Who is this qualification for? The Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Information Technology is intended as an Applied General qualification covering 1080 GLH and is equivalent in size to three A Levels. It is designed to be offered to 16–19 learners who are interested in progressing to further study in higher education IT-related disciplines. The qualification gives learners a broad base of knowledge of the IT sector. The optional units enable learners to explore their own choice of areas for further study. Learners could also progress to employment in the IT sector. What does this qualification cover? The objective of this qualification is to give learners the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills in IT. Learners study the relationship between hardware and software, managing and communicating information and data, and the principles of designing and developing digital technologies and processes to support organisations. The additional mandatory unit that this qualification includes is Unit 14: IT Service Delivery (synoptic). This qualification also includes a choice of optional units, covering areas such as data modelling and analytics, mobile internet technologies, creative technologies and enterprise for IT. This will allow progression to a variety of degrees when combined with other suitable Level 3 qualifications. What could this qualification lead to? In addition to the IT sector-specific content outlined above, the requirements of the qualification enable learners to develop the transferable and higher-order skills that are highly regarded by higher education providers and employers. For example, the study of IT particularly encourages development of research and analysis skills, project management and prioritising, effective communications, the synthesis skills of adapting and integrating, and the evaluation skills of assessing, interpreting and validating. As this qualification is equivalent in size to three A Levels, it fully meets the requirements for progression to a wide range of degree programmes in IT and related areas. These include: • BSc in Business Information and Technology • BSc in Digital Technology Solutions • BSc (Hons) in Computer Games Technology • BSc (Hons) in Creative Technology • BSc (Hons) in Information Technology Management for Business • BSc in Computing Forensics • BSc in Computer Networks and Security. Pearson Specification - https://bit.ly/PITSpec Ark Leaflet - https://bit.ly/ArkPITLeaflet