Information Technology (AAQ)
Voc Lvl 3

The outcome of the Department for Educations Qualification Review has been released and confirms that this qualification will be renewed from September 2025. This means that the qualification will now be referred to as an Alternative Academic Qualification (AAQ), with the same level of equivalence to A Levels as the previous vocational qualification. 

Minor changes to the specification will be seen and there will be different weightings to the assessment types across the course.
 

The Extended Certificate is for students who are interested in learning about the Information
Technology sector alongside other fields of study, with a view to moving on to a wide range
progression opportunities such as degree apprenticeships and higher education courses, not
necessarily in Information Technology-related subjects

The qualification has four mandatory units covering the following topics:

  • Information Technology Systems – including Software and Hardware, Legislation, Networking, Cloud Computing, Data Security, Emerging Technology and the Issues Related to IT systems.


(Written Examination worth 33% of course)

  • Website Development – The development tools, techniques and processes used in website development and how to test usability, functionality and fitness for purpose


(Controlled Assessment worth 16.5% of course)

  • Cyber Security and Incident Management – Types of cyber security attacks, the vulnerabilities in networked systems and how to plan and respond to attacks


(Written Examination worth 33% of course)

  • Relational Database Development – Structure of data, data design and database management systems (DBMS).


(Controlled Assessment worth 16.5% of course)

You will be assessed in a variety of ways:

  • In the first year, you will complete an externally set exam in May and a controlled assessment in the Summer Term.
  • In the second year, you will complete an externally set exam in January and a controlled assessment in the Spring Term.
  • Online resources KnowITAllNinja, and Zig-Zag’s E - Revise provides presentations, videos and quizzes for the whole specification;

  • Creative consolidation tasks encouraged throughout all theory and practical units

  • Topical news stories are gathered and shared by students to keep up to date with the ever changing world of IT. IT in the news and real-world examples including multiple projects such as Amazon Fresh, AI debate, and Accessibility Project develop an opportunity for critical thinking. They also warrant deeper understanding and links to multiple topics for example Emerging technologies and the ethics of AI or automated workers, which we direct as mind maps or exam-style questions in both flipped learning and assessments.

  • Elaborate and Extend activities at the end of each topic to encourage deeper understanding.

  • Opportunities to try further challenging tasks throughout practical units.
    Learning techniques help support ATTITUDE with a positive mindset - embracing challenges with a ‘can do’ attitude

The following subjects would be suitable to combine with this qualification,:

• Business • Mathematics • English • Psychology • Art & Design or Graphics • Media • Sport •Criminology • Law

An increasingly popular route for students to take after college has been in the direction of a Degree Apprenticeships which offers a work based route to study and learn to degree level with companies such as Cisco, CGI, Ageas, Barclays Bank, Microsoft, Vodafone and Signify (Philips UK)


Similarly university based degrees such as • BA Business Studies • BSc Information Systems • BSc Computer Science would be typical routes followed into IT specialisms

You can find the prep work for this course at prepwork.farnborough.ac.uk

Exciting tasks investigating Cybersecurity Crimes and Impacts should entice you to read more about this ever changing subject.

Q: What is the difference between BTEC IT and A Level Computer Science

A: Information technology is a BTEC course for students who want to develop their practical
software skills. Assessment is through a combination of both exams and controlled assessments that are held throughout the two years. Both exams have resit opportunities. A Level computer science on the other hand is considered to be a science and is a course for students who enjoy programming and software development practices. A Level computer science has two exams at the end of two years and a piece of coursework worth 20%.

Q:  I haven’t done IT before, is that a problem?
A:
  No, we have a large variety of students some of whom have done IT or computer science at school, but most have not. All of the skills and knowledge you need for this course will be taught from scratch so you will not be disadvantaged. It is recommended that you have access to a device at home so you can complete private study easily and practice the skills that you learn. A PC or MAC is ideal for this.

Q:  Is BTEC IT accepted at Universities?
A: 
 Yes, according to the UniGuide.co.uk, 95% of universities happily accept BTEC students,
including competitive universities from the Russell Group. We have found that the independent learning, organisational and time management skills that are developed in BTEC courses make our students ideal candidates for university.

BTEC IT attracts the same amount of UCAS points as an A level. For example a Distinction star gained after the two year Extended Certificate gains  56 UCAS points, the same as an A Level A*, Distinction gains 48, the same as an A grade etc.

Q:  What does this course lead to in the future?
A:
  Many of our students go onto university or gain degree apprenticeships in IT and business related courses.  But we have found that BTEC IT opens doors to many fields and we have ex-students who have gone into areas as diverse as digital media, marketing,  finance and accounting, games design and programming and many others.

Q:  What combination of subjects goes well with BTEC IT?
A: 
Many IT students also take A level or BTEC business which is a popular combination.  We also have a high number of students who do graphics, photography or media.  IT goes well with pretty much any combination of vocational or A level subjects.

Please see below for careers and labour market information for this course - use the refresh buttons to find out about different courses and careers, and use the left and right arrows to view more detailed information.

Exam Board

Pearson Learn More

Entry Requirements

  • You should have at least a grade 4 in GCSE maths.
  • You should have at least a grade 4 in GCSE English language.
  • Experience of an ICT related course is preferable.
  • To access our vocational courses, students would generally achieve grade 4s or higher in their GCSES.

Year 1

  • Unit 1 – Information Technology Systems
  • Unit 3-Website Design (HTML/CSS & JavaScript)

Year 2

  • Unit 2 – Cybersecurity
  • Unit 4 – Relational Database Design

Employability Skills

  • Learn independently, self-manage and show resilience and adaptability
  • Research actively and methodically
  • Collaborative working, give presentations and be active group members
  • Use critical thinking and approach non-routine problems by applying expert and creative solutions