IT BTEC (AAQ)
The Pearson Level 3 Alternative Academic Qualification BTEC National in Information Technology (Extended Certificate) is designed for post-16 students with an interest in the Digital sector and aiming to progress to higher education as a route to graduate level employment. Equivalent to one A Level in size, it is suitable for students looking to develop their applied knowledge and skills in Information Technology as part of a study programme alongside A Levels
To enhance your experience on the course, we have made links and visit several leading IT businesses and have ex-students who have gained apprenticeships with these organisations visiting the College, including ANS, Barclays, AstraZeneca, MBDA and Fujitsu to name a few.
The qualification has been developed in consultation with higher education representatives and sector experts to ensure students have the knowledge, understanding and skills they need to progress to, and thrive, in higher education. The qualification has four mandatory units covering the following topics:
- Information Technology Systems – Information technology systems, including the relationship between software and hardware, and the issues related to IT systems.
- Cyber Security and Incident Management – Types of cyber security attacks, the vulnerabilities in networked systems and how to plan and respond to attacks.
- Website Development – The development tools, techniques and processes used in website development and how to test usability, functionality and fitness for purpose.
- Relational Database Development – Structure of data, data design and database management systems (DBMS).
Completing this course alongside other chosen Level3 courses can open up opportunities to study IT/ Computing related degrees at various universities. The degrees on offer range from creative IT such as BSc (Hons) Computer Games Technology degree to more technical related degrees such as BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and BSC (Hons) Computer Games Development. It can also contribute towards the points/grades required to attend university to study other degree courses. It can also offer placements in the IT profession both or Technical and Design based IT related professions. A number of our students have achieved Degree Apprenticeships placements in organisations such as Barclays Bank, Fujitsu, MBDA and Thales.
- Annual overseas trip to either San Francisco Trip or Tokyo
- ANS Cloud Hosting, Manchester
- Barclays Bank Technology Centre
- Manchester Metropolitan University (Cyber Security workshop)
- MDBA (missile research)
Related Courses
Skip CoursesComputer Science
Computers and technology are at the heart of almost everything we do. Entertainment, business, transport and education all rely on computers.
Latest From Aquinas
Lower 6th students GCSE Japanese Students at Aquinas celebrated Tanabata, known as the Star Festival, on their last day of term. The celebration is based on an ancient tale of two young people who are very much in love but only allowed to meet each year on the 7th July and only if the skies […]
Aquinas college students and staff are currently undertaking an epic pilgrimage adventure The purpose of the trip is to give our students an opportunity to experience a flavour of two different types of Catholic pilgrimage (Lourdes and the Camino de Santiago) in a way that caters both for Catholics and those who are curious.
Students from Aquinas College recently took part in an inspiring collaboration with the University of Salford as part of the Creative Mentoring Programme — a project designed to nurture creative skills, encourage critical thinking, and offer insight into careers in the creative industries.
Music Technology students took part in a hands-on workshop at Spirit Studios where they learned essential studio skills, including how to tune, mic up, overdub, and record a full drum kit. They explored both classic 1960s techniques and modern recording methods, gaining valuable insight into the evolution of studio practices over time.
