OCR National First Award in ICT Level 2

What will I study at Key stage 4?

There are two units in the course, which are equivalent to one full GCSE:

Unit 1: ICT Skills

In this unit you will develop skills and learn how to use a variety of ICT Applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentation and internet software and systems. You will also learn about techniques of file management, how to use the internet and email for communicating and research information.

Plus one from

Unit 20: Web site animation

In this unit you will develop a knowledge and understanding of how to design, produce and test a short animation, which is fit for purpose.

Unit 21: Computer graphics

In this unit you will develop their knowledge of different types of computer graphics that can be used in web pages.

What assessments will I do?

Each unit has a number of assignments, which you are required to complete to produce a portfolio of evidence. There is no exam for this particular course it is entirely coursework based. However, it must be noted that it requires students to work consistently across the two years of the course, leaving work until the end is not a successful strategy!

Why should I do ICT?

The course provides the essential ICT based skills required to support your work at school and for the future. All students need to be ICT competent for life and work in the 21st century.

What courses or employment can I progress to at the end of my course?

Students gaining an OCR National First Award in ICT will have access to a range of career and further education opportunities. You will use a variety of skills throughout the course, including collecting, interpreting data, communicating your findings in different ways, identifying and developing links between the different parts of the subject. These skills are in great demand and are highly valued by employers and Further Education.

If you wish to continue studying ICT, you may consider an Advanced level in Applied ICT, or Advanced level Computing, or one of the related BTEC National course such as ICT Practitioner or Telecommunications. There are a large variety of higher education courses that are based around computing, communications and ICT.

Alternatively, an OCR National First Award in ICT is an ideal qualification if you wish to go straight into employment, because ICT is a key part of business and industry today.
Some areas of employment have further learning opportunities within them, for example a Modern Apprenticeship.