Computing BTEC
Online Application Selection: National Certificate in Computing (Games, Apps and Encryption) BTEC Level 3
Qualification at End of Year 2: National Extended Certificate in Computing (Games, Apps and Encryption) BTEC Level 3
During Year 1 you will study for the National Certificate, for Year 2 you will progress to the National Extended Certificate.
Exam Board & Specification Code: Pearson; Specification
Course Entry Requirements: 4 in English Language GCSE and 4 in Maths GCSE.
Please make sure that you have understood the overall entry requirements to study at BHASVIC. These are available here and outline the GCSE grades you need to take up one of the Study Programmes at the college.
Length and size of qualification: 2 year single course
Timetable hours: 4.5 hours per week
Assessment method: A combination of written exams and projects
BHASVIC Department: Computing and I.T.
What will I study?
You will develop your programming ability in several languages and learn how to build apps to demonstrate your skills. You will investigate security threats to data and plan & apply techniques to defend against security attacks on IT systems. You will explore how encryption protects data, learn more about how computer systems work, hardware and software, the way components of a system work together & how data in a system is used.
Is this course right for me?
This course is the equivalent of an A level. It is suitable for those with a clear interest in programming and Computing as a subject area. Although it is not a requirement, ideally you will have studied Computer Science at GCSE. It matches well with: Computer Science A level, IT BTEC, Maths A level, Physics A level or related courses in science, economics or business.
Frequently asked questions
Years of experience and analysis of BHASVIC data have shown it doesn't make a difference to the final grade you will achieve.
You don't have to but it will help and it could limit your options of where to study it later at university if you don't. You don't need to take Double Maths though!
You will do lots of coding in both but the BTEC is more specialist and focused on a few large topics, whereas with Computer Science you study a wider-breadth of areas.
At BHASVIC we group girls so that you won't be one of only a few in your class. Each year the number of girls goes up; currently we have two classes in Y12 which are 50:50 girls & boys.
None. If you have some, great, but you don't need any. We have a number of pathways into the Y1 part of the course depending on the experience you come in with.
Where next?
This course provides a strong core study of computer science to enable progression into higher education, with a focus on areas such as cyber-security and programming. It is also a good foundation for degrees where computing-related skills and knowledge may be advantageous, such as business studies, sciences and engineering. Equally, the course supports direct entry into a range of careers in the computing industry. A degree apprenticeship is another path that a number of our current students are pursuing (where you earn a salary and have your university fees paid for).
View our Virtual Open Evening Computer Science, Computing & IT Presentation
ApplyHigher Education – Computing & IT
Last year, 64 BHASVIC students went onto study Computing and IT related degrees at 38 different universities.
Computer Science degrees often combine with other subjects including Maths, Physics, Engineering, Biology, Graphics, Animation. Students can study one or more Computer Science, Computing and IT qualifications at BHASVIC. Popular universities for our students included Leeds, Exeter, Warwick, Bath, Brighton, Manchester, Sussex, UWE and York. 50% of A level Computing students went onto study a Computing related degree.
Should I study Computing or IT at degree level?
Computer science and IT are by no means your only options when choosing a course. Look at the modules as there is a lot of crossover between course content and a really wide variety of degrees to choose from. It’s worth checking whether a degree course is accredited by IT professional bodies, such as the BCS (the British Computer Society) or the IET (Institution of Engineering and Technology). Topics can include: aspects of mathematics, science and engineering, programming, software design, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, cyber security, mobile app development, graphics. Find out whether the universities you are interested in have links with relevant IT employers or there is an option of doing an industrial placement or studying abroad.
There is a huge range of Computing / IT related degrees including:
- Computer science
- Software engineering
- Computer networks
- Artificial intelligence
- Cyber security
- Games development
Entry Requirements
For computing some courses require you to have Maths A level or even Double Maths at the most competitive universities. However, there is such a range of courses available entry requirements can be varied.
