Computing Level 3
Start Date: 2nd September 2024
- Length 2 Years
- Study Full Time
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
Our Computing Level 3 course is ideal for those who are looking for training in up-to-date computer skills and want to study selected areas for today's computer industry.
It is also good preparation for a degree or a Foundation degree course and is equally suitable for those who wish to progress to a career in a computer based environment.
Entry requirements
- 4 GCSEs at at Grade 4-9, including English and/or Maths
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a Level 3 Diploma in Computing, as well as Functional Skills or GCSE English if required
What will I learn?
The qualification comprises of two mandatory units and a wide range of optional units selected to meet national occupational standards or specific vendor requirements:
- Networking
- Hardware
- Games development
- Web development
- Data analysis
- Software design
- Software development
- Project management
- IT User
- Microsoft
- Cisco
- NMWARE
- CompTIA
- CIW
- Oracle
- Linux
What experience will I have?
- Winners of Digital Advantage Project
- Games Engines – industry standard
- Networking Facility
- Virtual reality games machines
- Drone component and systems training Raspberry Pi
- Programming including Scratch and Python Coding Academy
- Robot Wars Emotion Robotics Masterclass
- Humanoid Robots including Pepper and Nao
- E-Sports League
- Discovery Computer Science Day
- Arcade Club
- Employer Partners, Work Experience including Fairbanks
- Programme of trips and visits
- Partner Universities including Edge Hill University
- Trips to Silicon Valley, San Francisco, Berlin Museum of Computing, Budapest and Games Expos
How am I assessed?
- Assignments
- Projects
- Presentations
- Role-plays
Where can I progress?
Students who successfully complete the course are given support and guidance regarding potential career opportunities and further study opportunities during the course and at our annual careers and progression fair. We have fantastic connections with employers to support your progression.
Our students go to University to study:
- BSc Web Development at Edge Hill University
- BSc Information Systems at Liverpool John Moores University
- BSc Computing at Edge Hill University
- BSc Games Programming at Edge Hill University
- MSc Computing at Edge Hill University
Course costs
If you are 16-18 years old, you do not have to pay course tuition fees*.
If you are 19 or over, please call 01695 52300 or email enquiries@westlancs.ac.uk to confirm the fee for this course. Course costs may be subject to change.
If you need information on any financial support that may be available to you with fees or study costs on this course, please contact Student Services who can offer advice and assistance on accessing any financial support that may be available.
*This is subject to satisfactory attendance.
Contact our team
Meet our students and tutors
Lewis
Computer Science StudentI’m currently in my 2nd year, studying Level 3 Computer Science with one of my favourite aspects being how well the tutors treat the students and allow everyone to feel included. Within my course, I thoroughly enjoy using the software, coding units as well as how the course can progress me towards university and future jobs. In regard to universities, I have applied for Edge Hill, John Moores and UCLAN, who have all offered me a place. I would recommend West Lancashire College to any high school student who is already thinking about their future. The facilities within the IT department are exceptional, in comparison to other educational systems and as a former student at another college, I have seen the difference. West Lancashire College is extremely supportive within a friendly and safe environment. I would highly recommend to all.
Jules Halder
Computer Science LecturerI have a degree in Web Systems Development and a First Honours Master’s Degree in Cyber Security. I got into teaching to show students that computing isn’t just about how to create Word documents or spreadsheets; it’s much more interesting! I’m here to provide students with the building blocks they need to learn a range of knowledge, skills and behaviours in computing.
What can I do with a qualification in Computer Science?
Daily tasks:
- Stays abreast of relevant legislation, considers its impact on the organisation.
- Considers alternative work procedures to improve productivity.
- Examines and reports on company and departmental structures, chains of command, information flows, etc. and evaluates efficiency of existing operations.
- Develops and administers salary, health and safety and promotion policies.
- Undertakes industrial relations negotiations with employees.
- Provides or arranges for provision of training courses.
- Oversees the monitoring of employee performance and career development needs.
- Oversees the preparation of job descriptions, drafts advertisements and interviews candidates.
- Determines staffing needs.
Daily tasks:
- Ensures that new technologies are researched and evaluated in the light of the organisation.
- Prioritises and schedules major IT/telecommunications projects.
- Considers the required IT/telecommunications staffing levels, oversees recruitment and appointment of staff and directs training policy.
- Develops the periodic business plan and operational budget for IT/telecommunications to deliver agreed service levels.
