Information Technology
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
Students at Aquinas College are celebrating an excellent set of results, continuing the college’s longstanding record of success. College principal, Jo Dommett, said ‘following on from our best ever results last year, it’s fantastic to see the class of 2026 do even better. The number of students securing the very highest grades is particularly impressive. […]
All lower sixth biology students were invited to participate in a variety of practical sessions at the University of Salford. Students experienced working in a ‘megalab’ which could accommodate over 140 students. Students were provided with DNA from two different species of protists. They completed practical work amplifying the DNA using a polymerase chain reaction […]
Students, staff and guests came together on Friday 22nd May for the annual Duke of Edinburgh Garden Party, celebrating the achievements of Aquinas students involved in the award programme.
Our Music Technology students recently visited Spirit Studios for a hands-on Drum Recording Workshop, gaining valuable experience in a professional studio environment. Students explored the process of recording live drums, learning about drum tuning and setup, patching signals for recording, and operating professional mixing equipment. A fantastic opportunity to develop technical skills, work with industry-standard […]
