Digital technology

What you will study

The course covers the following areas:

AS Unit 1: Innovation in Digital Technology

• Online written examination: 2 hours

• 20% of qualification (80 marks: 100 UMS).

An assessment (taken on-screen), comprising of a range of question types to assess specification content related to connected digital systems and smart devices, the development of Artificial Intelligence, digital technology development life cycles, user experience and human computer interaction in digital systems development and the functions, purposes and uses of social media by individuals and organisations. 

AS Unit 2: Creative Digital Practices

• Non-exam assessment (NEA): approximately 45 hours, 20% of qualification 

• 80 marks: 100 UMS 

A non-examined assessment focussing on the end to end creation of a game. Candidates will investigate, plan, design, create, test and review a game of their choice 

A level Units (the above plus a further 2 units) 

A2 Unit 3: Connected Systems

• Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes

• 30% of qualification (100 marks: 150 UMS).

An assessment (taken on-screen), comprising of a range of question types to assess specification content related to collecting, storing, analysing and using data, cyber security, and digital technology networks.  

A2 Unit 4: Digital Solutions

• Non-exam assessment (NEA): approximately 45 hours, 30% of qualification 

• 100 marks: 150 UMS 

A non-examined assessment focussing on the creation of a transactional website linked to a server-based RDBMS. Candidates will plan, design, create, develop, review, test and refine a transactional website of their choice. 

Entry requirements

• A minimum of 5 GCSEs Grade A* - C to include English and Maths.

• It is not necessary for students choosing AS/A2 Level Digital Technology to have studied GCSE Digital Technology. However, it is strongly encouraged.  If however, a student has studied GCSE Digital Technology the essential entry level is a grade C. Students without such a qualification will be assessed on suitability by members of the ICT department and will be expected to complete a practical transition project over the summer holidays so show their commitment to studying at a higher level. Previous experience in ICT, such as a grade C or above in GCSE Digital Technology will mean that the A Level course will be far more accessible and so is desirable. 

• The written nature of the exams means that you will need to have a good level of written English. You will need to have a general interest in computers and their applications. 

Course Details

The world is increasingly dominated by the use of Digital Technologies. Many aspects of our daily lives rely on these and the WJEC GCE AS and A level qualification in Digital Technology advances learners’ understanding of the digital technologies that are used by individuals and organisations across the world, including how they have developed and how they continue to change. The qualification enables learners to develop a deep understanding of how innovations in digital technology, and the increasing levels of connectivity between them, impact the lives of those who use them and the wider society. Learners will also develop practical skills in developing both creative digital products and digital solutions to problems faced by organisations, supporting their progression into employment in a career that utilises digital technologies or onto a programme of higher education involving digital technologies and computing. This course will enable learners to develop:

• an understanding of significant past, current and emerging digital technologies

• an understanding of the integrated and connected nature of digital technologies used by individuals and organisations 

• skills in researching and exploring issues before finding and implementing effective solutions to them 

• skills in planning, designing and creating innovative web-based and multimedia content that meets the needs of specific audiences 

• an understanding of legal, social, ethical and professional and environmental impacts of digital technologies on individuals and wider society 

• a knowledge of the systems development life cycle and its iterative and cyclical nature.