- Directs the implementation within the organisation of IT/telecommunications strategy, infrastructure, procurement, procedures and standards.
- Develops in consultation with other senior management the IT/telecommunications strategy of the organisation.
Daily tasks:
- Examines quality of merchandise and ensures that effective use is made of advertising and display facilities.
- Authorises payment for supplies received and decides on vending price, discount rates and credit terms.
- Oversees the maintenance of financial and other records and controls security arrangements for the premises.
- Ensures customer complaints and queries regarding sales and service are appropriately handled.
- Ensures that adequate reserves of merchandise are held and that stock keeping is carried out efficiently.
- Liaises with other staff to provide information about merchandise, special promotions etc. to customers.
- Appoints staff, assigns tasks and monitors and reviews staff performance.
Daily tasks:
- Reports on IT activities to senior management.
- Plans and monitors work and maintenance schedules to ensure agreed service levels are achieved.
- Supervises the technical team and coordinates training.
- Takes responsibility for managing the development of a specialist aspect of IT provision such as user support, network operations, service delivery or quality control.
- Liaises with users, senior staff and internal/external clients to clarify IT requirements and development needs.
- Plans, coordinates and manages the organisation.
Daily tasks:
- Reports on project or programme to senior management and/or client.
- Coordinates and oversees implementation of the project or programme.
- Monitors progress including project/programme budget, timescale and quality.
- Manages third party contributions to the programme or project.
- Coordinates and supervises the activities of the project/programme team.
- Plans the stages of the project or programme, reviews actions and amends plans as necessary.
- Works with client or senior management to establish and clarify the aims, objectives and requirements of the IT project or programme.
Daily tasks:
- Works closely with clients to implement new systems.
- Researches, analyses, evaluates and monitors network infrastructure and performance.
- Examines existing business models and flows of data and designs functional specifications and test plans for new systems in order to meet clients.
- Provides advice and assistance in the procurement, provision, delivery, installation, maintenance and use of IT systems and their environments.
- Communicates the impact of emerging technologies to clients and advises upon the potential introduction of such technology.
- Undertakes feasibility studies for major IT developments incorporating costs and benefits, and presents proposals to clients.
- Liaises with internal/external clients in order to analyse business procedure, clarify clients.
Daily tasks:
- Writes operational documentation and provides subsequent support and training for users.
- Plans and maintains database structures.
- Implements and evaluates the software.
- Writes code for specialist programming for computer games, (for example, artificial intelligence, 3D engine development).
- Tests and corrects software programs.
- Develops user interfaces.
- Writes and codes individual programs according to specifications.
- Undertakes feasibility study to design software solutions.
- Examines existing software and determines requirements for new/modified systems in the light of business needs.
Daily tasks:
- Activates the 'live' website.
- Tests website interaction and performance prior to going 'live'.
- Writes and publishes content for the website.
- Establishes methods to ensure appropriate website security and recovery.
- Designs and develops web interfaces for relational database systems.
- Develops the website and applications.
- Designs web pages including graphics, animation and functionality to maximise visual effectiveness and facilitate appropriate access.
- Presents design options to the client.
- Liaises with internal/external client in order to define the requirements for the website.
Daily tasks:
- Deals with and reports on breaches in security.
- Examines IT system for potential threats to its security and integrity and draws up plans for disaster recovery if security is compromised.
- Makes recommendations concerning software/system quality.
- Develops quality standards and validation techniques.
- Develops, implements and documents test plans for IT software, systems and computer games.
- Undertakes the testing of software, systems or computer games for errors, identifies source of problems and proposes solutions.
Daily tasks:
- Acts as a liaison between users, outside suppliers, and other technical teams.
- Performs server backup and recovery operations and restarts systems following outages.
- Identifies problems, agrees remedial action and undertakes emergency maintenance if required.
- Analyses systems and makes recommendations to improve performance.
- Schedules and performs system maintenance tasks, such as loading user applications, programs and data.
- Configures and sets up new server systems.
- Administers, monitors and supports internal/external networks, servers, email, database and security systems.
Computer Science at West Lancashire College
News
Upcoming events
Trade Fair
West Lancashire College
Tuesday 14th May 2024
4:30pm - 6:00pm
Apprenticeship Employer Breakfast
West Lancashire College
Friday 17th May 2024
8:45am - 10:00am
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