Computing Level 3 AAQ

Step 1: Apply

Step 2: Interviews and taster events

As part of your application you will be invited to book an interview, to discuss your chosen course, where you will meet with an academic tutor from your chosen area of study for an informal discussion about your course choices, to ensure you have chosen the best course for your future ambitions.

This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and discuss anything about the course that you are unsure about. Please ensure you check your confirmation email for full details, so you do not miss your appointment.

You are initially only able to book an interview for your first choice course, please let us know if you would subsequently like to be able to book interviews for other courses by emailing admissions@paston.ac.uk

Step 3: Offer

This stage provides you with an outcome of your recent interview, which will confirm if you have been made an offer of a place on your chosen course.

All offers are provisional until the point of enrolment and most of our course offers are conditional, meaning there is entry criteria you need to meet before enrolling. This will be outlined in your offer letter.

Sometimes we are unable to offer you a place on your chosen course. If this happens the reasons will be discussed with you at your appointment and we will look at alternative options with you. We will be in contact to confirm the outcome and what to do next. We also have a team of specialist Course Advisers who are more than happy to look at alternative options with you and answer any questions you may have.

Step 4: Enrolment

Enrolment is the final stage before starting your course with us and takes place within the last two weeks of August. We require you to be available to attend your appointment in person at college, so we can complete all the required steps to enrolling you on your chosen course.

We may ask you to bring some documents with you so please read your enrolment invitation carefully.

Computer technology impacts almost every part of our lives and this new Level 3 AAQ course has been designed to reflect the demands of today’s rapidly changing computing environment.

This course includes a practical focus supporting you to develop critical thinking skills to problem solve and develop software. You will explore how to safeguard information systems and examine human-computer interaction. You will cover four units to give you a firm grounding in computing. You will explore programming fundamentals, computer network security and encryption, human-computer interaction, and practical programming. The first two units will be assessed through exams, while the others will be completed through assignment work.

Our computing room features both high specification computers with large screens that are used for programming and software development, as well as older computers which you can take apart and set-up to form small networks. We also have a number of Single Board Computers and microcontrollers. Throughout the two years you will hear from visiting speakers sharing their experience and go on a trip to the Centre for Computing History in Cambridge. You will also have the chance to learn from local employers about computing-based career opportunities, such as Aviva, Norfolk Police and Farrows who have previously delivered talks and workshops for students.

This course needs to be taken alongside two A Levels or one A Level and a second AAQ qualification.

The first two units will be assessed by written exam and are externally set and marked. The other units are assignment based (like coursework) and although are marked internally, they follow a Pearson Set Assignment Brief (PSAB).

You will need to achieve a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English language and maths.

This qualification could support you to progress to a computing degree or an Apprenticeship. You could explore degree-level courses in areas such as software engineering, computer science, or computer games and animation.

This course could be a stepping stone to employment in roles such as software engineer, business analyst, systems analyst, network engineer, technical consultant, web developer and software tester.