The Pearson HND in Digital Technologies (Data Analytics pathway) is a higher technical qualification (HTQ) that helps you develop as a professional, self-reflecting individual, able to meet the demands of employers. This programme as a Higher Technical Qualification is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and developed with employers.
HND Digital Technologies (Data Analytics Pathway) HTQ
DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES
ONLINE – COURSE DETAILS
Study Mode
Online Full Time
Start
21/09/26
18/01/2027
End
20/08/28
17/12/2027
Day of week
Wednesday or Thursday
Duration
2 Years
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
Full Time
Start
08/09/26
End
18/08/28
Day of week
Wednesday
Duration
2 Years
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.
The Pearson HND in Digital Technologies (Data Analytics pathway) is a higher technical qualification (HTQ) that helps you develop as a professional, self-reflecting individual, able to meet the demands of employers. This programme as a Higher Technical Qualification is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education and developed with employers.
A Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) from Activate Learning provides an alternative high-quality route for you to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your career. HTQs are qualifications at Level 4 or Level 5, including Higher National Certificates (HNCs), Higher National Diplomas (HNDs) and Foundation Degrees, and are approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education to enable students to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviour sought after by employers.
The units covered in Year 1 lay the foundation of learning by providing a broad introduction to digital technologies and to a range of digital technology specialist functions. This develops and strengthens core skills, while preparing you to study specialist subjects during the second year at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility. You will gain a wide range of knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. You will be involved in vocational activities that help you to develop vocational behaviour (the attitudes and approaches required for competence) and transferable skills. Transferable skills are those such as communication, teamwork, research and analysis, which are highly valued in higher education and the workplace. You will be competent in a range of subject-specific skills as well as general skills and qualities relevant to key areas of digital-technology-related business.
You will study sixteen units in total:
Year 1
- Professional Practice in the Digital Economy This unit will provide you with a foundation for good practice in a variety of contexts and an opportunity for you to examine the evolution and impact of digital technologies on work environments.
- Innovation & Digital Transformation – you will look in this unit at a number of tools and techniques that organisations use to transform and become more innovative in their approach. These include frameworks and related elements such as operational agility, culture, leadership, customer experience, and integration of digital technology.
- Cyber Security this unit has been designed to develop your knowledge and understanding in relation to cyber threats and vulnerabilities, cyber defence techniques and incident response. Students will explore fundamental principles as well as leading-edge concepts, terminologies, models and hardening methods. Students will assess the types of malicious activity and potential targets, and the role everyone has in maintaining cyber resilience.
- Programming this unit introduces you to the core concepts of programming, along with an introduction to algorithms and the characteristics of programming paradigm.
- Big Data & Visualisation this unit introduces you to the concepts of big data and visualisation and how this is used for decision making. Students will explore the industry software solutions available for investigating and presenting data, before assessing the role and responsibility of data specialists in the current environment.
- Networking in the Cloud the aim of this unit is to give you a wider background knowledge of cloud networking principles, operational principles, protocols, standards, security considerations and the systems associated with a range of networking technologies. It will give you the underpinning knowledge of the principles of networks and supports a range of other units in the qualification.
- Database Design & Development this unit will give you the opportunity to develop an understanding of the concepts and issues relating to database design and development. It will also provide the practical skills needed to be able to translate that understanding into the design and creation of complex databases.
- Data Analytics this unit introduces you to the theoretical foundation of data analytics and arrange of data analytic processes and techniques to provide hands-on experience to enhance your skills. Topics included in this unit are data analytic terminologies, types of data analytics, data exploration and visualisation, understanding data with descriptive, predictive and prescriptive analytics.
Year 2
- Business Intelligence in this unit you will be introduced to a range of tools, techniques and technologies for acquiring data and processing this into meaningful information that can be used to support business functions and processes. You will also examine the concept of business processing in terms of data capture, conversion and information output. You will be required to define the tools and technologies associated with business intelligence functionality.
- Internet of Things this unit will introduce you to the role, basic concepts and benefits of IoT in the design and development process of computer applications. The key aim of the unit is to enhance understanding of the methodology, terminology and benefits of IoT in the design and development of software applications.
- Emerging Technologies in this unit you will be introduced to the role, benefits, disadvantages and potential outcomes that emerging technologies have in the development of software applications and business practices. The aim of the unit is to enhance your understanding of the current types, terminology, advantages, disadvantages, potential impact and benefits of emerging technologies.
- Risk Analysis and System Testing – this unit introduces you to prioritising testing software features according to risk of failure, evaluated as a function of criticality or importance and impact of failure.
- Applied Analytical Models in this unit you will be introduced to applied analytical models used in business to discover, interpret and communicate meaningful patterns of data held in silos or data warehouses, and to derive knowledge to gain competitive advantage.
- Business Information Technology Systems the aim of this unit is to enhance your understanding of contemporary business information technology (IT) systems and how organisations develop and continuously review their IT strategy in order to gain and maintain competitive advantage. You will explore the areas of business that benefit from the support of IT systems and how organisations are using IT as a driver for business improvement.
- Work-based Learning in the Digital Economy this unit will provide you with a framework and the opportunity to reflect on and contextualise the learning you gain from working in the industry. Incoordination with tutors and an employer, you will define the scope, duration, and content of your expected work-based learning experience. Throughout the period of you work based learning experience, you will be expected to record their experience and reflect on your learning.
- Digital Sustainability through this unit you will gain a wide range of knowledge and understanding of the issues and topics associated with sustainability and low impact digital technology solutions. You will also explore the interdisciplinary context of sustainability and how the development of a low carbon economy is essential in the digital technology sector.
The HND will also help you develop your academic writing and research skills providing you with the opportunity develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving.
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.
On successful completion of this course, you can progress to on to a ‘Top Up’ BSc(Hons) degree (subject to meeting entry requirements).
Career opportunities could include becoming a Data Analyst.
Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years for new students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
There are a variety of funding options available to help finance your studies. If you are a UK (Home) student, you don’t have to pay your tuition fees up front; the government provides loans to cover your full tuition fee. You may also be eligible for a maintenance loan to help cover living costs. Alternatively, your fees may be paid by your employer, or we could arrange a payment schedule if you are paying your own fees.
Additional costs
Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget £100 a year additional costs such as for stationary to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres either physically on campus or in the majority of cases online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to £60 each.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Please read these important documents before applying for this course.