Edexcel BTEC Level 3. Information. Course

Transcription

1 Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Information Course

2 Course Content FIRST Unit YEAR 1: Communication - and Employability Skills for IT Unit 2: Computer Systems Unit 3: Information Systems Unit 8: e-commerce Unit 9: Computer Networks = Edexcel BTEC Diploma in Information Technology equivalent to 1 GCE A LEVEL Unit 10: Communication Technologies = YEAR TWO 6 MORE OPTIONAL UNITS Edexcel BTEC Diploma in Information Technology equivalent to 2 GCE A LEVEL

3 What is a BTEC Qualification? BTEC qualifications are suitable for a wide range of students. They encourage and recognise achievement in students, some of whom may not be getting the most out of traditional academic study. Those who enjoy hands-on, practical work with plenty of real-life situations tend to find stimulation and success through BTEC qualifications. There is no fixed entry point for BTEC. For example, you don t have to have achieved a BTEC First before doing a BTEC National. The school sets its own entrance criteria. A straightforward structure Each BTEC is made up of a number of units. For example, a BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (which is equivalent to 3 A levels) has 18 units. In order to achieve each unit, your projects have to show achievement against a set of outcomes. You will have the option to complete projects either as part of a group or individually, with the option for work placement in many programmes. BTECs are not exam-based qualifications. The projects that you do form the basis of unit results and an overall result. You are able to spread your learning over a number of years, allowing you to build your skills more gradually. Overview of the levels and structure BTEC Level 2 Certificate BTEC Level 2 Extended Certificate BTEC Level 2 Diploma BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma 6 units of study BTEC Level 3 Diploma 12 Units of study BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma 18 units of study Grading that s easy to understand BTEC units are graded individually; each unit is graded Pass, Merit or Distinction, according to how you perform against a set of criteria. Once you have completed all units, Edexcel calculates an overall Pass, Merit or Distinction grade. A distinction is equivalent to an A grade GCSE a Merit is a B and a pass is equivalent to a C grade GCSE

4 Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Certificate 30 credits The 30-credit BTEC Level 3 Certificate offers a specialist qualification that focuses on particular aspects of employment within the appropriate vocational sector. The BTEC Level 3 Certificate is a qualification which can extend a learner s programme of study and give vocational emphasis. The BTEC Level 3 Certificate is broadly equivalent to one GCE AS Level. The BTEC Level 3 Certificate is also suitable for more mature learners, who wish to follow a vocational programme of study as part of their continued professional development or who want to move to a different area of employment. Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma 60 credits The 60-credit BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma extends the specialist work-related focuses from the BTEC Level 3 Certificate and covers the key knowledge and practical skills required in the appropriate vocational sector. The BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma offers greater flexibility and a choice of emphasis through the optional units. It is broadly equivalent to one GCE A Level. The BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma offers an engaging programme for those who are clear about the area of employment that they wish to enter. These learners may wish to extend their programme through the study of general qualifications such as GCE AS Levels, additional specialist learning (for example through another BTEC qualification) or a complementary NVQ. These learning programmes can be developed to allow learners to study related and complementary qualifications without duplication of content. For adult learners the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma can extend their experience of work in a particular sector. It may also be a suitable qualification for those wishing to change career or move into a particular area of employment following a career break. The predecessor qualification to the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma is the Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award accredited onto the National Qualifications Framework, which has the same equivalences, overall size and focus as the revised QCF-accredited qualification. Edexcel BTEC Level 3 Diploma 120 credits

5 The 120-credit BTEC Level 3 Diploma broadens and expands the specialist workrelated focus from the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma. There is potential for the qualification to prepare learners for employment in the appropriate vocational sector and it is suitable for those who have decided that they wish to enter a particular area of work. It is broadly equivalent to two GCE A Levels. Some learners may wish to gain the qualification in order to enter a specialist area of employment or to progress to a Level 3 programme. Other learners may want to extend the specialism they studied on the BTEC Level 3 Certificate or the BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma programme.