Description
The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing offers students two specialist pathways designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or on to degree-level study. These pathways are linked to Professional Body standards and vendor accredited certification (where appropriate) and can provide professional status and progression to direct employment. The Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma offers the following specialist pathways for students who wish to concentrate on a particular aspect of computing:
- Network Engineering
- Software Engineering
- Data Analytics
- Security
- Intelligent Systems
- Applications Development.
There is also a non-specialist ‘Computing’ pathway, which allows students to complete a Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma without committing to a particular professional specialism. This offers additional flexibility to providers and students.
Holders of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. They will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to perform effectively in their chosen field and will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making.
Modules
| Unit Code | Level | Unit Title | Credit Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| D/615/1618 | 4 | Programming | 15 |
| H/615/1619 | 4 | Networking | 15 |
| Y/615/1620 | 4 | Professional Practice | 15 |
| H/615/1622 | 4 | Database Design & Development | 15 |
| K/615/1623 | 4 | Security | 15 |
| T/615/1625 | 4 | Managing a Successful Computing Project | 15 |
| A/615/1626 | 4 | Strategic Information Systems | 15 |
| D/615/1635 | 4 | Maths for Computing | 15 |
| T/615/1639 | 5 | Computing Research Project | 30 |
| M/615/1641 | 5 | Business Intelligence | 15 |
| Y/615/1648 | 5 | Discrete Maths | 15 |
| D/615/1649 | 5 | Data Structures & Algorithms | 15 |
| Y/615/1651 | 5 | Advanced Programming | 15 |
| F/615/1661 | 5 | Information Security Management | 15 |
| H/615/1670 | 5 | Application Development | 15 |
| D/615/1666 | 5 | Prototyping | 15 |
| M/615/1669 | 5 | Application Program Interfaces | 15 |
| H/615/1670 | 5 | Application Development | 15 |
| D/615/1649 | 5 | Data Structures & Algorithms | 15 |
| F/615/1661 | 5 | Information Security Management | 15 |
Benefits
On successful completion of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma at Level 5, students can develop their careers in the computing sector through:
- Entering employment
- Continuing existing employment
- Linking with the appropriate vendor accredited certificates
- Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Progressing to university.
The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant computing-related courses. Details of entry requirements for BTEC Higher National graduates into degree programmes at institutions in the UK and internationally can be found on the Degree Course Finder website (http://degreecoursefinder.pearson.com/).
Structure
The learner will need to meet the requirements outlined in the table below before Pearson can award the qualification, i.e. achieve the appropriate mandatory and optional units.
| Minimum number of credits that must be achieved | 240 |
| Number of mandatory credits that must be achieved | 180 |
| Number of optional credits that must be achieved | 60 |
| Minimum number of credits that must be achieved at Level 5 | 180 |
Entry Requirements
1 – Age restriction
Minimum: 18
2 – HNC in relevant subject.
3 – APEL / APL
Students already in employment or with relevant previous experience
4 – English Language Competency
Minimum: CEFR B2
PTE Academic = 51 (in all 4 skills) or IELTS = 5.5 (in all 4 skills)