This qualification aims to increase your knowledge, skills and understanding of coding. The qualification will help you to understand:

  • the stages of the software development lifecycle, software methodologies and how working as a team contributes to effective software delivery
  • the purpose and use of coding standards, coding principles and practices and coding design process
  • how to write and debug interpreted and compiled code, distinguishing the different coding solutions
  • how to fix bugs using appropriate techniques and reflect on how the bug could have been prevented
  • deployment, configuration management and version control systems.

What the course leads to

What courses can I do after this? 

This qualification does not carry any UCAS points but it could provide evidence for a personal statement to enable mature students to enter Higher Education.

What do I need to apply

To do this course you should have... 

To do this course you should have... 

Applicants are encouraged by anyone with a desire to work in Computing and IT. 

Learners are admitted to the programme by application form and formal interview, with a further guidance interview where appropriate. Where necessary, evidence of your determination to succeed may be requested. 

Applicants must have achieved GCSE at grade A* to C (grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) or Level 2 equivalent in English and Maths before the course starts.  The College does offer Functional Skills intensive courses and exam entry for English and Maths.  For those with English as a second or other language, either IELTS 5.5 or successful completion of The College language assessment is required.

We will offer you the opportunity to check your level in these subjects prior to/at interview and support you in identifying how you can improve these skills if necessary.

Course costs

Course Code Start Date Costs 16-18 Costs 19-23 (with concessions) Costs 19+ (no concessions)
BP00709 08/01/2024 N/A £470.00 £470.00

* Please note fees are subject to change.

Costs 

Adult, part_time_day: FREE

This fully-funded course is available to any adult aged 24 and over who wants to achieve their first full level 3 qualification, which is equivalent to an advanced technical certificate or diploma, or two full A levels.

19 to 23 year olds will continue to be eligible for their first full level 3 via the adult education budget, and for any additional qualifications made available through this offer.

Course content

Course Content 

To achieve this qualification you'll need to complete 5 Mandatory units

Unit 01 Coding Requirements and Planning
Unit 02 Understand Coding Design
Unit 03 Implementation of Coding
Unit 04 Software Testing
Unit 05 Understand Deployment, Maintenance and Configuration Management.

There are no optional units.

More info

Start Day/Time 

Starting February 2024 (online)

Approximately 12.5 hours per week + 10 hours private study time per week

Duration 

16 Weeks

Attendance 

Part-time

Level 

Level 3

Qualification Name 

Level 3

Awarding Body 

NCFE

Curriculum Area 

Creative and Digital Industries - Digital & Computing

More about the course 

Venue: Lansdowne.

Contacts:
The College Helpline: 01202 205205
E-mail: enquiries@thecollege.co.uk
Access Co-ordinator: 001202 205394
Course Administrator: 01202 205739

Funding:
Depending on your age and circumstances you may be entitled to receive significant financial help and/or benefits, and in some cases, you may be able to attend the course at no cost to you. For more information please visit   thecollege.co.uk/adult-skills/advanced-learner-loan or call 01202 205660.

There is an online guide that explains qualification levels. You can find it at: thecollege.co.uk/adult-skills/guide-qualifications

Duration 

16 Weeks

Attendance 

Part-time

Level 

Level 3

Qualification Name 

Level 3

Awarding Body 

NCFE