| Teaching Institution | Awarding Organisation |
 |  |
Intermediate Awards | HNC |
Approval Date/Review Date | January 2021 |
Mode of Study | Full-time |
Location of Study | London Road Campus |
Course Length | One year Total Guided Learning Hours (GL) – 650 hours |
Course Code | FLR4CHC001 |
UCAS Code | DNYY8 |
QAA Subject Benchmarks | N/A |
HECoS Code | 100367 computing and information technology |
Accreditation Type | BTEC Level 4 HNC |
Accreditation Details | Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate (RQF) in Computing |
Criteria for Admission to the Programme
| A Levels, Level 3 Diploma in Computing or equivalent. Accreditation may be given for prior learning both academic and work-based. |
Minimum/Maximum Numbers | Minimum 6 Maximum 24 Applicants will be advised w/c 23 August 2021 if insufficient numbers have been recruited to make the course viable. |
Course Fee | £7,425 per year Please refer to the published fee policy for information on international fees, when your fees are due and how they will be collected. |
Additional Costs | Books, folders, memory stick, etc. and possible trips. |
Date of Production | December 2020 |
Proposed Revision Date | August 2022 |
This Programme Specification contains an overview of HNC in Computing and how it will be taught and assessed at Shrewsbury Colleges Group. At the end of the document, you will find some more general information on the support and guidance available to you whilst studying with us. This document should be read in conjunction with the Edexcel/BTEC Higher National Specification for this award.
We hope you choose to come and study with us at Shrewsbury College and take advantage of the opportunity to access Higher Education locally in Shropshire.
Welcome from Curriculum Leader:
Gill Cox
I would like to offer a warm welcome to you if you have or are about to enrol to the Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Computing.
The HNC qualification is an ideal opportunity to gain a higher-level qualification that will develop your practical skills and knowledge in a number of specialist areas. As well as gaining vital knowledge that can prepare you for a range of roles in the IT sector it offers the potential for you to continue your studies on the Higher National Diploma and then top-up to a full BSc Degree in Computing at university.
The Computing teaching team have a wealth of experience in both teaching and industry and this adds to what is already a stimulating and interesting course.
I do hope you have an enjoyable experience and achieve your goals whilst studying with us.
Gill Cox
Staff Profiles
Gill Cox Curriculum Leader
Telephone: 01743 342469
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Gill is Curriculum Leader for Access to Higher Education, Accounting, Business, Childcare, Computing & IT, English, Maths, Music Technology & Performing Arts. She has more than 20 years of experience in teaching and training and has worked at the College for 18 years teaching English, Maths, Business Administration, ICT, Computing and Interactive Media. Prior to this, she worked with apprentices at the College and in Learning and Development for the NHS.
Gill is the College Lead for Equality and Diversity, a Learning Coach and an Observation Specialist.
Dean Rowley Course and Subject Tutor
Telephone: 01743 34297
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Dean has taught computer science for over 15 years at college and university. He previously worked in the computing and electronics industry, both in the UK and internationally including CERN in Switzerland. His main computing interests include software engineering, computer systems and hardware, games development and Artificial Intelligence. He holds a Masters degree in computing science.
David Cox Subject Teacher
Telephone: 01743 34271
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.David is an IT and Business lecturer with more than 21 years of teaching experience. His specialisms include networking, graphics and business intelligence. David previously ran his own IT company and was a graphic designer prior to that. He has worked at the College throughout his teaching career.
Hem Brown Subject Teacher
Telephone: 01743 342480
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Hem is an IT lecturer who has over 20 years of experience in Further and Higher Education. Her specialisms include Information Systems, Professional Skills and Database Design. She has worked for Shrewsbury College for over 6 years.
Victoria Thornton HE Study Support Tutor
Telephone: 01743 342553
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Victoria provides support to HE students with their studies, such as assignment planning, presentation skills, reading and taking notes etc as well as with applications for DSA.
