3 A level programme. Students will learn about the use and management of IT facilities in a variety of different work-related contexts.
The Course Outline is:
Unit 1: Information Technology Systems (Externally Assessed)
Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information (Externally Assessed)
Unit 3: Using social media in Business
Unit 4: Programming
Unit 5: Data Modelling
Unit 6: Web Development
Unit 8: Computer Games Development
Unit 9: IT Project Management
Unit 11: Cyber Security and Incident Management (Externally Assessed)
Unit 13: Software Testing
Unit 14: IT Service Delivery (Externally Assessed)
Unit 18: Digital Animation
Unit 20: Enterprise in IT
The BTEC National Extended Diploma is assessed using a combination of internal assessments (which are set and marked by teachers) and external assessments (which are set and marked by the Exam board).
Internal assessment (58%)
External assessment (42%)
Examining Board – Pearson
If you have taken an IT course at GCSE you must have achieved at least grade 4, or at least merit in OCR Nationals or BTEC First Diplomas. Learners will also require grade 4 in Maths. This is in addition to standard BTEC entry requirements. All learners are expected to undertake two periods of vocational work experience (one in Year 12 and the second in Year 13).
If you are studying on the BTEC IT course, you will require Microsoft Visual Studio for the programming elements and Microsoft Access for the external units. Although both these software packages would be free to download and use (via your college accounts), they are only available on Windows PC/laptops. It would therefore be of your benefit to have access to a Windows based PC/laptop. For the second year, we will be using Adobe apps such as Dreamweaver and Animate. Although not essential, it would be useful for you to be able to purchase these.
None.
The BTEC National Extended Diploma is recognised by both universities and employers as equivalent to three A levels. It fully meets the requirements for progression to a degree course in IT and related areas such as: digital technology solutions, IT management for business, computer networks security or business computing and entrepreneurship.
On this course you will be expected to undertake a work experience placement in both the first and the second year, the purpose of which is to gather information and insights about the workplace, which can be included in your college assignments. Work placements also help develop your employability skills. By the end of the course, you will have gained relevant skills and have a CV with cover letter along with a LinkedIn account. Joining LinkedIn will offer you career opportunities now and will assist your long-term career aspirations, as your profile will be accessible by thousands of prospective employers. Throughout your time at college, you will use the LinkedIn account to record all of your activities including work experience and any part-time paid employment.
This information is correct for September 2025 entry.
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