Examination Board: OCR

OCR Cambridge Technical ICT (Level 3) Year 1:  Certificate

Students will study two units in the first year of this course. Unit 1 is entitled Fundamentals of IT, and covers hardware, software, networks, data, communications, business use of IT and cyber-security. This unit is assessed through an examination at the end of the first year (50% of Year 1). Unit 2 is entitled Global Information, and covers data and its use, and how data is stored, analysed, understood and presented. This unit is similarly assessed through an examination at the end of the first year (50% of Year

Year 2:  Extended Certificate

The second year comprises three units.  Unit 3 is entitled Cyber Security, and covers different types of electronic threats, defences and responses. This unit is assessed through an examination at the end of the second year (33% of Year 2). Unit 9 is entitled Product Development, and covers the way in which a product is developed from the analysis stage, through design, implementation/prototyping, testing and evaluation. This unit is assessed through a coursework project (33% of Year 2).  Unit 17 is entitled Internet of Everything, and covers the growth in the Internet of Things (IoT), as well as how suitable products may be identified and proposed for development. This unit is also assessed through a coursework project (33% of Year 2).

The National Extended Certificate is intended as an Applied General qualification which is equivalent in size to one A Level. Students will develop a core of IT knowledge and study areas such as hardware and software in IT systems, managing and processing data to support business and using IT to communicate and share information.

What kinds of students are most suited to the course?

Those who are interested in learning more about IT, developing their practical IT skills and how these can be used to support business. Students should be well organised and have met the Sixth Form entry requirements.

Students need to have access to a computer or laptop, this should have an up to date version of Office on it, and must have Internet access.

What other courses combine successfully with this?

IT complements a number of other subjects. Study of IT develops a range of transferable skills which can be applied to work in other subject areas.

What career or higher education options might this course lead to?

The course will prepare students for higher education in the area of IT, or as a complementary subject for a range of other higher education courses. This course develops transferable skills including; reading technical texts, effective writing, analytical skills, creative development, independent learning, effective researching and presentation skills.

This course also develops employability skills such as: problem-solving, critical thinking, communicating, working collaboratively, negotiating and influencing, self-presentation, self-management, resilience and self-monitoring.