Key Facts

Apps development and Cyber security - BTEC L3 National Foundation Diploma

Achieve a National Foundation Diploma in your first year of study then top up to a National Foundation Extended Diploma in the second year. The National Foundation Extended Diploma gives you much more detail on the subject - it's the same as three A-levels and is a great route into university. If you already have National Foundation Diploma from another college, you can choose to top up to the National Foundation Extended Diploma with just one year of study.

  • Entry Requirements


    We will invite you to a Meet the Tutor event where you will receive information, advice, and guidance about the course you have applied for. This will be an opportunity for you to gain valuable information about the course and give you the opportunity to ask any questions you may have.

    You will provide a copy of your last school report and / or a reference from an employer or relevant professional other this will include attendance. This is to ensure we can support to be able to achieve well on the course. Applicants with 85% or below attendance will have been deemed not to have met this criteria. All applicants are given an opportunity to discuss any evidence- based mitigating circumstances that may have affected the reference / school report.

    For admission on to the Extended Certificate or Diploma pathway (2x A-level equivalent over two years)

    4 x GCSE's at C/4 or above, or a Level 2 Certificate / Extended Certificate or above, at Merit or above, in a relevant subject.

    You will have gained either English and/or maths at GCSE 4/C or above or L2 Functional skills.

    For admission on to the National Foundation Diploma / Extended Diploma pathway (3x A-level equivalent over two years)

    4 x GCSE's at C/4 or above, or a Level 2 Certificate / Extended Certificate or above, at Merit or above, in a relevant subject. Including English and maths GSCE at C/4 or above or Functional skills Level 2 in English and maths.

    We are firmly committed to finding the right course for you to ensure you can flourish. Talk to us today if you have any concerns about the application process, we are here to help take you to the next level.

  • Course Content


    This challenging course includes: Information Technology Systems Creating Systems to Manage Information Using Social Media in Business Programming IT Project Management Cyber Security and Incident Management IT Service Delivery

  • Progression Next Steps


    From the 90-credit diploma, move up to the extended diploma. From the extended diploma, you could go on to study computing at university level. Some students choose to specialise in security, networking or software development while others join mainstream computer science courses.

    There are lots of opportunities available to you to progress across the South Thames Colleges Group and into the world beyond education.

    During your time with us you will have access to a dedicated team of careers and education advisors who will help you as you take the next steps towards achieving your goals.

  • Course Structure


    This practical, work-related qualification will prepare you for an IT career path or for studying computer science at university level. You'll work with industry-standard hardware and software to design and construct the systems that underpin modern business processes using our specialist labs. Visiting speakers, who are experts in the field, will share their experience and give you up-to-date information on subjects such as web analytics and building an effective security culture. We encourage and support you to enter WorldSkills competitions in web development and networking technologies. Our students often have the chance to work with local communities on website projects. We're a member of the CISCO community which gives us the chance to deliver CISCO units as part of your course. We also have an arrangement with Microsoft DreamSpark so you'll be able to download MS programming and operating systems software for free.

  • Assessment Details


    You'll be assessed throughout the year through coursework and exams