Qualification details

Edexcel Level 3 BTEC National Award in Communications Technology

Qualification summary

The BTEC National Award in Communications Technology is designed to equip individuals with the practical skills, knowledge and understanding required for success in the installation, commissioning and maintenance areas of the communications industry. The qualification will also enable progression to BTEC Higher Nationals or undergraduate degree qualifications and professional occupations in electronic engineering, communications engineering and computing.
The qualification will:
• contribute towards the knowledge, understanding and skills requirements for a range of level 3 Communication Technology NVQs
• develop in learners a range of skills, knowledge, and personal qualities essential for career development and progression within the communications industry and related sectors
• provide learners with the necessary knowledge and skills concerning health, safety and welfare, the environment and sustainability within the communications sector
• focus on the practical application of knowledge and the development of the work related skills required for employment within the communications technology sector
• enable learners to make an immediate contribution in employment

Qualification details

500/1827/9
3
VRQ - Vocationally-Related Qualification
Accreditation start date:
01/09/2007
Operational start date in centres:
01/09/2007
Accreditation end date:
31/12/2010
Certification end date:
31/12/2013
For information on the approval of qualifications for funding in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, see the links to DCSF, DIUS, DCELLS, DELNI and DENI below.

When undertaking a qualification that does not appear on the governments' lists as eligible for funding for specific age ranges, users must be aware of legal requirements. Not all qualifications are suitable for all age ranges.
For further information on 14-19 qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DCSF Section 96 website.

For further information on 19+ qualifications offered in England, please refer to the DIUS Section 97 website.
For further information on Wales, visit the DCELLS website.
For further information on Northern Ireland, visit the DELNI and DENI websites.
English
The BTEC Nationals in Communications Technology offer progression opportunities in and to employment within the communications sector and related industries. The qualification will also provide opportunities for progression to the BTEC National Certificate and Diploma in Communications Technology, Higher Nationals, Foundation Degrees and other communications engineering HE courses.
Telecommunications Technician
  • 06 Information and Communication Technology
    • 06.1  ICT Practitioners
360
360
Pass/Merit/Distinction
Coursework
E-assessment
Multiple Choice Examination
Oral Examination
Portfolio of Evidence
Practical Demonstration / Assignment
Practical Examination
Written Examination
All units are assessed individually; the final grade is an aggregate of the unit grades achieved in the units. There is no holistic assessment of the qualification.
Centres are responsible for implementing quality control procedures (internal verification). These procedures are supported by an Edexcel External Verification system of quality control and National Standards Sampling.
The BTEC National Award in Communications Technology consists of two core units plus four specialist units. A minimum of two specialist units must be selected from specialist group 1. The remaining specialist units can be chosen from either group 1 or group 2.
  • A  -  Mandatory core units
  • B  -  Specialist units - group 1
    A minimum of two units must be selected from group 1.
    • F/500/1460 - Maintaining Computer Systems
    • H/500/1211 - Electrical and Electronic Principles
    • Y/500/1187 - Health, Safety, Risk Assessment and Welfare in the Engineering Workplace
    • K/500/6068 - Communications Workshop Practice
    • M/500/6069 - Telecommunications Principles
    • H/500/6070 - Access Network Techniques and Applications
    • K/500/6071 - Core Network Techniques
    • M/500/6072 - Telecommunications Systems
    • T/500/6073 - Fault Diagnosis and Maintenance of Communications Equipment
    • J/500/6076 - Radio Communications Principles and Applications
    • F/500/6075 - Telephony Voice Systems Operation
  • C  -  Specialist units - group 2
    • K/500/1436 - Computer Systems
    • J/500/4327 - Network Management
    • D/500/4284 - Network Basics (Cisco CCNA1)
    • H/500/1158 - Business Systems for Technicians
    • D/500/1577 - Principles and Applications of Electronic Devices and Circuits
    • L/500/1817 - Construction and Applications of Digital Systems
    • A/500/6074 - Communications Equipment Installation Techniques
    • L/500/6077 - Radar System Principles