This programme is a Higher Technical Qualification which is approved by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education, and developed with employers, a Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) from DN Colleges Group offer an alternative high-quality route for you to gain the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in your career. HTQs are qualification 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 behaviours sought after by employers. The Level 4 units 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 students to study specialist subjects at Level 5 or to enter employment with the qualities necessary for job roles that require some personal responsibility. Students will gain a wide range of knowledge tied to practical skills gained through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. Students are involved in vocational activities that help them to develop vocational behaviours (the attitudes and approaches required for a 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. After studying a Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Digital Technologies students will have sound knowledge of the basic concepts of digital technology. They 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. After completing Level 4 units students can then apply/ progress to Level 5. Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies: The Level 5 units give students the opportunity to specialise in a digital-technology-related occupational area and to progress to degree-level study. The units prepare students to move on to specific areas of digital technologies at Level 6 or to enter employment with the qualities and abilities necessary for roles that require personal responsibility and decision making. Students will be able to develop and apply their own ideas to their studies, to deal with uncertainty and complexity, to explore solutions, demonstrate critical evaluation and use both theory and practice in a wide range of digital technology situations. After studying a Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Digital Technologies students will have a sound understanding of the principles in their area of specialist study and will know how to apply those principles more widely in the area of digital technologies. They will be able to perform effectively in their specialist area.