Northern Regional College

Featured courses

• First Diploma in IT Practitioners (soon to be Level 2 BTEC Diploma in IT Practitioners)

  Degree Title:

  From September 2010 this course title will change as it is put on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) http://www.qcda.gov.uk. The new title will be – Level 2 BTEC Diploma in IT Practitioners

  Degree description:

  Duration:
  1 year, Full-time

  Campus: Antrim:
  Ballymena; Coleraine; Magherafelt; Newtownabbey

  Awarding Body:
  Edexcel

  Entry Requirements:
  Applicants should have at least 4 GCSEs at grade D-G, or above, or other related level 1 or 2 qualifications or other relevant qualifications.
  In circumstances where there are more applications for the course than there are places available, the College reserves the right to ask for higher grades.

  Course Aims:
  The First Diploma for IT Practitioners has been developed in the IT sector to provide opportunities for learners to gain a nationally recognised vocationally specific qualification to enter employment in the IT sector or to progress to Diploma level studies. The course provides opportunities for learners to develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.

  Special Features:
  eLearning support and the essential skills of communication and numeracy are an integral part of this course. Selected specialist software used on the course is available free.

  Assessment Methods:
  Assessment will be through assignments which will ensure coverage of all the criteria in the units. Students learn by completing projects and assignments that are based on realistic workplace situations, activities and demands. The tasks and activities will enable learners to produce evidence that relates directly to the specified criteria.

  Achievements/Qualifications:
  Level 2 BTEC Diploma in IT Practitioners (equivalent to 4 GCSE grades – A*- C).

  Progression Routes:
  A First Diploma prepares students for employment and provides a good grounding to go on to a more advanced course such as the National Diploma in IT Practitioners. With further study or training students may pursue a career as an End User Support Technician or a Trainee IT Support Officer or Technician.

  View First Diploma for IT Practitioners

• National Diploma in IT Practitioners (soon to be Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in IT Practitioners)

  Degree Title:

  From September 2010 this course title will change as it is put on the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) http://www.qcda.gov.uk. The new title will be – Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in
  IT Practitioners.

  Degree description:

  Duration: 2 years, Full-time

  Awarding Body: Edexcel

  Entry Requirements:
  Applicants should have at least 4 GCSEs grade C or above (maths and english desirable), or First Diploma or other relevant qualifications.
  In circumstances where there are more applications for the course than there are places available, the College reserves the right to ask for higher grades.

  Course Aims:
  To provide students with a nationally recognised qualification in the fields of computing and ICT which meets the needs of employees and employers. To provide an education that forms the basis for progression to higher level studies.

  Course Content:
  Core Units including:
  • Communication and Employability Skills
  • Computer Systems
  • Information Systems
  • Systems Analysis and Design
  • Visual Basic Programming
  • Web Design
  • Games Development

  Subject options may vary depending on campus.

  If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification. This will be a compulsory part of your timetable.

  Special Features:
  • Selected specialist software used on the course is available free.
  • Essential Skills in communication and numeracy are an integral part of this course.

  Assessment Methods:
  Assessment is by continuous assessment based on a range of assignments and projects across all modules.

  Achievements/Qualifications:
  • Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma in IT Practitioners.
  • Various specialist routes through the course are available for example Software Development or IT and Business.

  Progression Routes:
  Successful completion of this course will enable students to gain access to a variety of higher level courses such as Honour Degrees, Foundation Degrees or HND/C’s in Information Technology, Computers Science, Software Engineering and Business Information Technology (BIT). Alternatively the qualification may enable students to gain entry to a variety of careers in industry. Examples of Universities that past students have progressed to include: The University of Ulster (Coleraine,
  Jordanstown & Magee Campuses), Bradford University, Dundee University and University of Caledonia.

  View National Diploma for IT Practitioners

• Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma IT Practitioners (1 GCE A Level equivalent)

  Degree Title:

  Further Education :Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma IT Practitioners (1 GCE A Level equivalent)

  Degree description:

  Campus:
  Newtownabbey

  Duration:
  1 Year Full-time or 2 Years Part-time

  Entry Requirements:
  Applicants should have at least 4 GCSE’s at grade C or above or First Diploma or other relevant qualification.

  In circumstances where there are more applications for the course than there are places available, the College reserves the right to ask for higher grades.

