The Higher National Certificate (HNC) Digital Technologies (Software Development and Programming), accredited by Pearson, will provide you with the core skills required for a range of careers in digital technologies and develop your understanding of the major impact that digital technologies have on the business environment.
HNC Digital Technologies (Software Development and Programming)
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
Online – Course Details
Study Mode
Online Full Time
Start
21/09/26
18/01/27
End
20/08/27
17/12/27
Day of week
Wednesday or Thursday
Duration
1 Year
Guided Learning Hours
480 hours per year
Self Study Hours
480 hours per year
Fees
£6,000 per year
Home/EU students.
International students not accepted.
Reading College – Course Details
Study Mode
Reading – Full Time
Start
08/09/26
End
16/06/27
Day of week
Wednesday
Duration
1 Year
Contact Hours
480 hours per year
Self Study Hours
480 hours per year
Fees
£6,500 per year
Home/EU students.
International students not accepted.
Employer demand for digital technology skills and knowledge is increasing, and non-digital technology companies are becoming more reliant on digital technology specialists as business requirements evolve. Skills shortages in key areas of the digital economy mean there are many different IT careers available for people with the relevant qualifications and experience. Key growth areas within the IT and computing industry include social and digital media, data protection, cyber security, games design, website development and cloud/mobile technologies. The south-east of England is home to many global IT companies, so you will be well placed for job opportunities and career prospects.
Please note that as programmes are reviewed regularly, the following module list may vary:
- Professional Practice in the Digital Economy (15 credits)
- Innovation and Digital Transformation (15 credits)
- Cyber Security (15 credits)
- Programming (15 credits)
- Big Data and Visualisation (15 credits)
- Networking in the Cloud (15 credits)
- Database Design and Development (15 credits)
- Software Development Lifecycles (15 credits)
ONLINE
This course is delivered online and will consist of ‘live’ (synchronous) workshops and seminars, along with learning materials that you will be guided through and can complete at a time convenient to you.
READING
This course is delivered on campus at Reading College and will consist of lectures, workshops, and seminars, along with learning materials that you will be guided through.
APPLICABLE TO BOTH
You will learn through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. By participating in vocational activities, you will develop key behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. Plus, you’ll be supported by a friendly, committed, and qualified team of lecturers who have both professional and teaching experience.
You will be assessed through a mixture of written assignments, group assessment, peer assessment, portfolio assessment and practice-related coursework. You will also be supported with a wide range of learning resources made available via Activate Learning’s Online Learning Environment (ALO), including access to textbooks, articles, and multimedia content.
Support
You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.
Additional study support
Whether you have a recognised disability, specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas:
- assistive software training
- IT upskilling
- essay planning and structure
- proofreading and editing written work
- bibliographies and referencing
- time management and personal organisation
- revision and exam tips
- presentation techniques
We consider every application individually as part of our commitment to widening access for learners who may not meet traditional academic entry criteria.
Typical UCAS Tariff
Use the UCAS Tariff Calculator to check how your qualifications translate into tariff points.
Normally, entry requires a minimum of 48 UCAS points from your Level 3 qualifications comprised of either:
- a BTEC Level 3 qualification such as an Extended Diploma in Computing, Business, or Creative Digital Media Production.
- a GCE A Level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject, or satisfactory performance across more than one A Level.
- other related Level 3 qualification.
- an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a relevant subject.
- a T Level in a related subject, at Pass or above, or
- an international equivalent to the above qualifications.
In addition, you should have one of the following:
- GCSE English and Maths at grade 4 (C) or above.
- Equivalent qualifications, such as Functional Skills Level 2, may also be accepted.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that their level of English is sufficient for study—normally equivalent to an IELTS score of 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5.
We also accept other recognised English language tests and qualifications that meet the minimum requirements of your course.
Activate Learning is not currently accepting international applicants.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
We welcome applications from people with a wide range of experiences and backgrounds.
If you do not meet the formal entry requirements above but have relevant work experience, training, or alternative qualifications, you may still be eligible to apply through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.
This process allows us to recognise the learning you have gained through professional practice, previous study, or other experiences when we assess your RPL application.
If you need any further advice or guidance, please see our How to Apply for a Higher Education Course, or send an enquiry through our Contact Us page.
Admissions Information
Our Admissions Policy outlines our commitment and responsibilities to applicants, while the Admissions Procedure for Higher Education explains the application and enrolment process.
All applicants are also encouraged to read our Higher Education Terms and Conditions, which provide important information and reference the relevant policies and procedures that apply to applicants and enrolled students. These can be found at the bottom of our Higher Education Policies page.
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be perfectly positioned to further your learning by moving on to study an HND through one more year of full-time study, progress onto study at university or onto employment.
Career opportunities could include becoming a software developer, software tester, software engineer, applications engineer, programmer, or IT architect to name a few.
On successful completion, you will be awarded a Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Digital Technologies (Software Development and Programming) from Pearson EDI
Please note:
Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
*Fee information for European Union (EU) students: If your course starts on or after the 1st August 2021, you will no longer be eligible for financial support from Student Finance England unless you meet one of the following criteria:
- you are able to benefit from the citizens’ rights agreements
- you are an Irish national living in the UK or Republic of Ireland – benefits of Irish nationals under Common Travel Area guidance arrangement will continue
Additional costs include:
Optional trips for work experience, especially if you wish to volunteer overseas, as some of our previous students have done. Additional printing over and above the £10 allowance provided by the college, and the cost of books that you might wish to purchase.
We strongly recommend that you purchase a laptop for your course.
If you need any further information or guidance, please contact us at HE@activatelearning.ac.uk
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read these important documents before applying for this course.