Digital Production, Design and Development T-level

Program Overview

This two-year program provides a comprehensive foundation in digital technologies, covering their impact on business, ethical implications, and technical aspects. Students specialize in Software Development Technician in Year 2, developing skills in software design, implementation, and testing. The program emphasizes industry-relevant skills, collaboration, and problem-solving, preparing graduates for careers as junior web developers, front-end developers, software test engineers, and Android developers.

Program Outline

Outline:

Year 1:

Core Component:

• Understand the impact of digital technologies on business.
• Learn how to use data in software design.
• Utilize digital technologies to analyze and solve problems.
• Gain knowledge of various digital environments, including physical, virtual, and cloud-based platforms.
• Discover emerging technical trends such as IoT, AI, AR, Blockchain, and 3D printing.
• Understand legal and regulatory obligations associated with digital technologies.
• Gain insights into the technical, physical, and human aspects of internet security.
• Develop skills in planning digital projects.
• Acquire knowledge of testing software, hardware, and data.
• Utilize digital tools for project management and collaboration.

Year 2:

Occupational Specialism (Software Development Technician):

• Analyze problems, understand user needs, define requirements, and set acceptance criteria.
• Design, implement, and test software solutions.
• Change, maintain, and support software.
• Collaborate effectively within a digital team.
• Discover, evaluate, and apply reliable sources of knowledge.
• Work within legal and regulatory frameworks when developing software.

Note:

• Units/topics of study are subject to change.
• Students will also have an individual study program to help them build skills and experience for further education or employment.

Assessment:

Core Component:

• 100% externally assessed.
• Includes:
• Paper A written examination.
• Paper B written examination.
• Employer-set project.

Occupational Specialism Component:

• External task-based assignments.
• Marked externally by Pearson.

Teaching:

• Underpinned by the Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
• Focus on:
• Industry-relevant skills development.
• Development of technical and theoretical knowledge.
• Collaboration and teamwork.
• Problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

Careers:

Potential Job Roles:

• Junior web developer.
• Junior front-end developer.
• Junior software test engineer.
• Android developer.

Average Salaries:

• Junior web developer: £25,000.
• Junior front-end developer: £20,000.
• Junior software test engineer: £22,000.

Other:

• Delivered in partnership with the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology (GBSIoT).
• Requires completion of a minimum 315 hours of industry placement.
• Access to industry-standard facilities and equipment.
• Individual study program for personalized development.
• Guaranteed progression to UC