HNC Computing for England

The HNC Computing for England offers students a broad introduction to the subject area through studying a range of units. The course covers theoretical concepts and vocational skills that are required in the IT industry, and has been developed to equip learners with the specialist knowledge and skills to make them competitive and employable in the job market. This is a Level 4 qualification, which is broadly equivalent to the first year of a ‘traditional’ university degree.

This course is available on a full-time and a part-time basis and is taught in-person at our Yeovil College campus.

The full-time course is studied over 1 academic year, and students are typically timetabled for two days per week. The part-time course is studied over 2 academic years, and students are typically timetabled for one day per week. For part-time students, we offer a February intake, alongside the traditional September start date. Applicants who wish to study on a part-time basis and commence their studies in February may enquire directly to the University Centre about the options and specific start dates available.

Higher National Certificate in Computing for England, awarded by Pearson, and regulated by the Office for Students.

Upon successful completion, students would be eligible to apply for further study, for example ‘topping-up’ their qualification to a HND Computing for England. Successfully completing the HND would then allow students to progress into a full BSc (Hons) top-up degree in Computing.

Alternatively, students could seek employment in a relevant role.

You will study a range of units that will develop your specialist knowledge and skills. All modules are worth 15 credits, and modules currently offered include:

• Programming
• Networking
• Professional Practice
• Database Design & Development
• Security
• Planning a Computing Project (Pearson-set)
• Software Development Lifecycles
• Website Design & Development

Alongside developing a range of subject-specific skills, this course also gives you the opportunity to develop important transferable skills such as critical analysis, academic writing, time management, and communication.

Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, in response to student or stakeholder feedback, or as a result of regulatory body requirements. However, no significant changes to modules would be implemented without student consultation and feedback. Enrolled students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in their course handbook.

The course is taught by well qualified lecturers who are dedicated to ensuring student success through effective curriculum delivery and high-quality pastoral support. The team includes staff with relevant academic qualifications and sector expertise.

Learning will be achieved through a combination of tutor-led sessions, lectures, seminars, group discussions and research, visiting speakers, practical activities and online materials via VLE. Learners also have additional support sessions with their personal tutor. As with all higher education programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development, and should therefore expect to spend time studying with independence outside of lectures. Time spent studying independently may include reading journal articles and relevant books, undertaking research, and completing assignments by set deadlines.

We are a Cisco Academy, Microsoft Academy, Juniper Academy and Unity Academy. We use our academy status to enrich the curriculum by injecting vendor qualifications into our programme delivery. Students are encouraged to complete industry-recognised vendor certifications during their programme of study (e.g. Juniper JNCIA, Cisco Security, Cisco CCNA, Microsoft Azure, MTA, MCSA etc.).

A typical week for a full-time student has around 13 hours of contact time in taught sessions, plus additional 1:1 support available by student request. As with all higher education programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development, and should therefore expect to spend time studying with independence outside of lectures. Time spent studying independently may include reading journal articles and relevant books, undertaking research, and completing assignments by set deadlines.

As a rough guide, between timetabled sessions and independent work a student should expect to spend around 10 hours studying for each credit they undertake. A full-time student will typically undertake 120 credits per academic year.

Part-time students should expect to spend a proportionately reduced amount of time in taught sessions and undertaking independent work, in line with their intensity of study.

Tuition Fees: Full information on tuition fees, including tuition fee lists, can be found on our Financial Support page. Please be aware that fee levels vary depending upon the year in which a student commences their studies. For more detailed information, see the YCUC HE Fees Policy, available in the Policies and Reports area of our website.

Additional Costs: There may be some voluntary educational visits to seminars and IT Expositions outside the College campus. Students are expected to fund their own transportation to such events if they wish to attend.

An assessment schedule, outlining all assessments and deadlines, will be issued to you at the start of each academic year. The programme uses different types of formative assessments to test and prepare learners for the summative (graded) assessments. You will be assessed using a range of methods which will reflect the requirements of the subject, including written reports, presentations, and practical implementation of IT systems. Feedback will be provided to you in writing, along with information reflecting your performance and recommendations for improvement. Each module is graded as either Refer, Pass, Merit or Distinction.

Entry Requirements: Typical entry requirements are 48 UCAS tariff points. These could come from a relevant BTEC Level 3 qualification, a relevant T Level, an A Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in relevant subject areas, or other Level 3 qualifications such as an International Baccalaureate or an Access to HE Diploma. Grade 4 (C) or above in GCSE English and Maths (or equivalent) are highly desirable.

Mature Applicants: We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over as of 1st September in the academic year of admission) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. Mature students requesting contextual admission are required to provide details of their relevant prior work or study experience, and to also undertake a pre-entry admissions assessment to ensure there is suitable grounds to suggest they are academically ready to begin the programme and there is a reasonable expectation that they will succeed in their studies. Please email university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk to find out more.

International Applicants: International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 5.5, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language. For more information, please get in touch via university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk or call 01935 845454.

Interviews: As part of the admissions process, applicants who meet the entry criteria for the course will be invited to attend an admissions interview with a member of staff from the course they are applying to. More information about the interview process can be found on the How to apply page.

Full-time: To apply for this course on a full-time basis, you will need to apply via UCAS (Campus name: Yeovil College University Centre; Institution code: Y25; Course code: YCCP). For more information on UCAS and how the application process works, see our How to apply page.

Part-time: To apply for this course on a part-time basis, you will need to submit an application form directly to the University Centre. You can find out more about this process and download a copy of the application form by visiting our How to apply page, or you can request a copy of the application form directly from the Yeovil College University Centre team via 01935 845454 or university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, or want to know more about this course, please get in touch! You can contact us via email (university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk), phone (01935 845454), or you can fill out our Contact form.