IT – Software Development and Programming T Level

This course is aimed at learners who wish to develop their programming skills through a course which has an emphasis on real industry experience with the technical content needed to work in the software development industry.

First year assessments come in the form of two exams and a project designed by a panel of top IT firms and assessments experts. In year two, you will do a project in stages throughout the year.

You will work with one of our Industry Placement Liaison Officers to find an industry placement that is right for you and your interests, and to set objectives with you.

On this course you will:

• Learn how to code as part of a team and enhance your programming skills for a variety of professional settings, such as full stack development or app development
• Emphasis on this course is industry experience and practical coding skills for bigger projects, so you are prepared for the software development industry
• Study a core set of underpinning knowledge, concepts and skills
• Learn about the business context and culture as well as key parts of the workplace such as planning, legislation, security, data and digital analysis
• Undertake an industry placement with an employer for a total of 315 hours
• Have access to other exciting opportunities in previous years we have done visits to places such as attending the European Games Expo (EGX), Thorpe Park, EDF Hinckley Point C, and participating guest speaker activities from a range of industry specific speakers
• Work on the development of your English, Maths and Digital skills to the level required occupationally

You will be assessed on the course with an external Employer Set Project and two core unit exams at the end of year 1. In year 2 you will be assessed via a substantial external Occupational Specialism.  The majority of final year assessment is practical and carried out researching, designing and developing a software solution which you then test and evaluate; your qualification is also dependent on the completion of the industry placement hours.

This course is ideal if you enjoy the idea of being involved in the development of software which will solve problems for the businesses you are working with.

Future Steps: This T Level will equip you for progression on to our fantastic Higher Technical Education offering, the Higher National Diploma in Computing, with its separate specialist pathways in Cyber, Software and Networking, but could also lead into Apprenticeship opportunities at Level 3 or Level 4 such as a Software Developer in programming. You could also progress on to university where you could continue your studies in programming, in a variety of languages. Employment opportunities from this T Level could lead into jobs such as a Software Developer in programming.

• Six GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English Language and Maths
• Learners progressing from a Level 2 course will need a Level 2 Diploma or T Level Foundation course with a good Merit profile, along with English Language and Maths GCSE at grade 4 or above
• Learners are expected to have an interest in computers and programming, with a career aim in a computing-related field

The Digital and Data Centre is a £10.3million building which opened in July 2021. Complete with digital learning laboratories, state-of-the-art IT suites and interactive seminar spaces, learners have access to cutting edge equipment to help gear them to move directly into industry or further study.

You will also study and use resources at our Victoria House site on Queen Street.