Level: 4 | Duration: 1 year | Start Date: September
Days of the Week: Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Times: Wed: 12.45pm – 4pm, Thurs: 9am – 4pm, Fri: 9am – 12pm (TBC 2025)
What is this course about?
Whether you are already working in the Digital sector, or would like to gain a higher level qualification to start your career, the HNC will allow you to gain leading edge skills in the field of computing and systems development through a nationally recognised qualification awarded by Pearson.
What will I be learning?
The HNC course has a number of compulsory core units. These are:
Programming, Networking, Professional Practice, Database Design & Development, Security, Managing a Successful Computing Project, Systems Development Lifecycles and Strategic Information Systems.
You will have the opportunity to gain industry qualifications as well as your main course; the college is an Adobe accredited centre, CISCO IT Essentials, and CCNA. You will be taught by industry qualified staff who have worked in a wide variety of areas, each with their own areas of specialisation. There will also be varied trips and visits during the course.
When you enrol, you will receive the date of your first induction session where you will receive your timetable for the academic year.
Two of the core units are:
Programming
This unit will introduce you to the core concepts of programming with an introduction to algorithms and the characteristics of programming paradigms. Among the topics included in this unit are: introduction to algorithms, procedural, object-orientated & event-driven programming, security considerations, the integrated development environment, and the debugging process. On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to design and implement algorithms in a chosen language within a suitable Integrated Development Environment (IDE).
Managing a Successful Computing Project
The aim of this unit is to give you an opportunity to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a project. You will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a computing project which meets appropriate aims and objectives.
On successful completion of this unit you will have the confidence to engage in decision-making, problem-solving and research activities using project management skills.
Entry Requirements:
64 UCAS points, made up of a combination of the following:
• Level 3 qualification in a relevant subject e.g. BTEC Extended Diploma in IT, Computing A-Level.
• GCSE English and maths qualifications at a minimum of Grade C/ Grade 4 (or equivalent) or Level 2 equivalent
Applicants with professional experience will also be considered on an individual basis.
Course Fee (Per Year):
£6,950 (TBC for 2025)
Click here for information about Tuition Fee Loans and Maintenance Loans.
How will I be assessed?
Your assessment will be 100% by coursework.
Study time:
You will spend 22% of your time in lectures, seminars, or similar and 78% of the time in independent study.
What will this course lead on to?
This course will prepare students for employment in a range of occupations in computing, e-commerce, project management, game development, multimedia, applications development, networking and many more.
Upon successful completion of the HNC Computing for England (RQF), you may be able to progress onto the HND Computing for England (RQF), delivered at Riverside College.
Why choose Riverside College for this course?
– Outstanding teaching and learning
– Course timetables to fit around your current employment
– Access to industry standard hardware and software
– The option to achieve industry qualifications alongside your course e.g. CISCO
– Excellent value for money
– Small class sizes
Higher Education Links
Course Features
- Lecture 0
- Quiz 0
- Duration 10 weeks
- Skill level All levels
- Language English
- Students 0
- Assessments Yes
