The Higher Technical qualification is a two-year course that consists of: 

• Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing (1st year) 
•  Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing (2nd year)

You should have A levels, a relevant Level 3 qualification or other relevant qualifications/ experience. In addition, Maths and English at GCSE grade 4 or above or an equivalent qualification.

Our HND Computing has been aligned to the occupational standard for Software Developers. It has been approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) as a HTQ Software Engineering.

Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs) are Level 4 and 5 qualifications (such as HNDs/Foundation Degrees/Diploma HE) that have been approved as meeting occupational standards for the relevant sector. Having been developed in collaboration with employers in an ambition to meet the needs of the growing demands of the industry, a Higher Technical Qualification provides the opportunity to gain the proper training, knowledge, and skills to be successful in the workplace.

Studying for the HTQ in Computing at Fareham College, you will access state-of-the-art facilities that align with the industry. Complete with lab facilities, high tech specifications and modern settings, you will study a broad range of computing topics that prepare you for your next steps.

In your first year of studying for the Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing (General pathway), you will be required to complete the following six mandatory units and one specialist unit: 

• Programming 
• Networking 
• Professional Practice 
• Database Design & Development 
• Security 
• Planning a Computing Project (Pearson-set) 
• Software Development Lifecycles (Specialist)

In addition, you will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios. You will also be given the opportunity to study units aligned to professional vendor qualifications and allow you, if you wish to apply after unit completion, to be assessed externally for the vendor qualification.

After successfully completing the first year and achieving the Level 4 National Certificate in Computing, you will progress onto the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, which allows you to specialise by committing to specific career paths and progression routes directed towards degree-level study.  At Fareham College, you have the opportunity to specialise in Software Engineering, which has been aligned to the Software Developer occupational standards as defined by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE)

As part of the Level 5, you will study topics such as;  

• Business Process Support 
• Data Structures and Algorithms 
• Applied Programming and Design principles 
• Discrete Maths

Find out more about the new Higher Technical Qualification here.

Once you have achieved the Level 5 Higher National Diploma, you can develop your career in the respective sector by entering the industry or studying at university.

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many computing-related courses, for example: 

• BSc (Hons) in Computing 
• BSc Data Science 
• BSc (Hons) Business Computer Systems 
• BEng (Hons) Software Engineering 
• BSc (Hons) Cyber Security and Forensic Computing