(Key stage 5)
The key stage 5 curriculum offers the opportunity to mix and balance both the technical and the creative pathways of digital technology. There is capacity to blend units within this course in order to offer students a unique ability to study both sectors therefore leading to a more rounded student leaving the UTC. This flexibility in curriculum choice enables successful progression onto top quality university courses, advanced or higher apprenticeships, or directly into employment.
The Golden Valley Development team (2021) in Cheltenham state that “young people can enjoy long and successful careers in the cyber industry – one of the fastest-growing sectors on the planet – regardless of background or gender.
The timetable features allocated lesson time for Careers Information, Advice and Guidance, Citizenship, Life Skills, Sports and Physical Education, alongside time for independent study and a choice of interesting and varied enrichment activities.
Employer-based projects are embedded into curriculum qualifications to develop business and employability skills.
Overall, this balanced curriculum offer provides a well-rounded education designed to build students’ skills, knowledge, confidence and judgement to equip them for successful progression whatever their interests.
The pathway curriculum is based on carefully selected options from the Level 3 BTEC Information Technology qualification, offering Diploma (a double award) and Extended Diploma ( a treble award) with modules aligned to the future demand for what is a skills shortage in the U.K.
The course includes:
Unit in brief
Learners study the role of computer systems and the implications of their use in personal and professional situations.
Unit introduction
Information technology (IT) systems have a significant role in the world around us and play a part in almost everything we do. Having a sound understanding of how to effectively select and use appropriate IT systems will benefit you personally and professionally. You will explore the relationships between the hardware and software that form an IT system, and the way that systems work individually and together, as well as the relationship between the user and the system. You will examine issues related to the use of IT systems and the impact that they have on organisations and individuals. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme. This unit will give you a fundamental and synoptic understanding of all areas of IT, supporting your progression to an IT-related higher education course.
Unit in brief
Learners study the design, creation, testing and evaluation of a relational database system to manage information.
Unit introduction
In order to produce information to support many business processes as well as our social lives, relational databases are widely used to manage and process data. From the smallest in-house systems to stock control systems for large online retailers, databases are repositories of information that are a significant part of organisational operating requirements. You will examine the structure of data and its origins, and how an efficient data design follows through to an effective and useful database. You will examine a given scenario and develop an effective design solution to produce a database system. You will then test your solution to ensure that it works correctly. Finally, you will evaluate each stage of the development process and the effectiveness of your database solution. To complete the assessment tasks within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme. The skills you gain in this unit support progression to IT-related higher education courses and to employment in a role that requires computing-related expertise.
Unit in brief
Learners explore how businesses use social media to promote their products and services. Learners also implement social media activities in a business to meet requirements.
Unit introduction
Social media websites are a popular way for people to communicate and share information with friends and family. People spend a lot of time on social media websites and they give businesses opportunities to interact with people, for example to promote their business, to encourage people to visit their e-commerce site and buy, to provide customer service. You may be familiar with social media for personal use and in this unit you will discover how it can be used in a business context. You will explore different social media websites, the ways in which they can be used and the potential pitfalls when using them for business purposes. You will develop a plan to use social media strategies for business purposes to achieve specific aims and objectives. You will then implement the plan, developing and posting content and interacting with others. Finally, you will collect data on the business use of social media and review the effectiveness of your efforts. Understanding how to use social media for business purposes is useful for employment in information technology and in a variety of business sectors. Also, social media skills are closely linked with web and mobile applications development. This unit gives you a starting point for progression to roles such as social media specialist, content developer and web developer.
Unit in brief
Learners study the underpinning concepts and implications of programming languages to design, develop and test computer programs.
Unit introduction
Organisations and individuals increasingly depend on the functions and services offered by computing devices such as smartphones, tablets, laptops and personal desktop computers. You make use of computing programs when using an operating system or application programs such as word processing and spreadsheets. Understanding the concepts of high-quality software application design and development is key to ensuring that products are effective. As a programmer, you will need to understand the characteristics of different programming languages in order to select and apply appropriate methodologies to meet a client’s needs. Many organisations and businesses rely on computer programs to help deliver products and services. Organisations and businesses (often known as ‘clients’) work closely with programmers to help design and build computer programs that fulfil their requirements. To complete the assessment task within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme of study and apply programming skills to provide a solution for a new IT-related problem. You will learn about computational thinking skills and the principles of designing and developing computer programs. You will apply computational thinking skills to design, develop, test, refine and review computer programs for a given range of purposes. By developing your analytical, problem-solving and programming skills, this unit will help you to progress to higher education or to employment as a software developer.
Unit in brief
Learners investigate a range of project management principles and methodologies and undertake the management of a ‘live’ or ‘simulated’ IT project from start to finish.
