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Level 5 HND Computing Course in Leicester

CostAnnual Tuition Fee: GBP6355.00.
Duration2 years
LevelLevel 5
DeliveryClassroom based
Start21 Sep 2026
Study modeFull-time
AttendanceDaytime
Awarding bodyPearson Edexcel awarding body
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About this course

Level 5 BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing for England Course in Leicester. Classes run at Leicester College St. Margaret's Campus, full-time over two years. The course follows a network engineering pathway and carries HTQ (Higher Technical Qualification) status, recognised by employers. You'll study around 14 hours of workshops and lectures each week across 32 weeks per year. Year one builds core computing skills. Year two applies them in a professional, workplace context. The Pearson Edexcel BTEC Higher National Diploma in Computing for England is a well-regarded level 5 computing qualification. Annual tuition fee: £6,355.

Who this course is for

The Higher National Diploma in Computing (Software Engineering) is a full-time two year course awarded by Pearson. The programme is delivered within an approx.14 hour workshop/lecture blended programme with staff contact over a period of 32 weeks. This two year HND in computing leading towards a network engineering pathway is designed to enable you to demonstrate knowledge, skills and behaviours and develop employability skills to attain the HTQ (Higher Technical Qualification) status recognised by employers.

Due to the practical nature of the course, you will be required to have access to an entry-level personal computer running the most current Windows operating system and software development environments like Visual Studio and Cisco Packet Tracer.

What you will learn

  • You'll develop programming skills using environments such as Visual Studio.
  • You'll study networking principles, including transport network design and network management.
  • You'll learn database design and development.
  • You'll explore cloud computing and emerging technologies.
  • You'll cover network security and computer systems architecture.
  • You'll apply maths for computing to technical problem-solving.
  • You'll complete Pearson-set projects, including a planning and a research project.
  • You'll develop professional practice and business process support skills.

How you will learn

You'll study through a blended workshop and lecture programme of approximately 14 hours of staff contact per week over 32 weeks each year. Learning is classroom-based at St. Margaret's Campus. Assessment includes Pearson-set projects (a planning project in year one and a research project in year two), alongside unit assignments covering technical and professional topics across both years.

What you will need to bring

You'll need access to an entry-level personal computer running the most current version of Windows, with software development environments including Visual Studio and Cisco Packet Tracer installed. Leicester College St. Margaret's Campus will confirm anything else you need before you start.

Where next

Jobs you could do

  • Network engineer: design and manage computer networks for organisations.
  • Systems administrator: maintain servers, networks, and IT infrastructure.
  • Cloud support engineer: deploy and support cloud-based services and platforms.
  • Network security analyst: monitor and protect organisational networks from threats.
  • IT support technician: troubleshoot hardware, software, and connectivity issues.
  • Junior software developer: build and test applications in professional environments.
  • IT project coordinator: support planning and delivery of technology projects.

What you could study next

  • Level 6 Bachelor's Degree in Computing or Network Engineering: many universities accept an HND for entry into the final year of a relevant degree, cutting study time significantly.
  • Cisco CCNA Certification: a widely used industry credential for network engineers, complementing the network engineering pathway of this HND.
  • Level 7 Master's Degree in Cybersecurity or IT Management: for those who complete a degree and want to specialise further.
Apply on leicestercollege.ac.uk →
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