Vocational Computing: Application Developer (Block B)

Applications Open: - Friday 7 November 2025

Applications Close: - Sunday 15 February 2026

Entry Requirements: - Dependent on course

How to Apply: - Please visit our website to make your application using the Applicaa system https://www.welcometonsfg.org.uk/sixthform/

A successful CAN CAD student is someone interested in producing advanced interactive products for computers according to the needs of a client. Students should enjoy video games and have a desire to learn more about the creation process behind their favourite game, software, or website. Students will require both logical-thinking and creative-thinking skills as they will be expected to produce practical products that will involve considerable work outside of lesson hours.

Relevant

This course is the first in the new wave of AAQ (Alternative Assessment Qualifications) aiming to improve the approach of vocational courses. The specification is fully up to date for first teaching in September 2025 and the skills taught are industry applicable. The course will equip students with fundamental knowledge to move them on to computing based careers or into higher education.

Practical

To complete the Extended Certificate students will complete 3 internal coursework units that make up more than half of the overall grade. The coursework units follow the structure of design, prototype, create, test, evaluate and are completed through a clear assessment method with discrete criteria that students work through to achieve their grades.

Creative

Unlike A Level Computer Science, CAN CAD requires students to exercise both their technical knowledge and their creative knowledge in a more realistic-to-industry way. Students will be required to create interfaces using design guidelines and use their creativity to design fully functional and aesthetically pleasing websites and games. The work produced can act as a portfolio for applications to jobs and universities.

Skills developed

• Application
• Problem solving
• Interface design
• Computer programming
• Game design
• Cyber security
• Project planning
• Communication
• Accessibility needs

Students complete 5 assessments over two years for the full Extended Certificate:

Two externally assessed examinations

• Fundamentals of application development*
• Developing application software

Three internally assessed non-examination assessments (coursework)

• Designing and communicating UX/UI (User eXperience/User Interface) solutions*

Plus 2 from:

• Game Development
• Website Development
• Software Development

Units marked with a * count towards the Certificate.

For the Certificate, the exam/coursework split of marks is 50/50.

For the Extended Certificate, the exam/coursework split of marks is 40/60.

GENERIC VOCATIONAL ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: GCSE 4-9 in English Language & Vocational course at Level 2 Merit

SUBJECT SPECIFIC ENTRY REQUIREMENTS: Grade 4 in English, Grade 5 in Maths. Desired GCSE Computer Science / Vocational IT .

This course sets students up for further study of Computer Science or IT at university, including courses related to Software Development and Game Design.

In addition, the core skills learned in this course can be used to support students on Level 4 and higher Degree apprenticeships in a computing related field.

Knowledge of computing is relevant in many career paths, including finance, business, marketing, public sector, schools, construction, engineering, film and animation.