Unit Introduction
Project management is the art of coordinating resources, both human and machine, and solving problems to complete an agreed set of objectives and/or to deliver benefits in a fixed time period, budget and to a specified quality. Ensuring the quality of IT projects in any sector is an essential requirement. In this unit, you will investigate the principles of project management and different project management methodologies, as used in the IT industry. You will deliver an IT project using at least one project management methodology and complete the five main stages of a project. You will initiate the project by researching a problem and using your creative skills to generate a range of solutions, undertaking a feasibility study to select an appropriate solution and outline the requirements of the project. You will undertake the planning, execution, and monitoring and control stages of the project, either through simulation or by undertaking a major project as part of your BTEC course, which could involve the integration of several units. You will close the project by reflecting on the success of the project outcome and your personal performance. The analytical and problem-solving skills and knowledge you gain in this unit will prepare you for entry to higher education to study a range of degrees. The unit will help you when entering an IT apprenticeship or the workplace, for example working alongside a project manager.
Unit in brief
Learners study cyber security threats and vulnerabilities, the methods used to protect systems against threats and how to plan for and manage security incidents.
Unit introduction
Our increasing reliance on computer systems and the data they contain makes us vulnerable to attacks from cyber criminals, and also to the loss of these systems if there is an accident or a natural disaster. As IT system security is improved, more sophisticated methods of attack are developed, and it is important that organisations have robust plans in place to deal with a cyber security incident before it occurs. All IT professionals require a good understanding of the current threats to systems, how to apply appropriate and effective protection methods and how to manage a cyber security incident. In this unit, you will examine the many different types of cyber security attacks, the vulnerabilities that exist in networked systems and the techniques that can be used to defend an organisation’s networked systems. You will investigate the techniques used to assess risks and ways of planning to deal with the results of a cyber security incident and recover systems following an incident. You will examine scenarios, carry out risk assessments and prepare protection plans before protecting networked systems. You will also examine evidence from cyber security incidents and relevant security documentation, using the evidence to make recommendations for improvement. To complete the assessment tasks within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme. As IT systems evolve, there is an increasing need for IT professionals to protect networked systems and the information they contain, while providing enhanced features and benefits for organisations, customers and individuals. This unit will help prepare you for IT courses in higher education and for technician-level roles and apprenticeships in a variety of related areas.
Unit in brief
Learners study the information technology (IT) service requirements of organisations and how to plan a solution for IT service delivery.
Unit introduction
Organisations are increasingly reliant on IT to perform everyday tasks, deliver goals and ensure customers’ needs are met, therefore delivery of high-quality IT services is a must for an organisation to be successful. Effective IT service delivery will use the IT service life cycle to monitor the needs of an organisation, and seek to continually improve success and efficiency through refinement of the IT systems and procedures. An IT service is any use or application of an IT system to support the aims and needs of the organisation. In this unit, you will apply understanding of IT systems and the IT service life cycle to explore the needs of organisations and the IT services that facilitate their success. You will learn how to interpret the needs and goals of organisations to define the IT services required and to analyse related requirements to explore how information, data and IT systems (software and hardware) can be used to facilitate IT service delivery. You will explore a range of organisations and investigate their IT service needs, examining the computer systems that have been set up, used and integrated to deliver IT services to users and customers. You will examine issues related to the use of IT and the implications for organisations and their customers. You will analyse the IT services and requirements of organisations to plan the implementation of the IT service delivery solution. In this unit, you will apply an understanding of IT service delivery and draw on your learning from across your programme to complete assessment tasks. You will analyse the needs of organisations in different contexts and sectors, and design IT service delivery solutions. You will apply analytical skills that will help prepare you for IT courses in higher education and for employment in technician level job roles and apprenticeships in a variety of related areas. To complete the assessment tasks within this unit, you will need to draw on your learning from across your programme.
And in addition. the course offered by the UTC for the extended diploma includes the following (2 of the following only for the Diploma)
Unit in brief
Learners investigate the computer games industry and its impact on technological and social trends. They will design and develop a computer game to meet requirements.
Unit introduction
The computer games industry has been growing year on year and has become a multi-billion pound industry. With the prevalence of computing devices, games consoles and mobile devices, this growth shows no sign of slowing. Many computer games are vast productions involving a range of people such as programmers, graphical artists, animators, level designers, actors and directors. As a games developer, you will analyse the needs of a client and understand the potential and limitations of different gaming solutions. In this unit, you will investigate the technologies used in the computer gaming industry and the implications they have for users, developers and organisations. You will analyse how user needs and preferences impact on game design and how target technologies affect the design and development of a computer game. Finally, you will design, create and review a computer game to meet requirements and reflect on the skills and understanding applied during the design and development process. You will apply analytical skills that would be used by any software developer to investigate the available technologies and current trends in order to design and develop appropriate software solutions. The skills you gain through this unit will benefit you as you progress to employment in the computer gaming industry, for example in computer games developer and software developer roles.
Unit in brief
Learners investigate mobile apps and design and develop an application intended for use on mobile devices.
