Education College, College, College...

Damn, Where to start guys. My GCSE results day is 365 Days away and forever getting closer. I have decided that I am going to study Software Development (Programming). I am going into my last year of Secondary School and am I looking forward to the last day !!! I have only recently started to learn VB and become interested in programming. I learnt HTML when I was 12. I have decided to look at the Prospectus' of local colleges and what courses they offer. I have decided that this looks like the best option:

COMPUTING: SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT BTEC NATIONAL DIPLOMA LEVEL 3

http://www.hrc.ac.uk/Courses/full_t...etworking (NET)/Comp Software Dev Nat Dip.pdf

What do you guys think? Upon completion I will leave with the equivalent of 3 A-Levels. Not Bad for 2 years work. Has anyone here had a similar course? Also would I be able to go straight into an IT based job with a good salary or do you think I would have to do a Computer Degree to get a good job? Thanks Guys... Appreciated in advance!

 

I think there's a better chance if you went to a sixth form/college and did maths, physics and computing. Then went on to uni and did CS.

Also, have you read the 'my son wants to be be a programmer' thread in hardware & software? Some good books and advice there on what to learn (not VB).

 

Cool. But I really dont want to stay on at sixth form. And I get 3 A-Levels there and actually take a step into the direction that I want.

 

It's a step in the direction you want, but if you choose to switch careers later in life, it might not help you out. This is purely speculation since I don't know much about it, but I'd imagine it would be easier to find a job with a decent degree & A-levels.

 

See being in the situation of going into 6'th form next year and having to have made these choices.

And though this is purely my opinion I cam to the conclusion that it was better not to specialise so early, get a good basis and then specialise after you got your basis. Gives you more choice in the future, and allows for changes in mind which being young (Hey you can't get offended I admit I am to) changing minds is quite possible

If the ramblings make sense.

 

Yeah well If I complete that 2 year course I will get 3 A-Levels and I will come out at 18 and I have a savings account from my parents to fund any education. So I would see then and probably do a degree in programming.

 

Although the BTEC is technically worth three A-levels, I'm guessing (completely) that it looks less impressive than having three actual A-levels. As nath and ramble say I imagine that A-levels are more useful and certainly more versatile. That said I don't really know anything about BTECs.

If sixth form is the thing putting you off, in my experience it was way better and quite different to secondary school.


Quick edit -

A-levels are no different...two year course ending up with 3 maybe 4 A-levels, you'll still be 18 and have that savings account and go on to do a degree...

 

Yeh Mate I understand but I have always been interested in computers and this side of them. If I do change my career I think it will not be a major change and still be involved with computers and my A-Levels which I plan to do will help me if I want to change.

 

Yeah the thing that's put me off 6th form is the lack of good ones locally.

 

Passing a National Diploma is the equivilent of 3 or 4 A-levels anyway, and you get a pretty certificate. Thats what ive just finished and just earned (Well Proud)
College is an enjoyable step, i prefered the college idea to the 6th form way. I mean, 3 days in college, 4 days off from college, i mean, how cool is that.
Ok, i know your in London, but have a look at www.chichester.ac.uk, the Btech National Diploma should be in there, with information, im just not sure where.

Hope this helps

Sam

 

Ya'll smart folk...

I'm going to a community college for graphic design... and then I'll end up being an artistic bum on the streets of Manhattan with mad cardboard sign skills.

 

Thanks Sam. I was going to take Graphics as I am very good at photoshop but I am not a creative a art conscious person so I can make things is PS just not think of what to make.

 

Well if you want to go to Uni you have to get Distinction for everything and im being serious, they won't take you unless you have at least 2 distinction and a merit, I done the BTEC National Diploma in E-Media for a year and come the end of the year, well I told the teacher where to go. Now im doing construction so if you do A-Lvls you can always do what ever you want in Uni relying you get the grades. Plus what would people prefer 3 nice A-lvls or some certificate, that only works for NVQ really. Thats my input to you, I wasted a year doing that ****.

 

For gawd's sake just do the A-Levels man! Statistically the quality of a sixth form has little effect on your grades - if you're clever enough for A's, you'll get them wherever you study. The thing with an A-Level is that you know what you're getting - this diploma thing might be taken seriously for university entry, or it might not. Also, don't forget if you go off and do a diploma in programming and then go to university to study CS you'll just be doing stuff you know for the whole of your first year of uni, which you might think is great because you'll get good marks. However, the first year of uni generally doesn't count towards your final degree, so in fact you'll be wasting a year. Do the A-Levels. You'll have a better chance of getting into the University you want, and you'll know more at the end of your degree than you would with the diploma, as you get to do 2 other A-Levels as well as computing.

Lastly, I know it's a long way off, but consider the University of Southampton for Computer Science. It's absolutely fantastic. Great atmosphere, consistently near the top of the league tables (and 10 out of 10 for job prospects year after year for Computer Science), wonderful faculty and facilities. I just finished a BSc in Artificial Intelligence there, and I'm going back in October to do my MSc in Web Technology.

AH

 

If you're not sure what the BTEC is worth (I wouldn't listen to this 3 A-Levels bull) then find some uni's you'd like to go to and contact them about it. They don't just take A-Levels, if you've got an equivalent then you might get lucky.

Also, with computing BTEC, it's much more likely you'll dabble in both physics and maths but won't get a full understanding like you would at A-Level, that would put you at a disadvantage since most of the people you're competing against will have done those A-Levels.

 

Ok. Thanks Guys. Really Good advice and alot to think about.