AS and A Levels courses

AS Level - ICT

Duration: Normal daytime attendance.
See current timetable for sessions.

In today's world, where ICT is constantly changing, individuals will increasingly need technological and information literacy skills that include the ability to gather, process and manipulate data. These skills are now as essential as the traditional skills of numeracy and literacy.

The impact of ICT on society is enormous and as the percentage of businesses and households connected to communication networks such as the internet grows, so does the need for individuals who can master and manipulate these new technologies. As well as the rapid development of new technologies that gather, organise and share information, familiar technologies like television, telephone and computers are evolving and being expanded by digitised information, causing a convergence of technologies.

GCE ICT encourages students to become discerning users of ICT. It allows them to develop a broad range of ICT skills, knowledge and understanding. This could form a basis for progression into further learning, including progression from AS to A2, and/or employment.

Entry Requirements

GCSE with a B Grade in ICT. However, this may be waived if the student has an appropriate background qualification or experience.

What you learn

You will learn about the nature of information and data and their role in society and within organisations. You will learn of the legal requirements and constraints placed upon users of such information and data. You will also learn to develop your ICT skills to help in the learning process and to solve problems. The coursework element centres on developing the higher level skills associated with Microsoft Office, especially MS Excel and Access although other applications may be used




The AS specification covers two units.

Unit 1: (G061)

Information, Systems and Applications

Data, information, knowledge and processing

Software and hardware components of an information system

Characteristics of standard applications software and application areas

Spreadsheet concepts

Relational database concepts

Applications software used for presentation and communication of data

The role and impact of ICT ¿ legal, moral and social issues


Unit 2: (G062)

Information: Management and Manipulation

Design

Software development

Testing

Documentation

What next?

You may progress to A2 level.
AS and A2 levels are recognised qualifications for a wide range of courses in Higher Education.

How is the course assessed?

There is one written paper and one piece of coursework. Work in preparation for the written paper will be assessed against the range of AS grades. Work focused on the coursework will be assessed against the published assessment criteria and there will be ample opportunity to improve via the use of these criteria in the formative process.

Unit 1 Written paper based on Module 1
Short answer and structured questions.
2 hours.
60% of the AS Marks

Unit 2 Coursework
Coursework for this unit comprises of a number of structured tasks covering practical aspects of ICT. Each task may address up to three of the four skills within this unit (Design/Software development/Testing/Documentation).
40% of the total AS Marks.

Which campus?

Nuns Corner.