Top Universities for Computing/IT
Cambridge, Imperial, Oxford, St Andrews, Warwick
Durham, Southampton, Birmingham, Leeds – all very high student satisfaction scores
UCL, Glasgow, York, Sheffield - all with top graduate prospects
Many of our students choose a combined degree - applications from our students have included:
- Business Computing with Cyber Security
- Computer Science for Games
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Science & Mathematics with Industrial Experience (4 years)
Example entry requirements (please check):
A-Level/BTEC equivalents:
Kent ABB (A level)/DDM (BTEC)
Nott Trent BCC (A level)/DMM (BTEC)
Brighton Met (HND with top up) DD (A level)/MM (BTEC)
Some examples of Maths-related degrees that our BHASVIC students have gone onto study in the past few years are:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Business Computing with Cyber Security
- Business Information Systems
- Computer Character Animation
- Computer Science & Mathematics with Industrial Experience (4 years)
- Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with a Year-in-Industry
- Computer Science (Cyber Security) with a Year in Industry
- Computer Science with Innovation
- Computer Science and Electronics
- Cyber Security and Forensic Computing
- Data Science
- Games Art & Design
- Games Arts
- Information Technology Management
- Robotics
- Software Engineering for Business
From games developer to manager of communications services, studying computing & IT is extremely useful. Possible careers include:
- Applications developer
- Games Designer
- Cyber Security Analyst
- Multimedia Programmer
- Forensic computer analyst
- Systems analyst
- Computational linguist
- Data scientist
- Nano technologist
- Software Engineer
- Web Developer
- Network engineer
- Bioanalysis
- Software tester
Career Prospects
Most businesses rely on computers to function effectively and there are opportunities within the IT departments of major organisations in many sectors. It's also possible to set up your own business providing IT services such as web design and consultancy. 2/5ths of graduates in employment in the UK six months after graduation are working as programmers and software development professionals. Six of the top ten jobs held by graduates are related to computer sciences and include web design and IT operations technician. The UK is very short of programmers and Cyber Security specialists.
Degree Apprenticeships
In recent years a number of our students gained places on higher & degree apprenticeship schemes at companies such as:
- Amazon
- American Express
- Thales
- National Air Traffic Services
- Capgemini
These courses offer a fully-paid higher level qualification, often to degree or Masters level, as well as wage between £13 to £30k per year. They are offered in conjunction with many universities such as Leeds, Queen Marys, Loughborough and Exeter.
Local Market Information
Working in the Cyber Sector – a look at KPMG. For anyone interested in a career in Cyber, the KPMG website is worth a visit. In addition to their current vacancies in Risk Consulting there are some videos on the diverse projects within the industry and the advancement of women at KPMG. The KPMG apprenticeship programme is also open.
Examples of apprenticeships and opportunities include:
- Web Developer Brighton
- Apprentice IT Technician Burgess Hill
- Apprentice Software Developer
We have an excellent careers page and careers advisors who are available for appointments.
You will gain many transferable skills studying Maths & Engineering that will be valued in the workplace including:
Teamwork, IT & Technology, Problem solving, Social Skills, Organisation, Numeracy, Communication, Attention to detail, Creative thinking, Analytics, Project Management
Local Skills
The Local Skills agenda considers job prospects and employment in our local area of Sussex. Many of our students will contribute to the National Skills agenda and go onto find a career in a wide range of sectors. For students in Sussex our local skills are identified as the following sectors:
Engineering and Manufacturing
Construction
Digital (includes IT and Technology)
Visitor and Cultural Industries (includes Hospitality, Cultural & Arts)
Land-based (includes Agriculture and Viticulture)
Health and Care (includes Bio Life Sciences and Pharmaceutical)
Degree choices that match the Local Skills agenda our BHASVIC students went onto study for Digital Skills include:
- Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Games Design (with a Placement Year)
- Computer Games Technology
- Computer Science
- Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence) with a Year-in-Industry
- Computer Science (Cyber Security) with a Year in Industry
- Computer Science (Games Development)
- Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence
- Computer Science and Electronics
- Computer Science and Mathematics with Industrial Placement
- Computer Science for Games
- Computer Science with an Integrated Foundation Year
- Computer Science with Cyber Security
- Computer Science with Industrial Placement
- Computer Systems Engineering with Placement
- Computers with Electronics
- Computing (Games Programming)
- Computing and Management (with placement year)
- Computing Science with a Year in Industry
- Cyber Security and Digital Forensics
- Data Science
- Digital Design
- Digital Games Development
- Games and Multimedia Environments
- Games Art
- Games Art & Design
- Games Development (with Professional Practice Year)
- Information Technology Management
- Mathematics with Computer Science
- Mechatronics and Robotics
- Physics with Scientific Computing
- Software Engineering for Business
- Physics with Scientific Computing
- Sports Technology