BTEC National Extended Certificate in Information Technology

Board:  Pearson

Course Entry Requirements:

Four GCSEs at grade 4 and above

General Course Description:

This qualification is designed for learners who are interested in an introduction to the study of creating IT systems to manage and share information, alongside other fields of study, with a view to progressing to a wide range of higher education courses, not necessarily in IT.  It is equivalent in size to one A Level.  Learners will develop a common core of IT knowledge and study areas such as the relationship between hardware and software that form an IT system, managing and processing data to support business and using IT to communicate and share information.

There are 4 units, of which 3 are mandatory (students all over the country must cover the same content).  There is also one optional unit (which means the unit must be completed, but the choice of unit is up to the institution).  Just over half of the content will be externally assessed (58%) with the rest being internally assessed before being sent off for moderation.

The mandatory units are:

1 - Information Technology Systems

2 - Creating Systems to Manage Information

3 - Using Social Media in Business

The optional units are:

5 - Data Modelling

6 - Website Development

The school will choose which option it will deliver and all pupils will then undertake the same chosen unit. It is likely that the school will select the Website Development unit.

Career Pathways

When taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications, including BTEC Higher Nationals or A Levels in complementary or contrasting subjects, such as mathematics, physics, science, arts or technology, the qualification gives learners the opportunity to progress to a degree in an information technology discipline or a degree where information technology related skills and knowledge may be advantageous.

This qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant courses. The qualification supports entry to, for example:

• HND in Business

• BA (Hons) in Computer Arts

• BSc (Hons) in Fashion Buying Management

• BSc (Hons) in Software Development for Animation

• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance.

Some university courses may require the achievement of specific units and learners should always check the entry requirements for degree programmes with specific higher education providers.