Information and Communication Technology
Level of study AQA AS/ A2
What is ICT?
Information and communications technology (ICT) is an increasingly powerful
means to enhance our abilities to think, to learn, to communicate and to use
our brains creatively and logically. The AQA AS level specification is designed
to prepare students for the challenges of working with people, technology and
systems in modern organisations. Candidates can expect to leave with vastly
improved technological skills necessary for communicating with others.
Specification of the course
Year 1
As Examination 5521
Module 1
Examination 1 ¾ hours 30% of the total AS level or 15% towards A2
Short answer and structured questions
Module 2
Examination 1 ¾ hours 30% of the total AS level or 15% towards A2
Short answer and structured questions
Module 3
One Project 40% of the total AS level or 20% towards A2
Year 2
A2 Examination 6521
Module 4
2 hours 15% of the total A Level mark
Short answer, structured questions and an essay
Module 5
2 hours 15% of the total A Level mark
Short answer, structured questions and an essay
Advanced Award Module 6
One Project 20% of the total A Level mark
6521 The project will require candidates to identify and research a realistic
problem for a real end-user and develop an information system
What topics do you study?
Module 1 (Information: Nature, Role and Context) and Module 2 (Information
Systems within Organisations) require candidates to learn many of the
concepts underpinning the use of ICT in organisations. Both examinations
require short but precise answers to questions. For Module 3, candidates will
be required to undertake a project. For this project candidates will be
expected to tackle a task related problem which will have a limited scope and
will be a self-contained problem. The solution will be based on the facilities of
one piece of generic software but candidates are encouraged to use other
software tools and objects as appropriate to complete their solution.
Approximately 16 hours of study is dedicated to training candidates in the
advanced features of the chosen software before undertaking this project.
For the A2 Module 6, candidates will be required to undertake a project. The
project will require candidates to identify and research a realistic problem for
which there must be a real end-user. (Candidates are not permitted to be their
own end-user). There is a key requirement for independent learning in this
project and therefore this level of study would not be suitable for those with
limited self-motivational skills. Project work is supported with Module 4
Information Systems within Organisations and Module 5 Information: Policy,
Strategy and Systems.
The school currently studies Microsoft Office 2003 applications and
Macromedia products and offers advanced level of study in both web and
database design.
What facilities do we have?
ICT is currently taught in a purpose built room with 33 high specification
workstations less than 18 months old. The school has over 140 workstations
available to students in various locations. All students have secure active
accounts with broadband internet access.
Is this course suitable for me?
The A/AS specifications in Information and Communication Technology has
been developed to enable students who have followed a course in the
National Curriculum Information Technology to continue their studies at a
higher level. It could enhance career opportunities or provide a coherent,
satisfying and worthwhile course of study for students who do not progress to
further study in the subject. A requirement is that students have good
qualifications in ICT at GCSE level before undertaking this course. However
exceptional candidates will be considered if they require this qualification to
complement others.
To find out more about this course and how this qualification supports other
course options, contact Mr Pearson Head of ICT.