Unit introduction
Millions of people carry a mobile device that rivals the capability of many desktop computers. These devices offer a broad range of functionality by bringing together many different technologies. To develop high-quality mobile apps you must have an understanding of how they are designed to run specifically on mobile devices and how you can exploit the technologies currently available to ensure an effective final product. In this unit you will investigate mobile apps, how they are used, why they are created, the differences between devices and the implications of creating and using software on mobile devices. You will study the design considerations inherent in mobile apps and general software design. You will design, develop, test and review a mobile app to fulfil a specific set of client requirements. With over a million apps on both Apple App Store™ and Google Play Store™, and the growing popularity of Microsoft Windows® mobile devices, the mobile app development industry is highly competitive and continually expanding. Many organisations use mobile apps to support their operations in one way or another. Mobile app development is an important skill for software developers who wish to retain their competitive edge. This unit will help you to progress to an app development role and gives you a basis for further study of the design and development of mobile apps and services.
Unit in brief
Learners explore systems and services that make up the Internet of Things (IoT) and develop an IoT system or device using off-the-shelf hardware and programming techniques and constructs.
Unit introduction
The Internet of Things (IoT) is referred to as the next industrial revolution and is transforming the way we work, socialise and live our lives. The IoT is connecting together our physical world of everyday ‘things’ and the digital world. It involves a network of ‘things’, for example appliances, vehicles and wearable devices that are embedded with sensors and other electronics to gather, store and analyse data over the internet that meets a need by triggering action(s). For example, vehicle diagnostics involving the location of equipment, service options and the collection of real-time driver and machine data and asset tracking, or remote medical diagnostics of patients involving their historical records being analysed with real-time data so that healthcare professionals can provide accurate diagnosis and treatment. In this unit, you will investigate the applications of different IoT systems and services, including the principles involved and the characteristics of the systems and services. You will design a prototype IoT system or device and develop it using off-the-shelf hardware and suitable programming languages, techniques and constructs. The analytical, problem-solving and practical skills you gain in this unit will prepare you for entry to higher education to study a range of degrees. The unit will help you when entering an IT apprenticeship or the workplace, for example as a junior software developer.
Unit in brief
Learners explore the purpose and characteristics of digital graphics and use software tools to design and create a digital graphic that could be used in other media products.
Unit introduction
Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) digital graphics are used in a variety of ways, from basic elements of a user interface to being included in other media products, such as websites, printed media (such as advertising posters) and computer games. Good planning, production and manipulation of digital content is essential to ensure that digital products are consumed by their intended audience and are fit for purpose. In this unit, you will understand the difference between raster- and vector-based graphics. You will investigate the purpose and characteristics of different 2D and 3D digital graphics. The characteristics you will explore are technical characteristics, including how graphics are created and represented in digital form, and the legal requirements. You will also explore the impact of the technologies used on the usability and accuracy of the digital graphics. You will design and develop 2D and 3D digital graphics for an audience and purpose. To do this you will use specialist software and hardware to develop the graphics that could be included in a larger media product, such as a user interface, a website or a computer game. The visual communication, planning and design skills you gain in this unit will prepare you for entry to higher education to study a range of degrees. The unit will also help you when entering an IT apprenticeship or the workplace.
Unit in brief
Learners explore the purpose and characteristics of digital animations and effects and create an animation, including effects, such as audio, that may be used in other media products.
Unit introduction
Digital animation and effects are used in a variety of ways, from individual digital products to being included as part of other media products. Example applications include content for film, advertising, music videos, websites and computer games. In this unit, you will investigate the purpose, legal requirements and technical characteristics, for example techniques and principles, of different digital animation and effects products. You will explore how graphics are created and the impact of the technologies used on the digital animation and effects products. You will design and develop a digital animation and effects product for an audience and purpose. To do this, you will use specialist software and hardware to develop the digital product that could be included in a larger media product, such as a website or a computer game. The communication, planning and design skills you gain in this unit will prepare you for entry to higher education to study a range of degrees. The employability and entrepreneurial skills will also be useful when entering an IT apprenticeship or the workplace.
Unit in brief
Learners investigate website development principles. They will design and develop a website using scripting languages.
Unit introduction
Increasingly, organisations rely on websites to serve customers and, in some cases, to generate revenue. With millions of web pages being created daily, the need for websites to be engaging, innovative and desirable is important. As a website developer, you must use sophisticated techniques to capture user interest and to ensure that customers are served. The scripting involved in the development of websites has become crucial: website developers need to understand and acquire the necessary skills to find solutions to a variety of scenarios and problems. In this unit, you will review existing websites – commenting on their overall design and effectiveness. You will use scripting languages such as Hypertext Markup Language (HTML), Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) and JavaScript® and a simple text editor, or rapid application development tools. Finally, you will reflect on the website design and functionality using a testing and review process. Many software developers, database experts and systems managers need web-client development skills as an integral part of their overall portfolio of expertise. This unit will prepare you for employment as a website developer or as a website development apprenticeship. The unit will benefit you if you want to go on to higher education to develop your studies.