Level 3 BTEC Foundation Diploma in Information Technology

Course outline

This qualification is designed to support learners who wish to study IT as a one-year, full-time course, or for those wishing to take it alongside another area of complementary or contrasting study as part of a two-year, full-time study programme. It supports progression to higher education if taken as part of a programme of study that includes other appropriate BTEC Nationals or A Levels.

Course details

510 GLH (675 TQT) Equivalent in size to 1.5 A Levels.

6 units of which 4 are mandatory and 2 are external. Mandatory content (76%). External assessment (41%).

Learners must complete and achieve at Near Pass grade or above in all mandatory external units and achieve a Pass or above in all mandatory internal units.

Optional units Learners must complete two optional unit.

Entry requirements

These qualifications are for post-16 learners who want to continue their education through applied learning.

4 GCSE subjects Grade 4 and above including Maths & English

What can it lead to?

When taken alongside other Level 3 qualifications such as A Levels, this qualification gives learners the opportunity to progress to higher education to study a BTEC Higher National in Information Technology, a degree in an information technology discipline or a degree where information technology related skills and knowledge may be advantageous, such as business studies.

This qualification carries UCAS points and is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements for many relevant courses. As the content is equivalent in size to one and a half A Levels, higher education representatives have confirmed that it is appropriate to allow learners to choose their optional units from a wide range so that they can explore their own choice of areas for further study.

The qualification supports entry to, for example:

• HNC in Interactive Media
• FdSC in Business Computing
• HND in Engineering
• BSc (Hons) in Information Management for Business
• BA (Hons) in Accounting and Finance
• BSc (Hons) in Information Management for Business.

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. The qualification, when studied with other Level 3 qualifications, is aimed at progression to higher education but also enables learners to develop knowledge and skills needed for entry-level roles related to IT including vocational apprenticeship roles and trainee/entry-level roles in software development, web/content development, mobile apps design, games design, programming and IT/business analysis support.

Who the course is aimed at

This qualification is designed to support learners who wish to study IT as a one-year, full-time course, or for those wishing to take it alongside another area of complementary or contrasting study as part of a two-year, full-time study programme.

Course content

Learners will study four mandatory units:

• Unit 1: Information Technology Systems
• Unit 2: Creating Systems to Manage Information
• Unit 3: Using Social Media in Business
• Unit 4: Programming

This qualification includes a choice of 2 optional units:

• Unit 5: Data Modelling
• Unit 6: Website Development
• Unit 7: Mobile Apps Development
• Unit 8: Computer Games Development.

How will you be assessed?

Combination of Externally assessed exams & Internally assessed coursework based units

1. Information Technology Systems 120 (Mandatory – Externally Assessed Exam Unit)

2. Creating Systems to Manage Information 90 (Mandatory – Externally Assessed Exam Unit)

3. Using Social Media in Business 90 M (Mandatory – Internally Assessed Unit)

4. Programming -90 M (Mandatory – Internally Assessed Unit)
5. Data Modelling 60 (Internally Assessed Unit-Optional)
6. Website Development 60 (Internally Assessed Unit-Optional)

Is there an interview?

Yes

Equipment Required?

There are no specific resource requirements for this qualification.