Computing AAQ Level 3 Extended Certificate (Single)

Applications Open: Monday 3rd November 2025

Applications Close: Friday 24th July 2026

Entry Requirements: Our general entry requirements are:-

• A Levels – advanced courses, two year study programme, with an average entry requirement of at least five grade 5+ qualifications, including English and mathematics. Some subjects may have additional entry requirements.

• BTEC Level 3 – advanced courses, two year study programme, with an average entry requirement of at least five grade 4+ qualifications, including English and mathematics. Some subjects may have additional entry requirements.

• T Level - technical course, two year study programme, with an average entry requirement of at least five grade 5+ qualifications, including English and mathematics.

• BTEC Level 2 – One year programme, which could lead on to further studies, with an average entry requirement at least five grade 2 or above, including English and mathematics.

How to Apply: Please apply via Kent Choices

If applying to T Level Engineering, please include a second choice set of subjects within the same application.

Course aims

The course gives students opportunities to develop the core knowledge, skills and understanding that underpin computer programming and to develop computational thinking and programming skills that will enable them to solve problems. Students will explore the critical components that safeguard information systems and data and will acquire knowledge and skills to comprehend and apply security and encryption principles and practices to computer networks in various situations. Students will also have the opportunity to examine the underlying principles of human-computer interaction (HCI) and develop a HCI solution to meet the requirements of a given brief. Students will draw synoptically on their programming learning and computational thinking skills to manage the development of a software solution to a problem.

Course content

The qualification has four mandatory units covering the following topic areas:

• Programming Fundamentals – Computing concepts and their application through programming and design methodologies
• Computer Network Security and Encryption – Types and origins of security threats, relevant regulations, methods and tools to detect and prevent threats, and concepts and algorithms of encryption
• Human-Computer Interaction – User experience (UX) and user interface (UI) design principles and their application in creating interfaces; key principles of HCI design, including meeting diverse needs of users
• Practical Programming – Principles of computer science related to software development and their application in developing and managing a software solution.

Assessment

External assessment for a BTEC National is linked to a specific unit. All of the units developed for external assessment allow students to demonstrate breadth and depth of achievement. Each assessment is taken under specified conditions, then marked by Pearson and a grade awarded. Internally-assessed units are assessed by a Pearson Set Assignment Brief (PSAB), which is set by Pearson, marked by teachers and subject to external standards verification.

Synoptic assessment requires students to demonstrate that they can identify and use effectively, in an integrated way, an appropriate selection of skills, techniques, concepts, theories and knowledge from across the whole sector as relevant to a key task.

Additional course entry requirements

At least a merit in IT or grade 5 in computer science.

Progression and career opportunities

This qualification can lead to progression to the following degrees: BSc Computer Science, BSc Software Engineering, BA Computer Games and Animation.

Apprenticeships and employment as: IT Support Technician, Software/games tester, Junior Web Developer, Junior Programmer.