BTEC Higher Nationals Computing and Systems Development

HNC Level 4 / HND Level 5) **Subject to Accreditation 

The new BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing and Systems Development have been accredited onto the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) for first teaching from September 2010. The suites of BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to provide specialist work-related qualifications appropriate to the skills needs of a range of sectors at levels 4 and 5. They have been developed to provide the required knowledge, understanding and skills, in a sector context, necessary to prepare learners for employment and progression and/or to provide career development opportunities for those already in work.

Consequently they provide meaningful, coherent and specifically focused programmes of study for full-time or part-time learners in colleges, Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) and training centres that are flexible enough to allow for the application of knowledge, understanding and skills through a programme of centre-devised assignments and other learner activities.

The development of units with credit values and appropriate levels for the QCF will ensure that BTEC Higher Nationals will be more flexible and allow colleges, training providers and HEIs to deliver specialist learning alongside other non-vocational subjects. They will also contribute to the widening participation agenda initiative by supporting different learning styles.

The BTEC Higher Nationals have been developed to provide a preparation for employment and progression and/or to provide career development opportunities for those already in work. On successful completion of these qualifications, learners will be able to progress into or within employment and/or continue their study in the vocational area. BTEC Higher Nationals are designed to foster specialist work-related learning in colleges and HEIs. As specialist work related qualifications, they inspire higher achievement and encourage progression to  university for final year degree studies or post graduate studies to work within the sector studied. They also form part of a defined progression route towards nationally accredited work-based qualifications, based on the needs of employers, professional bodies and relating to NOS where appropriate.

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• Full - Time 2 Years £1500 per annum 

  
  

• International Students £4,500 per annum

  
  

• Part Time HNC 2 Years £1200 per annum

  
  

Mandatory units

Each BTEC Higher National will have a specified credit value of ‘mandatory’ units that will comprise the key elements of knowledge, skills and understanding defined in its qualification title. The minimum size of the mandatory unit credit will be at least 30 credits out of 120 credits for HNC, and 60 credits out of 240 credits for HND. This value can vary slightly if needed to meet sector specific requirements.

Mandatory units will provide:

• a broad-based introduction to the qualification
  
• the essential components of the qualification
  
• the underpinning learning for the subject area
• the springboard for further specialised study.

Specialist units -  will be used to add breadth and more focused knowledge, skills and understanding.

Specialist units will:

• be more focused around an area of specialisation for a sector-specific fi eld of employment
• build on the fundamentals introduced in the mandatory units
• permit greater depth of learning
  
• permit greater breadth of learning
• provide a choice for centres, and the potential for choice for learners.

It is possible that there will be some circumstances where the units contained in these specific cations will not enable centres to meet a local need.

Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC Diploma in Computing and Systems Development

(Click here to see the Units and Credits)

Edexcel BTEC Level 4 and Level 5 HNC Diploma in Computing and Systems Development

(Click here to see the Units and Credits)

The Association of Business Practitioners (ofqual)

 

Post Graduate Diploma's

• Post Graduate Diploma in Business Computing
  
• Post Graduate Diploma in Information Systems