Level 3 Access to HE Diploma (Computing & Digital Technology)

Course Overview

If you are a tech-savvy individual who wants to work in the fast-paced world of computing and digital systems but do not yet meet the entry requirements for higher education, our Access to HE Computing programme will prepare you to continue your studies in Computing and Digital Technologies.

This is a Level 3 Diploma approved by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) for adult learners who are returning to study or who left school without the essential qualifications for undergraduate study. You will study a wide range of topics, including programming, network engineering, cyber security and web animation.

This course is specifically designed to prepare mature students for university level study. In 2022-23, 96.5% of students on our Access diplomas secured offers of university places. This compares with a progression rate of just 55.4% across all Access diploma courses in England and Wales.

The course runs for an academic year and you will be in college three days per week for 32 weeks. You will be attending for 13 hours per week (12 hours of lessons and 1 hour of tutorial). You will also need to allow at least 12 hours per week for private study and assignment completion.

Course Requirements

This course requires you to have achieved GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C/4 or better before enrolling on the Access Diploma.

Please note that for some degree courses you will also need GCSE Science at grade C/4 or better.
In some circumstances, we can accept Functional Skills Numeracy level 2 instead of GCSE Maths.
If you do not meet the entry requirements, do not worry. You can apply for our level 2 pre-Access course which will prepare you for the Access to Higher Education Course.

What you will Learn

On this Access Diploma, you will study modules in Computing and Maths for Computing. In addition, you will complete a module of ungraded Developmental units, which are designed to develop the academic and study skills you need to be a success, not only on the Access Diploma, but also in your future university-level studies

Assessment

Assessments include essays, practical reports, case studies, open or closed-book examinations and verbal, visual or IT-based presentations. All modules will include an element of time-constrained assessment which will contribute towards the final module grade.

Progression

The career opportunities in the computing and digital sector are huge. Cyber-security, Artificial Intelligence, Virtualisation, Cloud Computing, the Internet of Things, and Mobile Computing are just a few of the rapidly expanding technology concepts that will open-up intriguing and diverse employment paths for you in the future.

Roles that this programme will prepare you for include: database analyst, programmer, cyber security professional, network and systems engineer and many others.

Career Options

TThe career opportunities in the computing and digital sector is huge. Virtualisation, cloud computing, the Internet of Things, and mobile computing are just a few of the rapidly expanding technology concepts that will open up intriguing and diverse employment paths for you in the future.

Depending on your future pathways some of the roles that this programme will prepare you for includes: database analyst, programmer, cyber security professional, network and systems engineer and many other opportunities.

Mandatory Units

1. Computing

• Event Driven Programming

• ICT Systems Lifecycle

• Database Principles & Design

• Principles of Computer Programming

• Computer Systems Architecture

• Structured Programming

• Programming Using Objects

• Communities and Sharing on the Word-Wide Web

• Developing Spreadsheet Applications

• Website Design & Development

2. Maths for Computing

• Number Systems and Data Representation

• Matrices

• Coordinate Geometry

• Algorithms, Pseudocode & Trace Tables

• Computer Logic

3. Developmental

• Applying for HE

• Report Writing

• Presentation Skills

• Study Skills

• Using Research Skills