Michelle Dawes Higher Education Lead
Telephone: 01743 342439
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.Michelle manages and oversees the quality of Higher Education at Shrewsbury College.
Overview of the Award – what does the course involve?
A key progression path for those completing the Pearson BTEC National Diploma, A Levels or those in a related role in the industry is the Level 4 Higher National Certificate. This is a full-time one year course and can be followed by a second year to gain the Higher National Diploma. On completion students can opt to do a one-year top-up to gain a BSc degree in Computing at University, via a Higher Apprenticeship or they can move directly into industry.
The Pearson BTEC HNC is a nationally recognised qualification that offers career progression and professional development for those already in employment or with an ambition to progress further with their education.
Rationale
The Pearson BTEC Higher National Certificate in Computing (RQF) has been developed to focus on:
- A range of core, optional and specialist units, each with a clear purpose, so there is something to suit each student’s choice of programme and future progression plans
- Fully revised content that is closely aligned with the needs of employers, professional bodies, vendors and higher education for a skilled future workforce
- Learning Outcomes mapped against Professional Body standards and vendor accreditation requirements, where appropriate
- Assessments and projects chosen to help students progress to the next stage (this means some are set by the centre to meet local needs, while others are set by Pearson)
- An approach to demand at level 4 which is aligned with the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ).
Programme Aims
Aims of the programme:
The HNC in Computing will provide learners with a solid foundation in Computing. The work-related programme of study covers the key knowledge, understanding and practical skills required in the computing sector and also offers particular specialist emphasis through the selection of specialist units.
Programme Learning Outcomes
The qualification aims to meet the needs of the rationale by:
- Equipping learners with knowledge, understanding and skills for success in employment across a range of career pathways
- Enabling progression to the HND, an undergraduate degree or further professional/specialist qualifications in a related area
- Enhancing learners’ career progression through developing a more diverse skillset and knowledge base
- Developing specialist knowledge to support a specific career aspiration
- Increasing transferable skills and knowledge, which will enable them to meet career challenges, whether within their current area of employment or through career progression
- Motivating individuals to progress to further professional development through future study or as part of their chosen career.
This programme is distinctive because:
The qualification is delivered at Shrewsbury Colleges Group to offer learners the opportunity to study Higher Education in a local college environment. Learners can share experiences and develop new skills using technology-based practice linked to theory. The course is tailored to meet the needs of learners and the needs of the industry.
On successful completion students should be able to:
- Demonstrate a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of computing
- Communicate accurately and appropriately with the qualities needed for employment
- Utilise a range of transferable skills to ensure effective team working, initiative, organisational competence and problem-solving strategies
- Adapt their approach to computing to meet the needs of industry and change.
Employability
On completion of this course, you will be suitably prepared with the skills required to enter the computing industry in a wide range of roles, including programming and software development, web development, network engineer, hardware/systems architect, database developer, etc.
Graduates of this course have gone on to careers in the computing industry, both in the UK and abroad, in the roles indicated above, but also including teaching and creating their own start-up tech companies. Many of our graduates have continued to University to top-up their Higher National qualification to an Honours Degree.
Programme Structure, Modules and Credits
The Edexcel BTEC Level 4 HNC in Computing is a qualification with a minimum of 120 credits. Part-time is one day per week for two years or full-time is two days per week. All modules must be passed to progress to the HND.
All modules must be passed achieving 120 credits to pass the award.
Example units:
- Programming
- Networking
- Professional Practice
- Database Design & Development
- Security
- Managing a Successful Computing Project (Pearson set unit)
- Website Design & Development
- Computer Systems Architecture
All modules must be passed achieving 120 credits to pass the award. Units may be subject to change.
Teaching and Assessment
How will I be taught?
