BTEC IT Level 3
About the course
IT Level 3 is designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications in a range of sectors. This course has been developed to provide preparation for employment in IT, career development opportunities for those already in work, and/or a route into further or higher education. BTEC IT Level 3 will also facilitate progression to the achievement of an NVQ within the workplace and is a natural choice if you are wishing to progress from a level 2 qualification in IT.
Curriculum Intent
Our mission is to ensure students gain a broad range of digital skills to prepare them for the ever evolving digital world.
What you will study
You will study this course over 360 guided learning hours and it is equivalent in size to one A Level. The course consists of 4 units of which 2 are mandatory and 2 are external.
Unit 1 - IT systems
Information technology (IT) systems have a significant role in the world around us and play a part in almost everything we do. Having a sound understanding of how to effectively select and use appropriate IT systems will benefit you personally and professionally.
Unit 2 - Creating systems to manage data
Creating systems to manage data in order to produce information to support many business processes as well as our social lives, relational databases are widely used to manage and process data. From the smallest in-house systems to stock control systems for large online retailers, databases are repositories of information that are a significant part of organisational operating requirements.
Unit 3 - Using social media in business
Social media websites are a popular way for people to communicate and share information with friends and family. People spend a lot of time on social media websites and they give businesses opportunities to interact with people, for example to promote their business, to encourage people to visit their e-commerce site and buy, to provide customer service. You may be familiar with social media for personal use and in this unit you will discover how it can be used in a business context.
Unit 6 - Web design
In this unit, you will review existing websites – commenting on their overall design and effectiveness. You will use scripting languages such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript® and a simple text editor, or rapid application development tools. Finally, you will reflect on the website design and functionality using a testing and review process.
How the course is assessed
BTEC Level 3 Nationals in Information Technology take a unit-by-unit approach and offer a combination of assessment styles. This gives learners the opportunity to showcase their skills and apply their knowledge in an appropriate, work-related context, and provides evidence of what they can do when they apply to enter higher education or employment.
Unit 1 - Information technology systems - 2 hour written exam
Unit 2 - Information systems - 5 hour practical exam
Unit 3 - Social media for business - coursework
Unit 6 - Website development - coursework
Why study BTEC IT Level 3 at Windsor Sixth Form?
Information Technology (IT) involves the use of computers in industry, commerce, the arts and elsewhere. IT includes aspects of IT systems architecture, human factors, project management and the general ability to use computers.
Increasingly businesses are implementing IT strategies to manage and process data both to support many business processes and to deliver new opportunities. IT is a high growth area of the service sector, estimated in the Technology Insights 2012 report to contribute 8% of the UK economy GVA (gross value added), and predicted to generate an additional £47 billion over the next 7 years.
- Specialist teaching - The IT department at Windsor is extremely well resourced with experienced teachers in a variety of specialisms.
- Employability skills - Studying IT gives you an insight into the world of work and increases your employability skills
- Real life learning - The course is applicable to real life, researching and learning about UK based businesses of your choice with exposure to employers where possible.
Other courses that go well with BTEC IT Level 3
This vocational course offers a balance of coursework, controlled assessments and examination which can complement exam-based only courses to aid organisation of workload. Courses that complement this qualification include BTEC Business, sport media studies, or other A Level courses.
What you can do after the course
This course prepares you for entry to further or higher education courses, or for entry into the workplace and apprenticeships.
Where do our students progress to after the course?
The qualification is intended to carry UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as contributing to the admission requirements to a wide range of degree courses, if taken alongside other qualifications as part of a two year programme of learning.
The qualification can be taken as part of a broad study programme, leaving progression options fully open. It can also give context to subjects that would benefit from some IT background. When studied with other level 3 qualifications in complementary or contrasting subjects, such as mathematics, physics, science, arts, business or technology, the qualification provides an opportunity for students to progress into higher education on a diverse range of degree courses, depending on the other subjects studied.
For students wanting to study for an IT related degree, opportunities would include:
- HND in Business, when taken alongside an A level in Business
- BA (Hons) in Computer Arts, when taken alongside A Level Mathematics and Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate in Art and Design
- BSc (Hons) Fashion Buying Management, when taken alongside a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Fashion Clothing and Production
- BSc (Hons) Software Development for Animation, when taken alongside a Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma in Games Design and Development