HNC in Digital Technologies (Full-time)

The Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Digital Technologies is ideal for individuals seeking a broad introduction to digital technologies and specialist functions. It's perfect for those aiming to develop core skills and prepare for further study at Level 5 or enter employment in roles requiring personal responsibility.

This programme suits students who want to gain practical skills through research, independent study, directed study, and workplace scenarios. It is designed for those interested in vocational activities that foster vocational behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. Upon completion, students will have a solid understanding of digital technology concepts and be equipped with both subject-specific and general skills relevant to digital technology-related business.

There are several options for entry to this course:
-   48 UCAS points
-   One A Level or BTEC National Diploma / Certificate
-   Relevant work experience in a business department role

This course involves discussing the theoretical foundation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), including its types and areas of application. Students will analyse the approaches, techniques, and tools used to deploy Intelligent Systems. They will also learn to modify AI-based systems to enhance their ability to exhibit intelligence in response to real-world problems. Additionally, the course covers evaluating the technical and ethical challenges and opportunities associated with Intelligent Systems.

Course content:

Professional Practice in the Digital Economy

The rapid pace of technological change is transforming the way we work. The World Economic Forum highlights the need for individuals who can solve complex problems, communicate well, and be resilient, creative, and innovative in an increasingly automated world where smart technologies handle routine tasks. These skills are essential for daily proficiency in designated tasks, and continuous professional development ensures individuals possess valuable skills applicable to any problem-solving situation or environment.

This unit provides a foundation for good practice across various contexts, allowing students to examine the evolution and impact of digital technologies on work environments. Students will explore the importance of professional development for career success and the benefits of working towards career goals. Problem-solving requires transferable and communication skills, and working with others is integral to everyday life. Understanding role responsibilities and how to collaborate with peers and colleagues supports professional development. Upon successful completion, students will be able to explain the influence of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on work and skills in the digital sector, justify the use of transferable and communication skills for problem-solving, and make recommendations on professional development planning and feedback. They will develop crucial skills such as problem-solving, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, and interpretation for professional practice and workplace competence in a digital world.

Innovation & Digital Transformation

Many businesses remain competitive by adapting strategies and rethinking their operating models in response to market changes. Technology enables these organisations to evolve and enhance their value to customers, with modern services increasingly moving online, making digital transformation essential. In 2019, global spending on digital transformation technologies and services grew by around 18%. This unit aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of digital transformation.

Digital transformation involves integrating digital technology into all areas of a business to maximise Return on Investment (ROI), leading to significant changes in business operations and culture. Students will explore various tools and techniques that organisations use to innovate, including frameworks and elements such as operational agility, culture, leadership, customer experience, and digital technology integration.

Cyber Security

Digital technologies provide opportunities for malicious hackers and cyberterrorists to exploit individuals, governments, institutions, and large organisations. Defending against cyberattacks, including insider threats, is a priority in the digital technologies sector. Cybercrime techniques and attack vectors are rapidly evolving, leveraging the speed, anonymity, and convenience of the internet to facilitate malicious and criminal activities.

This unit aims to develop students' knowledge and understanding of cyber threats, vulnerabilities, defence techniques, and incident response. Students will explore fundamental principles, leading-edge concepts, terminologies, models, and hardening methods. They will assess types of malicious activities and potential targets, and understand the role everyone plays in maintaining cyber resilience. Upon successful completion, students will have examined the nature of cybercrime and cyber threat actors, roles and responsibilities related to information assurance, threats and vulnerabilities in ICT infrastructure, and strategic responses to cybersecurity threats.

Programming

Programming involves describing processes and procedures derived from algorithms, distinguishing developers from end users. Developers write source code in a language that devices can understand and execute. Algorithms describe solutions to problems by identifying necessary data and processes, and programming languages represent these through control constructs and data types. These constructs enable sequential processing, decision making, and iteration, essential for algorithm representation.

This unit introduces students to programming fundamentals, including algorithms and programming paradigms such as procedural, object-oriented, and event-driven programming. It covers security considerations, integrated development environments (IDEs), and debugging processes. By completing this unit, students will be able to design and implement algorithms in an IDE, developing skills like communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, and interpretation, which are vital for employment and academic success.

