Information Computing and Technology Level 2
Start Date: 3rd September 2026
- Length 1 Year
- Study Full Time
- Location West Lancashire College
More about the course
Our Computing course are widely accepted by universities and provide an excellent foundation for a range of IT and Computing degrees. Success on these courses will allow students to progress into IT related careers including software & games development and technical support.
This course helps students to stand out from the crowd with the skills they require to start and succeed in their IT based careers, whether that is direct employment, further education or an Apprenticeship.
Entry requirements
- 4 GCSEs at Grade 3-9, including English and/or Maths
What will I achieve?
If you successfully complete this course, you will receive a First Extended Certificate in ICT Level 2.
What will I learn?
Students will complete mandatory units during this course:
- The online world
- Technology systems
- Digital portfolio
- Mobile apps development
- Software development
- Website development
- Installing computer hardware
- Multi-media development
What experience will I have?
- Games Engines - industry standard
- Network 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 Roberts, including Pepper and Nao
- E-Sports League
- Discovery Computer Science Day
- Arcade Club
- Employers partners
- Work experience
- Partnership Universities, including Edge Hill
- National and international trips, including Vienna
How am I assessed?
- Internally marked assessments (practical and theory)
- An external theory assessment moderated by the awarding body Pearson
- On-screen test, which includes a mixture of multiple choice and short word answer questions
Where can I progress?
Upon successful completion of the course, students may wish to progress onto our Computing Level 3 course, Entry in Employment, Higher Education including Degree Apprenticeship or an Apprenticeship.
Our students have gone onto University to study:
- BSc Web Development, Edge Hill University
- BSc Information Systems, Liverpool John Moores University
- BSc Computing, Edge Hill University
- BSc Games Programming, Edge Hill University
- MSc Computing, Edge Hill University
Course costs
If you are 16-18 years old you do not have to pay course tuition fees*
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.
*Exam and registration fees will be paid for by the college. This is subject to satisfactory attendance and course completion
Contact our team
Meet our Computer Science students and tutors
Aron Hartley
Computer Science LecturerPrior to teaching at West Lancashire College, I obtained my Honours Degree and Masters Degree in computing specialising in Games Programming and Visual Computing. I am a lecturer for the BTEC Level 2 and 3 Computing Course, which utilises my specialisms very well. With plenty of programming units to teach and a game specialised unit, I can plan lessons around my own knowledge and pass these on to learners that want to know more. I want to share my passion for programming and computing with students who aren’t sure about computing and think it to be too technical, but I want to highlight to them that with practice and commitment, it can be engaging and fun.
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.
Angelo
Computer Science Alumni StudentI enjoyed studying Computer Science to gain the qualifications needed to be accepted onto a university course focused on artificial intelligence. AI will shape how society develops and how people live in the future, so pursuing a career in this field is highly valuable and remains my ultimate goal.
Kian
Computer Science Alumni StudentMy future ambitions were closely linked to the course I was studying. I aimed to establish myself within the fields of cybersecurity or artificial intelligence. I planned to gain experience in these areas through an apprenticeship at a university or by choosing a course that combined both subjects.
Lewis
Digital Alumni StudentI thoroughly enjoyed working with the software and coding units, and I appreciated how the course could prepare me for university and future career opportunities. I would recommend West Lancashire College to any high school student who is already thinking about their future. The facilities in the IT department are exceptional, and as a former student at another college, I could see the difference. West Lancashire College provided a supportive, friendly, and safe environment, and I would highly recommend it to everyone.
Caleb
Computer Science Alumni StudentI chose the course because I am interested in computing, how computers work, and playing games. I enjoyed learning how to create websites using HTML, and the trip to Arcains in early 2023 was a great experience.
Daniel
T Level Digital Alumni StudentI chose to study the T Level Digital course because I enjoy working with computers and completing tasks such as programming and digital art. My favourite part of the course was creating Python programs using new techniques. I progressed to studying Game Design at Edge Hill University.
Dean
T Level Digital Alumni StudentChoosing the Digital T Level was the ideal option for me, as I wanted to pursue a career in the IT industry. I enjoyed all the topics covered during the course, as well as the trips that were offered.
Jack
T Level Digital Alumni StudentI was interested in game design and programming, as well as learning about other aspects of IT, which made this course the best choice for me. I enjoyed the trips, the opportunities to experience real work environments, and the course modules.
Jayden
T Level Digital Alumni StudentI have always been interested in computers, so the T Level course seemed perfect for me. I really enjoyed the opportunities we were given, including trips to different universities and arcades.
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:
- 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.
Daily tasks:
- Reports on commonly occurring queries to detect underlying problems.
- Maintains a log of work in progress, calls received, actions taken and problems detected.
- Researches possible solutions in user guides, technical manuals and other documents.
- Refers more complex or intractable problems to appropriate IT professionals.
- Facilitates user access to systems.
- Installs and upgrades hardware, cables, operating systems and/or appropriate software.
- Advises users on how to resolve hardware and software problems.
- Provides technical support to IT users.
Digital at West Lancashire College
Upcoming events
February Open Event
West Lancashire College
Monday 2nd February 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm
April Open Event
West Lancashire College
Thursday 30th April 2026
4:30pm - 7:00pm
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