Computing BTEC
Online Application Selection: National Certificate in Computing (Games, Apps and Encryption) BTEC Level 3
Qualification at End of Year 2: National Extended Certificate in Computing (Games, Apps and Encryption) BTEC Level 3
During Year 1 you will study for the National Certificate, for Year 2 you will progress to the National Extended Certificate.
Exam Board & Specification Code: Pearson; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language GCSE and 4 in Maths GCSE.
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: A combination of written exams and projects
BHASVIC Department: Computing and I.T.
What will I study?
You will develop your programming ability in several languages and learn how to build apps to demonstrate your skills. You will investigate security threats to data and plan & apply techniques to defend against security attacks on IT systems. You will explore how encryption protects data, learn more about how computer systems work, hardware and software, the way components of a system work together & how data in a system is used.
Is this course right for me?
This course is the equivalent of an A level. It is suitable for those with a clear interest in programming and Computing as a subject area. Although it is not a requirement, ideally you will have studied Computer Science at GCSE. It matches well with: Computer Science A level, IT BTEC, Maths A level, Physics A level or related courses in science, economics or business.
Frequently asked questions
Years of experience and analysis of BHASVIC data have shown it doesn't make a difference to the final grade you will achieve.
You don't have to but it will help and it could limit your options of where to study it later at university if you don't. You don't need to take Double Maths though!
You will do lots of coding in both but the BTEC is more specialist and focused on a few large topics, whereas with Computer Science you study a wider-breadth of areas.
At BHASVIC we group girls so that you won't be one of only a few in your class. Each year the number of girls goes up; currently we have two classes in Y12 which are 50:50 girls & boys.
None. If you have some, great, but you don't need any. We have a number of pathways into the Y1 part of the course depending on the experience you come in with.
Where next?
This course provides a strong core study of computer science to enable progression into higher education, with a focus on areas such as cyber-security and programming. It is also a good foundation for degrees where computing-related skills and knowledge may be advantageous, such as business studies, sciences and engineering. Equally, the course supports direct entry into a range of careers in the computing industry. A degree apprenticeship is another path that a number of our current students are pursuing (where you earn a salary and have your university fees paid for).
View our Virtual Open Evening Computer Science, Computing & IT Presentation