Big Data & Visualisation

Exploring and analysing big data translates information into insight, revealing opportunities for improved decision-making and better business outcomes. Data visualisation is crucial for making big data comprehensible, allowing the human brain to detect patterns, trends, and meanings in complex data sets. Rapid advancements in this field pose challenges for data specialists to develop the necessary skills and experience to maintain innovation. Both public and private sectors struggle to keep pace with progress, often introducing legislation and norms retrospectively. As data fuels the digital economy, it remains a key topic for organisations, governments, and the public interested in its commercial use, manipulation, and presentation.

This unit introduces students to big data and visualisation concepts used for decision-making. Students will explore industry software solutions for investigating and presenting data, assess the role and responsibilities of data specialists, and examine topics such as data-driven decision-making, data manipulation, automation, and building ethics into a data-driven culture. They will demonstrate their ability to use tools and software to create visual presentations and ensure data compliance. Upon successful completion, students will understand the value of data for decision-making, compare industry-leading tools for data analysis and visualisation, and analyse challenges in building ethical data-driven cultures. This unit prepares students for various roles in the digital sector, developing essential skills for practical experiences with big data and employment.

Cloud Fundamentals

The phrase "it's in the cloud" has become ubiquitous in computing, revolutionising how we use computer services. Storing data and services remotely on the internet has significantly increased availability as virtual services proliferate. The growth in cloud adoption presents challenges for companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises with limited resources, to source cloud expertise. Consequently, individuals skilled in cloud technologies are in high demand. Accessing applications, storage, printing, server functions, and data from almost any device has become the norm, and the ability to scale computing resources according to demand has reduced the need for central computing resources.

This unit aims to develop an understanding of cloud computing fundamentals, including cloud deployment models and the need for cloud computing. Students will appreciate the issues associated with managing cloud service architecture and develop critical awareness of cloud-computing-based projects. Topics covered include networking paradigms, cloud computing fundamentals, architecture and frameworks, deployment models, service models, security, cloud-specific technology, and reviews of Cloud Service Providers (CSPs). Upon successful completion, students will understand cloud computing concepts, architecture, and services, developing essential skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, and interpretation, crucial for employment and academic competence. This unit is designed to be the first in the Cloud Computing qualifications, explaining the fundamentals of cloud computing and its infrastructure.

Software Development Lifecycles

The software development lifecycle is an integrated process aimed at creating high-quality, secure software throughout the development stages. This unit provides students with the knowledge and skills to understand and implement software development lifecycles using appropriate methodologies. Students will learn to make lifecycle decisions at various stages of the development process, examining different lifecycle models to understand their characteristics and suitability for different project environments. Practical skills will be developed through a real software development lifecycle project, enhancing students' confidence in using specific tools and techniques relevant to their chosen methodology.

Topics covered in this unit include iterative and sequential models of software development lifecycles, reference frameworks for capturing conceptual data, feasibility studies, requirement gathering techniques, and activities related to analysis, design, and software implementation. By completing this unit, students will develop essential skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, and interpretation, which are crucial for employment and academic success.

Fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence (AI) & Intelligent Systems

Intelligent Systems are revolutionising various industries by introducing flexibility, quality, and energy efficiency to applications such as transportation, healthcare, education, and defence. Enabled by technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), these systems offer opportunities to gain insights from data and take intelligent actions, enhancing task performance and enabling previously impossible tasks. The growth of AI allows companies to reduce costs, increase productivity, and introduce new products, creating high demand for individuals skilled in AI and its applications.

This unit introduces the science behind machine intelligence and the philosophical debate on simulating human intelligence to solve real-world problems. Students will explore AI types and applications, intelligent agents, and topics like Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Ambient Intelligence, and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms. They will learn about data gathering, validation, processing, and visualisation, and develop skills to study deployed Intelligent Systems while evaluating technical and ethical challenges and opportunities.

Your work will be continually assessed internally throughout the course. The assessment will depend upon the particular module being studied. Typical assessment methods include assignments, developing portfolios and presentations.

The HNC and HND HTQ are widely recognised and valued as higher education university-level qualifications. These programmes are designed to prepare and develop people for advancement in Computing and IT. On achieving the HNC qualification, graduates may continue academic study to HND, or move directly into employment in a range of computing and IT roles. On achieving the HND qualification, graduates may continue academic study to top-up to a BSc (Hons) degree, or move directly into employment in a range of computing and IT roles.

You can apply online via the APPLY NOW button. If after reading this factsheet you are still undecided, please drop into one of our Advice Events, ring Admissions on 01743 653111 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.