Digital Production, Design and Development - T Level

Start date	Location	Duration
04 Sep 2023	Bispham Campus	2 Years	Apply now
03 Sep 2024	Bispham Campus	2 Years	Apply now

Course Summary

We are in an increasingly interconnected world with technology pervading all parts of our lives. The digital future we are part of requires highly skilled individuals to design, implement, maintain and innovate, and the demand for software developers will continue to grow. There are jobs today that simply did not exist in the past, enabled by technical innovations and the people that create and consume them.

T Levels have been developed in collaboration with employers and businesses so the content will meet the needs of industry and prepare students for work. They provide the knowledge and experience needed to open the door to highly skilled employment, an Apprenticeship or higher-level study, including university.

As technology continues to play a greater role in our world, so software developers will increasingly be in demand. In your career as a software developer you'll build and test high-quality code. This T Level will equip you with the knowledge and the practical experience to set you on track for a successful career in software development. Or you might choose to use your software development skills in a totally different field.

The things you learn on this course, from problem-solving to writing and structuring code, can be used in many different jobs and industry sectors. A software developer will typically be working as part of a larger team, in which they will have responsibility for some of the straightforward elements of the overall project.

If you love making things, and learning how things work in the world around us, a Software Development T Level may be exactly what you need to get the career of your dreams.

Tomorrow's talent. Trained today.

Entry Requirements

If you're a school leaver who aspires to working quite specifically in the software development or engineering sector, this T level will give you all the skills and knowledge to launch your career or go on to further study.

5 GCSEs grade 4 or above in English and Maths along with the following:

•   A successful interview with a tutor
•   The ability to study independently
•   A genuine interest in the subject
•   Good communication skills
•   Hardworking approach towards the industry

All 16-18 year-old applicants will be invited to attend an interview to meet a tutor and ask any questions they may have about the course.

Essential Skills – English and Maths

Each T-Level has English, Maths and Digital skills from the General Competency Framework embedded within the content, so you will continue to develop these highly regarded skills towards a Level 3 standard.

Qualification Obtained

T Level Technical Qualification in Digital Production, Design and Development

Industry Placement and Field Trips

You will be required to complete an industry placement with an employer, which will last for a minimum of 45 working days (between 315 – 420 hours)

Industry Placements are managed by an appointed Workplace Co-ordinator within the curriculum area who maintains liaisons with employers, performs visits and logs required documents such as insurance.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Year 1

You will learn about the following topics:

Problem solving
Programming
Emerging issues and impact of digital (AI, AR and VR)
Legislation and regulatory requirements
Business context
Data
Digital environments
Security

Core content focuses on your knowledge and understanding of contexts, concepts, theories, principles and core skills relevant to a software developer.

This could include, where appropriate, assessment of knowledge, understanding and skills relevant to the route and the pathway.

Year 2

You will experience the life of a software developer, working on real life development projects, following the full software lifecycle from design through to testing.

The specialism focuses on software development specific skills which include:

Analyse a problem to define requirements and acceptance criteria aligned to user needs
Design, implement and test software
Change, maintain and support software
Create solutions in a social and collaborative environment
Discover, evaluate and apply reliable sources of knowledge
Apply ethical principles and manage risks in line with legal and regulatory requirements when developing software

Your programmes will include the following mandatory elements:

A ‘core’ set of underpinning knowledge, concepts and skills, tailored for your chosen occupation
Specialist training covering industry-specific skills
An industry placement with an employer, which will last for a minimum of 45 working days (between 315 – 420 hours)

Teaching and learning differs for each element, with practical topics incorporating a summative assignment that results in product creation.

Students are initially supported by demonstrations and walkthroughs and later by a workshop/individual focus intended to foster creativity.

Modules are delivered by subject specialists with industry experience.

Facilities and resources are regularly updated to improve your experience in college and online to match the needs of the course.

Expert Tutors

All staff involved in the delivery of further education courses within the College are approved to teach the subjects and modules they deliver.

The approval process ensures that staff delivering a given programme are appropriately qualified and, where appropriate, possess relevant technical and industrial experience and professional practice.

Assessment Methods

The core content (year 1) is assessed through an examination and a practical employer-set project.

The specialism (year 2) is assessed through a practical time based project.

Other Costs and Equipment Needed

No specialised hardware and software is required but you would be expected to have access to a computer with internet access.

Trips will be offered but these will not be required for the course and may be partly subsidised by the college.

Tuition Fees

If you are 18 and under no fees are payable. If you are 19+, please read our tuition fee guide for adult learners.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institution: N/A

Awarding Body: Pearson

Regulatory Body: Ofsted

Terms and Conditions

Read our full terms and conditions for more information.

Career Options and Progression

Career opportunities this programme could successfully pursue include:

•   Software Development Technician
•   Junior Developer
•   Junior Web Developer
•   Junior Application Developer
•   Junior Mobile App Developer
•   Junior Games Developer
•   Junior Software Developer
•   Junior Application Support Analyst
•   Junior Programmer
•   Assistant Programmer
•   Automated Test Developer

On completion of this course you have the opportunity to progress to Higher Education. You could chose to study at B&FC for a Foundation Degree in one of the following:

•   Computer Science
•   Software Engineering (Game Development) or (App Development)
•   Network Engineering (Systems Administration) or (Cyber Security)
•   Web Technologies and Digital Media