IT
Exploring the knowledge and abilities needed to succeed in the IT and Telecommunications sectors, this Diploma transforms technology-related education for young people. By allowing learners to experience key functions such as project management, IT support, website development and the design of new business solutions, the IT Diploma provides a realistic reflection of the blend of business, technical and interpersonal skills required by today’s successful IT specialists.
The IT Diploma examines how organisations work and the role that technology can play. As well as looking at technological solutions to business needs the Diploma also focuses on how to work with other people to achieve positive results.
Diploma levels
- Foundation Diploma (Level 1) - equivalent on average to 5 GCSEs (600 guided learning hours)
- Higher Diploma (Level 2) - equivalent on average to 7 GCSEs (800 guided learning hours)
- Advanced Diploma (Level 3) - equivalent in terms of UCAS points to 3.5 A levels (1080 guided learning hours)
Diploma components
- Principal Learning for IT
- Generic Learning - including Functional Skills, Personal Learning and Thinking Skills (PLTS), Projects and Work Experience.
- Additional and Specialist Learning (ASL) - A range of employer endorsed study options allowing students to specialise or take up complementary learning.
Principal Learning
Principal Learning develops the knowledge, understanding and skills specific to each Diplomas relevant industry sector
At Foundation level students will:
- examine the impact and contribution of technology to society, organisations and individuals
- explore the use of digital technology to deliver effective communication
- discover how to design, develop and test a simple technology system
- understand multimedia technology and how multimedia products are used to support business objectives and effective communication
At Higher level students will:
- examine the benefits that technological innovation can bring
- explore the differences in companies’ organisational structures and styles and how technology supports them
- explore how individuals and groups communicate and why effective communication is vital for individuals, teams and businesses to succeed in the modern world
- develop skills in addressing business challenges and opportunities
- understand how technology systems are assembled, designed, developed and tested to support specific business needs
- develop an understanding of contemporary digital media and its application for communication and entertainment
- understand the principles of managing and planning a project and how this process is used in business.
At Advanced level students will:
- focus on global business competitiveness and the transformational effects of the internet and mobile communications
- understand and evaluate the differences in companies’ organisational structures and styles, and how technology supports them
- develop their capacity to assess the strengths and weaknesses of a current business situation, and propose technology-based solutions to any problems associated with it
- build skills in the production of technology solutions that solve real business problems
- develop a multimedia product, taking into account the business issues that determine its inception, design and implementation
- be introduced to the principles of project planning and management within systems’ lifecycles and their use in organisations
- understand the principles and the practical aspects of managing technology within the business environment