IT – Cambridge Technicals Level 3

Why should I study IT?
OCR designed refreshing and exciting content, that’s up-to-date, engaging, fit for purpose and suitable for the needs of students in 2022 and beyond.  To do this they have consulted with employers and industry specialists to make sure that you will gain the right combination of knowledge, understanding and skills required for the 21st century.

This qualification aims to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills of the essentials of IT and Cyber Security.  You will gain an insight into the IT sector as you investigate the technological change, IT infrastructure on a global scale, and the importance of legal and security considerations.  You will also develop professional, personal and social skills through interaction with peers, stakeholders and clients, as well as theoretical knowledge and understanding to underpin these skills.  These support the transferable skills required by employers such as communication, problem solving, time management, research and analytical skills.

The qualification is equivalent in size to one A-level and has been designed as a full-time programme, completed over two years.

Course structure
This course is graded as Distinction, Merit or Pass and you will study a total of three externally examined units, Fundamentals of IT, Global information and Cyber security.  The first two mandatory units will provide you with an insight into the IT sector as you investigate technological change, IT infrastructure, the flow of information on a global scale and important legal and security considerations.  The third mandatory unit reflects an important development in the sector around information security and requires you to consider how data should be protected and the response of the IT sector to emerging threats such as cyber terrorism.  In addition to this, a choice of two further units which are centre-assessed. These units are Project Management and Product Development.  All units taught assist in the development of transferrable skills such as communication and problem solving.  The optional units encourage the development of time management, research and analytical skills as well as emphasising the need for good written and verbal communication skills.

Assessment (Exam Board – OCR)
Units 1 and 2 are 50% of the final grade.  The other 3 units make up the other 50%.

Unit 1 – Fundamentals of IT

• 1 hour 30 minutes written paper
• 80 marks
• Section A comprises multiple choice questions
• Section B comprises short answer and extended response questions

Unit 2 – Global Information

• 1 hour 30 minutes written paper
• 80 marks
• Section A comprises short answer and extended response questions, based on a pre-released case study.
• Section B comprises short answer and extended response questions. These questions will not relate to the pre-released case study

Unit 3 – Cyber Security

• 1 hour written paper
• 60 marks
• Section A comprises short answer and extended response questions based on a pre-released case study.
• Section B comprises short answer and extended response questions and will focus on the theme (i.e. personal or corporate) that is not covered in the pre-released case study

Two Project units
Each unit has 4 learning outcomes, which need to be met at either Pass, Merit or Distinction level.

Entry Requirements:
To study this course students would normally be expected to achieve:

7 Higher Grades including

• Grade 4 (or above) for English and Maths
• Grade 4 (or above) for other GCSE subjects
• 1 BTEC (or equivalent) at Merit or above may be included within the 7 grades