Start Date
- September 2025, Full Time
Summary
The purpose of Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals is to develop students as independent-thinking professionals who can meet the demands of employers and adapt to a constantly changing world. The qualifications aim to widen access to higher
education and improve the career prospects of those who take them.
The Level 4 modules lay the foundation of learning by providing a broad introduction to digital technologies and to a range of digital technology specialist functions. This develops and strengthens core skills, while preparing students to study specialist
subjects at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility.
Students will gain a wide range of knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop vocational behaviours
(the attitudes and approaches required for a competence) and transferable skills. Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in higher education and the workplace.
The Level 5 units s give students the opportunity to specialise in a digital-technology related occupational area and to progress to degree-level study. The units prepare students to move on to specific areas of digital technologies at Level 6 or to enter
employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require personal responsibility and decision making.
After studying a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies students will have a sound understanding of the principles in their area of specialist study and will know how to apply them.
UCAS Code D500
Entry Requirements
Students will need:
GCSE grades at A* to C (or equivalent) and/or 9 to 4 (or equivalent) in Maths and English AND one of the following:
a BTEC Level 3 qualification in Computer Science or other related Level 3 qualification
a GCE Advanced Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or adequate performance in more than one GCE subject.
an Access to Higher Education Diploma from an approved further education institution
an international equivalent to the above qualifications.
Mature students with relevant industrial background may also be considered subject to interview.
Assessment
The course requires 240 credits, comprising 8 units (15 credits each) at Level 4 AND 8 units (15 credits each) at Level 5:
Level 4:
Unit 1: Professional Practice in the Digital Economy
Unit 2: Innovation & Digital Transformation
Unit 3: Cyber Security
Unit 4: Programming
Unit 5: Big Data & Visualisation
Unit 6: Networking in the Cloud
Unit 10: Database Design & Development
Unit 11: Software Development Lifecycles
Level 5:
Unit 19: Business Intelligence
Unit 20: Internet of Things
Unit 21: Emerging Technologies
Unit 26: Data Structures & Algorithms
Unit 27: Advanced Programming
Unit 28: Risk Analysis and Systems Testing
Plus a further 2 modules chosen by the course team
Career Progression
This programme is widely recognised by employers and professional bodies and can provide pathways to both further education and membership of relevant professional bodies.
Fees
HNC or HND per 15 credit unit UK fee: £840, International Fee: £1,015
HNC or HND "Top Up" £6,720, International Fee: £8,120
Full HND (240 Credits) £13,440, International Fee: £16,240
In addition to the course fees, there is also a Pearson registration fee, which they have not yet set for 2024/25, which will be charged separately to the tuition fees above.
As a guide, the 2023/24 BTEC Level 4 and 5 Higher National Student Registration (HTQ HND) fees were £374.05, in year one, with a further £23.00 learner registration in each subsequent year of study
