Entry Requirements

Computer Science at grade 4 or higher or BTEC Level 2 DIT  at Merit or higher. 

Exam Board: Pearson / Edexcel

Why Study BTEC Information Technology?

The BTEC Extended Certificate in Information Technology is suitable for students who are interested in learning about the Information Technology sector alongside other fields of study. It allows you to gain an understanding of the use of information technology systems in business. The course is part practical and part academic, and suits students who enjoy technical as well as creative subjects. Students are assessed through a combination of coursework and exam. 

What Topics Will I Study?

You will study four units: Information Technology Systems; Creating Systems to Manage Information; Using Social Media in Business; and Website Development. The first unit is assessed through a written exam and there is a practical controlled assessment for the second unit, but the other two are coursework units.

• You will learn about a huge range of technologies and issues within IT, including the hardware and software (operating systems, utilities and applications) used by businesses. You will consider the uses of networks and the issues that arise from working on networks and online, including legal, ethical and security issues.

• Understanding relational databases plays a large part in this course, including normalisation of data, and the design, creation and testing of databases using relational database management systems. This is a very technical unit.

• You will investigate how businesses use social media, including how to plan, create and publish content, as well as how to gather and analyse data.

• The website development unit will give you a solid understanding of how to design, create (using Dreamweaver) and test a website to meet client requirements, including how to use client-side scripting languages. Although good technical knowledge is required for this unit, it also gives you the opportunity to be very creative.

An Example of the Type of Work Involved

Studying how companies use social networking to grow their business. Creating databases. Designing and creating websites, and producing digital components such as graphics and animations. Giving presentations and organizing meetings. Completing practical tasks and working in teams. 

What Careers or Higher Education Follow from this Subject?

On completion of this course you might decide to study for a degree in computing or information technology, or in a related degree. You could instead begin a training course or go straight into employment in IT. Alternatively, the skills you will develop could lead you into a career in business. If you decide to follow a different path, your IT knowledge and skills will be invaluable in almost any career. 

Other Opportunities Available Whilst Studying this Course

You will have the opportunity to see how IT is used in a business setting.