Information Technology BTEC Subsidiary/Extended Diploma

Course code: FTB062

School of Business, Manufacturing & Transport

The Programme

The Subsidiary Diploma is a 24 week course of study that a student can complete by the March of the first year of their course. Successful completion allows the student to progress to the Extended Diploma. The Extended Diploma runs from March of the first year until July of the following year. The complete programme is a two year course. The Subsidiary Diploma is the equivalent of one full A Level and the full Extended Diploma is the equivalent of three full A Levels.
The course covers a wide range of subjects from how a computer works to creating content managed websites. Students typically study a general range of subjects in the first year of the programme including computer systems, graphics, and basic web programming. The second year of the programme builds on the underpinning knowledge from the first year. Also in the second year, students can study games hardware and design.

The Programme Content

Entry Requirements

Five GCSEs at grade C or above, which must include Maths and English, or a Merit in the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in IT or equivalent. Just as important as your formal qualifications is your enthusiasm for IT. You must be willing to develop a good all round knowledge of IT - this includes the ability to prepare accurate reports on your research and work.

Costs

This course can be completed without a home computer, but one would be very useful. A memory stick would also be useful to transport your work to and from home.

Venue

Barnstaple, Main Site

Progression

Successful completion of the course will enable you to progress to:
Employment in the ICT industry as a trainee programmer, trainee web designer, trainee games developer, on an IT helpdesk, working with networks or one of the many other areas of ICT.
The Foundation Degree in Computing. This is offered at Petroc and counts as the first two years of an honours degree course.
A degree course at university.

Length of Study

Subsidiary Diploma, 24 weeks. Extended Diploma, two years.

Academic Year

This course starts in the 2013 / 2014 academic year.