- Teaching through presentations, group work and research activities, learning through visits, guest speakers, college staff, research and peer experiences. Assessment through peer work, presentations, reports, case studies
- The course has a Moodle site offering support with written work and links to relevant professional bodies and sites. Assignment briefs and supporting documentation are also on Moodle
- Microsoft Teams is used to communicate, and deliver when required, outside of college and to upload useful resources and links
- It is anticipated that the student will complete home study of a minimum of 10 hours per week.
How will I be assessed?
You will be required to complete an assessment for each module of your course.
The purpose of assessment is to ensure that effective learning has taken place of the content of each unit. Evidence of this learning, or the application of the learning, is required for each unit. The assessment of the evidence relates directly to the assessment criteria for each unit, supported by the generic grade descriptors. The process of assessment can aid effective learning by seeking and interpreting evidence to decide the stage that learners have reached in their learning, what further learning needs to take place and how best to do this. Therefore, the process of assessment should be part of the effective planning of teaching and learning by providing opportunities for both the learner and assessor to obtain information about progress towards learning goals.
The assessor and learner must be actively engaged in promoting a common understanding of the assessment criteria and the grade descriptors (what it is they are trying to achieve and how well they achieve it) for further learning to take place. Therefore, learners will receive constructive feedback and guidance about how they may improve by capitalising on their strengths and clear and constructive comments about their weaknesses and how these might be addressed.
Assessment will take place continually throughout sessions however the Summative assessment evidence will be in the form of assignment, written report, practical observation, witness testimony, presentations with written script and film. There are no formal timed examinations for this Award.
What happens if I fail a unit? All students are entitled to one re-submission opportunity if the work they initially submit is judged to have failed. AppealsThe College has formal procedures for appeals if you have grounds for believing that your work has not been assessed fairly. For further information, please speak to your course tutor or the curriculum area leader within seven days of your assessment being returned. Follow the link below for more information. Assessment and Award BoardsAll summative assessment grades are agreed at formal Assessment and Award Boards held at regular intervals throughout the year at the College. Support for students with additional needsWe aim to ensure that individual needs are met before starting a course and during the course of study.
These will be advertised and accessible to all HE students. The HE tutor will also be available to work with and support learners with an identified additional learning need or disability. If you’re a current HE student or prospective HE student with additional learning needs the sooner you inform us the earlier we can discuss and advise you on the support available for you while you study. Alternatively, visit www.gov.uk/disabled-students-allowances-dsas/overview |
Quality improvement: Listening to your viewsWe aim to make your experience both worthwhile and enjoyable and to continually improve the quality of our awards. Therefore, we value your feedback about the quality of our programmes. Student Consultatives will be held every term and a nominated representative from your group will attend these to provide feedback on your experience, please let your Course Tutor know if you would like to become a student representative. An end of course review will also be carried out to obtain your feedback.
ConcernsWe really hope you never have any reason to be dissatisfied with the delivery of your course and/or the support we provide you with here at Shrewsbury Colleges Group, however, we are aware that sometimes things go wrong. If your concerns are affecting the whole of your group please use the Student Consultative meetings to air your concerns and enable us to resolve your complaint, if able. If your concern is of a more personal nature, in the first instance we would always encourage you to talk over your concerns with your Course Tutor or whoever it is that has been providing the service you are unhappy about, often things can be resolved quickly in these circumstances. The HE and Education Lead is also available to chat things over on a one-one basis. If you wish to formalise your complaint you will need to access the guidance in our HE complaints policy. If following your complaint/appeal to the College you feel that our regulations have not been applied properly or procedures followed incorrectly The Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA) can consider whether the decision made by ourselves was fair and reasonable. More information can be found here. Term and Conditions/Policies and ProceduresPlease ensure the Terms and Conditions you are issued with at offer stage are retained for your reference. Policies and procedures to support you during your studies can be found via the link below. During the year it may be necessary to make minor changes to our Terms and Conditions/Policies and Procedures. We will advise you of any such changes once you have accepted an offer with ourselves and update our website accordingly. HE Regulatory InformationRegulatory information can be found via the following link. |
