Information Technology - Level 3 National Extended Diploma

This course will be delivered at the new Centre for Applied Technology in Soho, in the heart of London's Digital and Creative economy.  This is an exciting new addition to Westminster Kingsway College, opening in September 2024.

Our bespoke building will provide unparalleled facilities tailored for the creators and innovators of tomorrow, enabling learners to hone their craft on industry-standard equipment and develop the skills that the industry desperately needs.

The centre boasts industry-leading equipment and state-of-the-art training spaces including:

• Green Screen Studio
• Animation Studio
• Virtual Production Suite
• Edit, Grade, Dub and Voice-Over Studio
• Podcast Studio
• TV Studio
• Control Room
• Lecture Theatre
• Comprehensively equipped Alienware animation studio

The repurposed Soho Centre will act as a beacon for world-class Creative and Digital sector provision, providing a talent pipeline of qualified and experienced individuals to access the fantastic career opportunities in these sectors.

This course has been carefully developed to provide you with the necessary skills, experience, and knowledge to specialise in creative computing, procedural programming, and IT. It will provide you with a solid foundation in computer science, network intelligence and user experience technologies, laying the groundwork for a related pathway at university or in the workplace.

The content of the course has been developed in collaboration with employers, ensuring that the content is up to date. You will be using our state-of-the-art computer facilities. Our academic staff have a vast working knowledge of computer technology in the industry. We work closely with AWS (Amazon Web Services), taking part in their enterprise activities and competitions and visiting the renowned AWS Summit every year. We also collaborate with tech companies such as Microsoft and Google, learning how they use IT systems, and attending masterclasses and QandA sessions with industry experts.

In addition, we visit cutting-edge exhibitions and network with industry partners and former students to learn from their career, apprenticeship and university experiences. You will have the opportunity to visit leading universities and the possibility of work experience placements.

Extended Diplomas have two one-year programmes. You need to finish the first year before moving on to the second.

You will learn:

• Programming
• Cyber Security
• Computer Games Development
• IT Service Delivery and Technical Support
• 2D and 3D Graphics
• Social Media in Business
• Website and Mobile Apps Development among other units

You will need:

• Four GCSEs at grade 4 or above, including English language and Math or an equivalent Level 2 qualification at Merit

All applicants must have an interview to confirm that the course is suitable for them.

The course is delivered as a combination of theory and practical so, you will be assessed through external exams for core units set by the exam board, coursework, and presentations.

Aged 16-18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August prior to the start date of your course and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your programme then your study with us will be free. Please see here for the documents you will need to show us.

Some courses will have other associated costs, such as for specialist materials and trips. Many of our students are eligible for financial support, see here for details.

This course will help you to move on to higher-level courses, such as university degrees, apprenticeships, or a job. Many of our students go on to a degree level course such as software engineering, computer science, cyber security, app development, among others.

Toby has been a Lecturer in Information Technology, Digital Media, and Creative Media at Westminster Kingsway College since October 2016. He is highly skilled and holds a BSc (Hons) in Computing at South Bank University and a PGCE (FE) at Greenwich University.

Before this, he served as an IT Lecturer at institutions like the Fashion Retail Academy and Samsung Digital Academy at Newham College, where he started teaching in 2007. He has taught various subjects, including programming, web design, multimedia, and digital marketing.

Toby has a wide range of experience working with learners of all abilities including working with those who have no previous qualification to working with those studying higher education.

Beyond his teaching endeavours, Toby has worked as an IT systems manager and developer, known for his expertise in web-based educational services. He has also been involved in consultancy, web development, hosting, and IT maintenance.

Renata holds a BSC (Honours) in Public Relations combined with Psychology, an MA in Marketing, an MSc in Computing, and a PGCE and is working towards their PhD in Education.

Renata has been a Further Education and Higher Education lecturer at Westminster Kingsway College for the past 17 years. Her professional background was based in various IT roles within the banking, law and insurance organisations in the UK and abroad. During that time, Renata’s accomplishments ranged from boosting productivity to reshaping and improving IT service delivery through a positive corporate image. 

Renata had the privilege of being an IT mentor for more than 20 years and inspired several mentees to increase their technical abilities. Her academic work has involved computing teaching at Levels 2, 3, 4 and 5 within a vast array of academic institutions. Renata has recently contributed to a chapter in a book on gender impact in the computing field and strives to make a difference for young people who are still exploring their strengths, promoting social mobility and personal growth.

Jake joined Westminster Kingsway College as a student in the Games and Animation Course in 2012. He studied Games Technology at Bournemouth University, gaining a Bachelor's Degree. In 2022, he joined the teaching team at Westminster Kingsway College. 

Jake holds a BSc Hons in Games Technology from Bournemouth University.

Jake's interests include 3D Modeling, Game Design, Perspective Drawing, and Architecture.

The teachers listed may change, these shown are an example of the teachers who teach on these programmes.