Course overview

Our HNC is a specialist computing course. It is designed to equip you with the knowledge, understanding and skills required for success in current and future employment in an ever-expanding IT industry. You will establish essential skills in network design, computer architecture, systems, web design and maintenance as well as professional development.

Units will be taught using a variety of teaching and learning styles: formal taught sessions, directed learning, tutor-led discussion and seminars, practical workshops with students working individually and/or in groups according to need and their learning preference.

Class sessions will be complemented by independent, self-directed learning using a Virtual Learning Environment (Moodle).

Full-time study is sixteen hours per week, over two semesters, including tutorial time over one academic year. Part-time study is eight hours per week, over two semesters, including tutorial time over two academic years. It is expected that for every hour spent in the classroom, the equivalent is dedicated to independent, self-directed learning outside contact hours.

The Computing teaching team is made up of highly experienced vocational staff with several years’ experience of teaching both software development and networking at undergraduate level. All team members have relevant teaching qualifications which arm them with the skills to share their first-hand knowledge and expertise with students.

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points or equivalent and the minimum of GCSE English and Maths grade 4 or higher or equivalent

Alternatively, an A-Level pass in an IT related subject or equivalent, T Level Pass (with a D or E on the core) or above or BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in IT. For applicants 21 and over, relevant industrial experience or vendor certification will be taken into account.

Learners are expected to be able to demonstrate English language comprehension at a level equivalent to IELTS 5.5 to be able to study BTEC Higher Nationals.

The College has a commitment to widening participation in Higher Education, and will therefore give careful consideration to prior experiential learning, non-traditional qualifications and qualifications obtained outside of the United Kingdom.

Course Modules

- Professional Practice
- Programming
- Software Development Life Cycles
- Website Design and Development
- Planning a Computing Project
- Database Design and Development
- Networking
- Security

How will I be assessed?

Units are 100% coursework and will be assessed using a variety of methods: reports, seminars, presentations, practical workshops, academic essays, screencasts and portfolios of evidence. Alternative assessment methods may be used where appropriate.

What can I do next

After successful completion of the HNC you could carry on to do complete our HND course. After completing the HND course you could continue to do one more year at university to gain a BSc Honours degree in Computing. The course also provides you with the relevant vocational and technical skills to start work in software development, web development, network engineering or systems administration and we work with many local employers to help students gain employment after finishing the course.