HNC Cloud Computing

The Higher National Certificate (HNC) in Cloud Computing is a one-year course to enable you to demonstrate a sound knowledge of the foundational concepts of cloud computing, including hands-on practical experience and with specific emphasis on roles in cloud support, cyber security and software development.

The course provides you with the opportunity to be able to communicate accurately and appropriately and gain the qualities needed for employment. You will broaden your experience and meet the challenging targets within the cloud computing industry.

You’ll learn from a well-rounded curriculum in cloud computing. The knowledge and skills acquired on the programme link directly to the vocational context and will give you the range of practical and technical skills required by the specialist industries. These include (but are not exclusive to): cloud infrastructure, cloud development and cloud security theory and practice.

The course is highly focused and designed to equip you with the skills you will need to work within the many areas of the cloud computing industry. In today’s businesses demand for the ability to have cloud-based computer systems, which operate on a global scale provide an opportunity for you to acquire careers in a growing and exciting industry.

Today’s businesses demand the ability to have cloud-based computer systems, which operate on a global scale. You’ll learn from a well-rounded curriculum in cloud computing, cloud infrastructure, cloud development and cloud security theory and practice, thus maximizing your career potential. 

As this programme is offered on a full-time basis, over a short timescale of one academic year, it is ideally placed to provide retraining opportunities for those industry professionals who may have recently fallen out of employment due to the rapidly changing landscape of retail outlets and impacts of the global pandemic.  

You will take a total of 120 credits.

Please note that some modules are mandatory:

• Cloud Fundamentals
• Networking in the Cloud
• Security in the Cloud
• Programming
• Database Design and Development in the Cloud
• Deploying and Operating in the Cloud (Pearson Set Project)
• Professional Practice (Optional)
• Maths for Computing (Optional)

There are a variety of options to allow entry onto the Higher National Certificate Cloud Computing programme, these include:

• 48 UCAS Points
• BTEC Level 3 qualification in Computing/IT
• GCSE in English and Maths A* to C grade and/or 9 to 4
• GCSE level profile that demonstrates strong performance in a relevant subject or an adequate performance in more than one GCSE subject. This profile is likely to be supported by GCSE grades at 9 to 4.
• Other related Level 3 qualifications

We welcome applications from mature students without formal qualifications for these courses or from mature students whose Level 3 qualifications were gained more than 5 years ago.

If this applies, there will be an interview before acceptance on the HNC course based on previously gained skills and experience.

The interview will consider your prior formal qualifications, and enable you to discuss evidence of experience gained through employment or other verifiable source.

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. 

Care Leavers or Young Carers

We want students from all backgrounds to have the opportunity to go to University. If you have spent three months or more in local authority care OR are a young carer, you will be eligible for a contextual offer. This is a grade reduction of 1-A Level grade below our standard entry requirements. For example, a standard offer of CCC, would become CCD. MMM at Level 3 Extended Diploma would become MMP. To apply we advise that you tick the box on your UCAS application which identifies you have spent time in care and to help identify you as eligible for our contextual offer.

A variety of teaching, learning and assessments will be used emphasising the wide range of technical and computing skills in the specialism of Cloud Computing. 

Assessment is centred on the practical and professional skills required by the industry, and therefore you specifically focus on deriving a solution to a specified problem through researching, analysing and evaluating the issue. This creates a workload which is primarily practical, but will be substantiated through written work such as reports and essays. Group work is also used to promote transferable skills where appropriate. 

Each module is formally assessed through, for example, group projects, essays, assignments or briefs, presentations, group presentations, portfolio building, self-assessments and peer assessments. This formal assessment will count towards your module mark and feedback is usually given within 3 weeks following the submission of your formal submission of work.

Additionally, some lecturers will provide informal feedback, for example, following an examination they may choose to work through the exam paper in a tutorial. It should be noted that feedback is part of the ongoing learning cycle which is not limited to written feedback. Other forms of feedback include one-to-one meetings with a personal tutor, dissertation and project supervision meetings, a lecturer responding to learner questions or responses during topic or situation discussions.

Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your module tutor.

The learning environment and facilities could include lecture theatres, classrooms, technology suites, laboratories and workshops, library and skills labs, art and photography studios, small group and quiet zones. Learning methods will vary according to the programme of study but will include lectures and group tutorials. In addition, seminars, field trips, work placements, role play or scenario activities, laboratory and workshop practical, demonstrations, guest lectures, discussions and debates all contribute to the learning experience to support the acquisition of subject specific skills and knowledge and the development of transferable and employment related skills.

You should typically expect to have around 15 contact hours per week if you are studying full time.

In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor.

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course.  The team could include senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.  You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

Students who successfully complete this qualification may progress onto further study or seek graduate employment. 

You may choose to progress onto our HND in Cloud Computing (Subject to Validation) and subject to student demand.