Access to Higher Education Diploma (Computer Science)

Part 1: Academic research

• Understand personal learning strengths and weaknesses.
• Understand how to plan and organise study.
• Be able to assess the reliability of sources of information.
• Understand how to use reading strategies.
• Understand note-taking methods.
• Understand how to plan written work.
• Understand how sources are referenced.

Part 2: Independent research

• Be able to plan a piece of research on an approved subject area.
• Be able to collect research material from different sources.
• Be able to use data to substantiate an argument.
• Be able to record sources of information.
• Be able to present research findings.

• Understand the principles of file maintenance techniques.
• Understand data storage on both magnetic and optical media.
• Understand and implement security measures to keep date secure.

• Understand cyber security threats and security protection methods.
• Demonstrate how to apply security protection methods.
• Understand the legal responsibilities or employers and individuals regarding cyber security.
• Understand how to apply a cyber protection plan.

• Understand the management of security
• Understand the principles of information security audits
• Understand planning for disaster recovery
• Understand Risk Assessment

• Be able to design a website to address loosely defined requirements.
• Be able to use web development tools to build Hyper Text Markup Language 5 (HTML5) and Cascading Style Sheets (CSS) based websites to address well-defined specifications.
• Understand different web development tools, methodologies, and technologies.
• Understand the technology and tools needed to use multimedia in the context of a website.
• Be able to embed functional multimedia components in an HTML5 site.

• Be able to demonstrate user input collection using HTML and PHP.
• Be able to use pre-defined functions in PHP.
• Be able to use security features within PHP.
• Be able to use Superglobals in PHP.
• Be able to use Object Oriented features within PHP.

• Understand the concepts of Big Data.
• Understand the impacts of processing Big Data.
• Understand how Big Data is used.

• Have confidence with algebra.
• Know about quadratics.
• Have knowledge of coordinate geometry and graphs.
• Know about differentiation.
• Know about integration.

• Understand types of network and devices in common use.
• Understand the impact of bandwidth on a network.
• Understand the different cable types use in a network.
• Understand how different network technologies operate and communicate.

• Understand database terminology.
• Understand the principles of creating a simple database using a database application package.
• Know how to interrogate a database and create database reports.
• Know how to use a database application to create a database for other users.

• Understand the process of installing a web server.
• Know how to create a web site with access to a database view a newly installed web server.
• Understand the process of accessing a database via a web site.

• Understand what is meant by the term, The Internet of Things (IoT).
• Understand the different applications of the IoT.
• Understand the characteristics of systems and services which make up the IoT.

• Understand the factors that influence an IT service strategy within an organisation.
• Understand the management of information assets over time.
• Understand the impact of the technology lifecycle and the need to future proof IT services.

• Be able to design a digital portfolio.
• Be able to create and test a digital portfolio.
• Understand the benefits of using a digital portfolio.

• You must be at least 19 years old to enrol on this course.
• You will need to have a minimum of a grade C or 4 in GCSE English Language and GCSE Maths. Copies of your official certificates will be requested as part of the enrolment process before your place is confirmed. Functional Skills Level 2 Maths and English will also be considered.
• You will need to have access to a laptop or computer and the Internet to complete this course. You will also need to install freely available software to complete certain assignments. Please ensure that your device has the capability to accommodate this.
• If there is a particular university course you wish to study after completing this diploma, it is your responsibility to ensure it meets the entry requirements.

It will take two years to complete this course. The minimum number of independent study hours you are required to do each week is 20 hours. It is crucial to ensure that you are able to allocate this study time around your other commitments.

Please note, you will be provided with an assessment timetable which will detail your assignment release and deadline dates.

This Access to Higher Education course doesn’t include any exams. Your will be assessed through assignments including essays, presentations, and reports.

Your assessments will be distributed on set dates according to the course timetable, with each having a fixed deadline which you must meet.

Your qualification will not be assigned an overall grade. Instead, grading will be based on graded units, with a maximum of 60 credits available to achieve. These grades will correspond to a specific number of UCAS points based on the credit value:

• Non-graded units will be graded as ‘achieved’ or ‘unachieved’.
• For graded units, you will receive a pass, merit, distinction, or fail.

Find out more about unit credits, and which units are graded and ungraded here.

You will study this course via distance learning, offering you the flexibility to study whenever and wherever you choose. Whether it’s from the comfort of your home or any other location of your preference, the choice is entirely yours.

However, you must ensure that you submit your assignments by the dates outlined in your assessment timetable. Rest assured, tutor support is readily available via email, so help is only a click away. Additionally, you will have access to video mentoring sessions with your tutor for graded units.

The study method you choose depends on your personal learning style. Your options are:

Study pack: if you choose the study pack option, you will be sent a set of printed course materials. 

Study online: if you choose this option, you will be sent your login details to our online portal through which you will access your course materials digitally. You can access your course via a desktop/laptop computer.

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Computer Science. AIM Group serve as an access validating agency for the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education.

With this computer science diploma, you can achieve up to 144 UCAS points depending on the grade you achieve. Find out more about UCAS points here.

Once you’ve completed the Access to Higher Education Diploma, you’ll have several options to consider. You could continue your education by pursuing bachelor’s degrees, foundation degrees, higher national certificates/diplomas, or even higher degree apprenticeships. Alternatively, the diploma can open doors to employment opportunities in sectors that require evidence of achievement at level 3.

This qualification will also prepare you for progression into higher education subjects including, but not limited to:

• Computing
• Networking
• Software engineering
• Software development
• Web development
• Computer science
• Video game development

Please note, it is strongly suggested you contact your prospective universities before beginning the Access to Higher Education Diploma to confirm their specific entry requirements.