  Course Content:
  Core subjects:
  • Communication and Employability Skills for IT
  • Computer Systems

  Course Aims:
  The Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma IT Practitioners aims to produce ICT users who can use appropriate tools and techniques to allow them to make decisions and solve problems. Students will learn how to develop websites, advertise, present information, carry out market research, collect and manage their own multimedia products and so on. Students build an e-portfolio as a showcase for their achievements. The skills acquired will support study in any other subject area.

  Special Features:
  If you are accepted onto this course without a Grade C or above in Maths and/or English, you will be required to complete the relevant Essential Skills qualification

  Assessment Methods:
  Assignment and Assessment.

  Achievements/Qualifications:
  Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma for IT Practitioners

  Progression Routes:
  This Level 3 qualification gives students a choice of progression routes into further study, training or relevant employment. Students who complete the qualification will be well equipped to seek employment or progress to other courses. Students completing this course with Distinction Grades can progress to the second year of the Level 3 BTEC Extended Diploma IT Practitioners.

  View Level 3 BTEC Subsidiary Diploma IT Practitioners (1 GCE A Level equivalent)

• Higher National Certificate in Computing with Multimedia

  Degree Title:

  Higher National Certificate in Computing with Multimedia

  Degree description:

  Campus:
  Ballymena; Newtownabbey

  Duration:
  Part-time
  Ballymena:
  2 Years, 2 evenings per week (4.00pm – 9.30pm)
  Newtownabbey:
  2 Years, 2 evenings per week (4.00pm – 9.30pm)

  Awarding Body:
  Edexcel

  Entry Requirements:
  2 points at A-Level or equivalent, or National Diploma, or other if over 21.

  Course Content:
  Course content includes:
  • Web Development – ASP.NET, VB.NET, Dreamweaver, Flash
  • Programming – VB.NET
  • Database Design and Maintenance
  • Computer Systems
  • System Analysis
  • Computer Platforms
  • Project Management
  • Software installations and updating
  Subject options may vary depending on campus.

  Course Aims:
  To produce successful students who have an appropriate understanding of the tools and techniques used within the interactive computing industry and the skills required to apply them.

  Special Features:
  Teaching is practical based thus enabling the student to develop skills and underpinning knowledge. Case studies are based around computing and interactive media scenarios. Industry standard software and hardware are used to develop realistic products.
  • Microsoft Industry Standard Software
  • Professional techniques
  • Video demos of teaching materials
  • A dedicated Computing
  Web Server.
  • Selected specialist software used on the course is available free.

  Assessment Methods:
  Assignments, written assessments, case studies, projects.

  Achievements/Qualifications:
  The BTEC Higher National Certificate is a level 5 NQF qualification.

  Progression Routes:
  Students who complete the qualification can progress to an Honours Degree at a University. Your level of training will be such that you will be equipped to enter Support, Web Development, Programming, or general computing sectors.

  View Higher National Certificate in Computing with Multimedia

• Higher National Diploma in Computing with Multimedia

  Degree Title:

  Higher National Diploma in Computing with Multimedia

  Degree description:

  Campus: Ballymena

  Duration 2 years, Full-time

  Awarding Body Edexcel

  Entry Requirements
  Applicants must have a National Diploma in Computing/ICT or AVCE in IT/ICT or 2 points at A-Level or other relevant qualifications.

  In circumstances where there are more applications for the course than there are places available, the College reserves the right to ask for higher grades.

  Course Content
  Course content includes:
  • Web Development – ASP.NET,
  VB.NET, Dreamweaver, Flash
  • Multimedia Production – Director
  • Programming – VB.NET
  • Animation – Flash, POSER
  • Image Manipulation – Fireworks
  • Web Server Setup and Maintenance
  • Selected specialist software used on the course is available free.

  Course Aims
  To produce successful students who have an appropriate understanding of the tools and techniques used within the interactive computing industry and the skills required to apply them.

  Special Features
  Teaching is practical based thus enabling the student to develop skills and underpinning knowledge. Case studies are based around computing and interactive media scenarios. Industry standard software and hardware are used to develop realistic products.
  • Industry Standard Software from Adobe and Microsoft
  • Professional techniques
  • Video demos of teaching materials
  • A dedicated Computing Web Server.

  Assessment Methods
  No Examinations. Coursework, Assignments and a Project.

  Achievements/Qualifications
  The BTEC Higher National Diploma is a level 5 NQF qualification which makes it equivalent to 1.5 years on a Degree course.

  Progression Routes
  Students who complete the qualification can progress to an Honours Degree at a University. Your level of training will be such that you will be equipped to enter Support, Web Development, Programming,
  Interactive Media or general computing sectors.

  View Higher National Diploma in Computing with Multimedia