HNC/HND Information Technology

by eo01an — last modified 2010-10-24 16:12

COURSE INFORMATION:

Place of Study: Shetland College UHI, Lerwick

Mode of Study: Full time or Part time

Length of course: Full time: 1 year, Part time: 2 years.

Start Date: September 2011

Entry Requirements:

HNC: NQ/NC in Business/IT or 1 appropriate Higher or relevant work experience

HND: Higher National Certificate (HNC) in IT

COURSE SUMMARY:

Provides useful foundations for a successful career in Computing and Information Technology. Key subjects include: Office applications; application development; web planning and development; computer system support; and Database design. The PDA award optional modules can help prepare students to sit the Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician (MCDST) award which is available to study at the college.

COURSE CONTENT:

HNC: IT in Business - Spreadsheets; IT in Business - Databases; PC - First Line Support; IT - Group Award Graded Unit; Working Within a Project Team; Software Development: Applications Development and Database Fundamentals.

HNC Optional Modules: SQL - An Introduction; Computing - Planning; E-Commerce - Publishing websites; Computer Operating Systems; Professional Development Award (PDA) in Desktop Support - supporting users; troubleshooting Desktop Operating Systems; and troubleshooting Desktop Applications.

HND: Internet - Web Technology and Security; Software Development - Relational Database Systems; Functional Areas of Business; Computer Operating Systems; Information and Communications Technology in Business; IT Graded Unit; Project Management; IT Legislation; and Codes of Practice.

Optional Units to value 3 credits: e.g. developing for WWW, Multi-User Operating Systems.

GOOD REASONS TO STUDY THIS COURSE:

Gain a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma in Information Technology
Learn a range of practical IT skills
Open up the door to various further courses and career paths
Students studying on this award can gain great free software benefits from our Microsoft Academy Alliance membership.

HOW WILL I STUDY?

With group discussions, practical exercises, open learning and lecturer-led tutorials.

Teaching staff within each college section provide first-line guidance and support for each student in relation to course work. If additional support is required the college’s support for learning team is available to provide appropriate support tailored to individual student needs.

STUDENT QUOTE:

"The course is varied and interesting and I would recommend it to anyone thinking of a career within the IT sector. Course delivery is excellent and the college staff are very welcoming and helpful, regularly going out of their way for us! I went in to the course with a limited background in IT but three years later I now have an HNC and HND to my name. Time very well spent." George Wallington.

STAFF QUOTE:

"This course was introduced by SQA in 2007 and offers a fantastic IT qualification. Students cover a range of IT disciplines so the course is a great foundation for progression onto higher level courses and a range of career paths." Euan Robertson, Head of Section.

PROGRESSION:

Academic: BSc Computing/Information Technology. Articulation routes can be arranged to universities including: Robert Gordon, Heriot Watt and Napier.

Employment/Career: Web Design, Database management and IT Technical Support.

Former students have: Moved on to HND in mainland Scotland and gained technical jobs in Shetland.