Diploma Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals SCQF level 6
This group award has been replaced.
It enters its lapsing period on: 31/10/2023
It finishes on: 31/12/2027
Please see replacement qualifications:
- Diploma Digital Technology: Cyber Security SCQF level 6
- Diploma Digital Technology: Data Analytics SCQF level 6
- Diploma Digital Technology: IT Infrastructure SCQF level 6
- Diploma Digital Technology: IT Support SCQF level 6
- Diploma Digital Technology: Software Development SCQF level 6
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 provides learners with a qualification that will demonstrate their aptitude in this area. This diploma will develop the learner's confidence and awareness of the skills that they have acquired, which they can use for employment and/or further study.
Competence qualifications are first and foremost about what people can do. They go beyond technical skills to include planning, problem solving, dealing with unexpected occurrences, working with other people, and applying the knowledge and understanding that underpins overall competence.This qualification was reviewed in response to feedback received through consultation with delivering centres. The changes which have been introduced to the new qualifications do not involve any change to the overall required credits, mandatory units or qualification structures.
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 is primarily designed for work-based learners undertaking a Modern Apprenticeship in IT and Telecommunications Level 3 developed by the Tech Partnership, as a computer hardware engineer, internet/web developer, apprentice IT systems operator, network planner or professional telecommunications apprentice technician. The diploma assesses work-based competence, together with underpinning knowledge and understanding, to enable learners to progress their IT career in the world of work.
This qualification is available through employers and training providers.
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Why deliver this qualification
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 has been revised to reflect the requirements of the growing IT sector.
Supported by the Scottish Government, this competence-based qualification is part of a Modern Apprenticeship framework.
It enables the learner to demonstrate both underpinning knowledge and performance evidence of competence in a specialised vocational area.
The qualification is based on the current version of National Occupational Standards, defined by the Tech Partnership.
Candidates can progress to a range of courses at a higher level including the Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 8 or an HNC/D in Computing or a related area.
The diploma can be offered within a workplace environment.
The evidence demonstrating achievement of the qualification can be assessed within a workplace environment or, where simulation is used, within a realistic working environment.
Who does this qualification suit
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 is suitable for:
- people in a variety of IT occupational roles in which IT practice, support or management is the major focus of the job and not peripheral to it
- learners who may have just left school
- mature candidates who may have been out of education for some time
- individuals who are currently in employment and who wish to obtain a formal qualification
- people who wish to start their own business
- employers who wish their employees to obtain short, continuing professional development courses
This qualification will provide learners with the technical knowledge and skills to work confidently in their chosen area of IT/telecoms and to complete practical tasks in the workplace. Learners will be able to manage IT software and hardware with confidence in the areas they have studied.
Access
Entry is at the discretion of the centre.
No prior qualifications are required to undertake this qualification, although experience in, or knowledge of, the subject would be an advantage.
Apprenticeships
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 is a mandatory component in the Modern Apprenticeship in IT and Telecommunications Level 3 developed by the Tech Partnership.
Progression
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 could provide progression to:
- the Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 8
- an HNC/HND in Computing or a related area
- employment in the IT sector
Approval
Centres with devolved authority for approval should use their own internal approval process.
Centres without devolved authority will have to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.
Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.
How to assess
Assessment of this diploma will be through a series of theoretical and practical assessments or tasks. Some assessments will be carried out under supervised open-book conditions, others under supervised closed-book conditions.
Each individual unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each unit.
Simulation will be an allowed assessment method for some of the units. When simulation is used, assessors must be confident that the simulation replicates the workplace to such an extent that learners will be able to fully transfer their occupational competence to the workplace and real situations.
Where can you take this course?
Qualification content and delivery tools
Information about the qualification(s)
Qualification Structure
Group award code: GL2R 46 (SCQF level 6 - 96 SCQF credit points)
The Diploma for Information Technology and Telecommunications Professionals at SCQF level 6 consists of three mandatory units.
The following units are mandatory:
- Personal Effectiveness at the level of the qualification
- Health and Safety in IT & Telecoms (SCQF4)
Plus:
- either Customer Care or Personal and Interpersonal Communications at the level of the qualification
Units from different levels can be used within a qualification subject to the overall SCQF qualification levelling rules. In addition, a minimum of 60% of the credits achieved must be at the qualification level. Where a family of units exists at more than one level (eg Systems Architecture) only one unit can contribute to a qualification.
- Qualification Structure (188 KB)
National Occupational Standards
Visit the Tech Partnership to find out about the skills you need with the National Occupational Standards (NOS) for IT users and IT professionals.
Unit information for this qualification is available on our Unit Search.
Modern Apprenticeships
This qualification is a mandatory component of the Modern Apprenticeship in IT and Telecommunications Level 3 developed by the Tech Partnership.
SQA also offers the following components of this apprenticeship:
- F427 04 - Core Skills: Communication SCQF level 5
- F42P 04 - Core Skills: Working with Others SCQF level 5
- F42K 04 - Core Skills: Problem Solving SCQF level 5
- F42G 04 - Core Skills: Information and Communication Technology SCQF level 6
- F42B 04 - Core Skills: Numeracy SCQF level 5
All Core Skills, including ICT, must be separately certified.
For further information on this Modern Apprenticeship, please visit the Tech Partnership site.
Information about delivery, assessment, quality assurance and support material
Assessment strategy
Assessment strategy (61 KB)