ICT

Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT

Entry Criteria
We would expect students to have studied ICT or Computer Science at Key Stage 4 and to have achieved a Level 5 or Merit (depending on your course) as a minimum. Furthermore, we would expect students to be able to communicate effectively – both verbally and in their written submissions, as demonstrated by a Level 5 or above in English Language GCSE.

Back to subjects

Course Description

This qualification (Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma in IT) is not just about being able to use computers. Employers have told us that they need people who are able to help them develop their systems, or the systems for their customers, use IT as a tool to analyse data and develop applications. Therefore, this qualification is designed to give students a range of specialist knowledge and transferable skills in the context of applied IT, providing them with the opportunity to enter an apprenticeship, move directly into employment, or progress to a related Higher Education course.

Students will take five units, consisting of three mandatory and two optional units. Two of the mandatory units are external examinations and the remaining three units are coursework units.

All students will study the following two mandatory examination units; ‘Fundamentals of IT’ and ‘Global Information’. These units provide learners with an insight into the IT sector, as they investigate the pace of technological change, IT infrastructure, and the flow of information on a global scale, as well as the important legal and security considerations. The ‘Fundamentals of IT’ exam will be taken at the end of Year 12 and the ‘Global Information’ exam will be taken at the end of Year 13.

In addition, students will complete three further coursework units, 1.5 units in each year of Sixth Form. They will then be firmly en-route to achieving a qualification that is relevant to the job role they wish to pursue as well as equipping them with relevant employability skills.

How will I be assessed?

This qualification is equally split between coursework and examination units with one exam (25%) being taken at the end of Year 12 and the remaining exam (25%) at the end of Year 13. The three coursework units will be moderated at various times throughout the two years with the weighting equally split between them, accounting for the remaining 50%.

What could I do next?

Typical job roles within this pathway include; Junior Web Application Developer, Junior Application Developer or Junior Software Analyst.

Students will take the mandatory coursework unit – ‘Application Design’ which will allow them to explore application design and develop a prototype to meet a user requirement.

Students will then take two further units; ‘Games Design and Prototyping’ and ‘Web Design and Prototyping’ which will draw on the knowledge acquired from the mandatory units, and will further enhance students’ knowledge, skills and understanding with respect to the development of specifications and the designing, building or testing of applications.