Next Gen update
Apologies for the length of this post but it’s been a while since I last updated you about Computing developments that are part of the Next Gen project.
Computing has been involved in both phases of Next Gen. During phase 1 we developed HNC Computing and HND Data Science and during phase 2, which is the current phase, we’re developing three more HNDs: HND Computer Science, HND Networking & Infrastructure and HND Software Development. At the end of these phases, Computing will have more modernised qualifications than any other subject.
These new qualifications are significantly different from current qualifications. They all have a common core (a 4 credit unit called “Professional Practice”) and a “sector skills” unit (3 credits). Both these units are mandatory. They also have a number of optional industry specialisms, which make up the remaining credits (8 in total). All of the Computing qualifications follow this 4+3+8 model. Next Gen qualifications comprise fewer, larger units (typically 2 or 3 credits), which will result in significantly less time spent on assessment.
HNC Computing is going to be piloted this session in two colleges, after which we’ll finalise it and, hopefully, make it available to all centres (from session 2023/24). One of the big changes that Next Gen brings is grading (Achieved, Merit and Distinction), and it will be great to see how this works in practice during the pilot year.
We’re currently working on the phase 2 qualifications. The Qualifications Development Team has met a couple of times and the core team (comprising the Subject Implementation Manager and the lead developers for each qualification) have been busy over the Summer finalising frameworks. We’ve carried out a great deal of consultation with stakeholders (such as employers and universities) to get to this point.
Here’s one of the qualifications to illustrate some of these points. It’s the framework for HND Computer Science.
- Professional Practice in Computer Science (4 credits).
- Computer Science (3 credits)
- Algorithms & Data Structures (3 credits)
- Applied Mathematics for Computing (2 credits)
- Database Design & Development (3 credits).
The first two units are the common core and sector skills units respectively (mandatory). The remaining units have been selected from the options (for illustration).
We’re about to commence writing the 20 new or revised units that will go into the three new HNDs, and we’re looking for volunteers to write and vet these units.
Please contact Amy if you want to volunteer or find out more about this work.
