Advanced Diploma in Computing, Advanced Diploma, at AAS College

Gain full understanding of computing tools, techniques and practices across a wide range of application areas.

The SQA Advanced Diploma in Computing: Technical Support and AAS College provide learners with a progression route into employment. This SQA Advanced Diploma covers a range of specialist technical skills and knowledge in using and supporting computer systems. It will give learners vocational and technical computing skills that will enable them to work in an IT-related role.

The course covers all the fundamental aspects of technical support, including in-depth knowledge of operating systems, networks, hardware, and software development — as well as professionalism, ethics and team working in computing.

Aims:

The SQA Advanced Diploma in Computing: Technical Support award has a range of aims relating to academic and vocational progression. The principal aim of the award is to prepare the candidates for employment in IT technical support. The general aims of this award are to:

Develop candidates’ knowledge and skills in planning, developing and evaluating.
Develop employment skills, particularly relating to the IT industry.
Enable progression within the SCQF.
Develop study and research skills.
Develop learning and transferable skills (including Core Skills).
Provide academic stimulus.
Support candidates’ continuing professional development.
Update the contents of the award to reflect current professional practices and technologies.
Update the contents of the award to incorporate best practice in assessment, including a reduction in time spent on assessment and maximizing the use of e-assessment.
Maximize flexibility (while maintaining coherence) in qualification design to permit centers to customize the award to their local needs.
Reduce the academic level of the award (in terms of SCQF levels).
Produce Units that are able to embrace external changes without regular updates.

More specific aims of the award are:

Produce Units that are compatible with a wide range of vendors.
Prepare learners for employment in an IT or Computing post at technician or professional level in a technical support role.
Equip learners with a range of specialist technical support skills and knowledge in the use and support of computer systems.
Prepare learners for progression to further study on HE Computing courses.
Develop in learners an awareness of professional IT issues such as legal and ethical considerations.

Learning activities

Lectures, Tutorials, Study packs, Problem-based scenarios, Case studies, Group/team work, Online materials, IT based teaching materials, Projects, Quizzes, Research and presentation, of findings to fellow students, Role play, Short-response questions, multiple choice questions, Create questions for other students (with answers), etc.

Employability

Upon successful completion of this course, graduates are able to move into a wide variety of areas within the Computing/IT industry. The SQA Advanced Diploma in Computing: Technical Support is designed to lead to employment as:

IT Support or operations technician
Computer installation and maintenance engineer
IT user support technicians
Network Support administrator
IT and Telecoms engineer/IT and Telecoms technician

DIPLOMA TO DEGREE - A Pathway to University and Further Study

SQA Advanced Qualifications do not just qualify for career development they can also enable advanced entry into many undergraduate degree programmes in universities and Higher Education Institutions across the world.

Learners can study in their own country before progressing onto universities in their own country, region or abroad to complete a degree, entering directly into third year. This option can be a cost effective route to studying abroad and achieving a degree at an international Higher Education Institution.

We make this journey as smooth as possible through our Diploma to Degree programme. SQA has collaborated and set up articulation agreements with a number of highly regarded international institutions in countries such as the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and New Zealand covering various progression models including online delivery.

These institutions recognise the SQA Advanced Diploma for advanced entry and provide students with a quality learning experience.

COURSE STRUCTURE

Programme at a glance

SQA Advanced Diplomas are made up of 240 SCQF credit points, at SCQF level 8, and usually take two years to complete

YEAR 1