WHY THIS COURSE: Relevant This course is the first in the new wave of AAQ (Alternative Assessment Qualifications) aiming to modernise the vocational courses on offer. The specification is fully up to date for first teaching from September 2025 and the skills taught are industry applicable. The course will equip students with fundamental knowledge to move them on to computing based careers or into higher education. Practical To complete the Extended Certificate students will complete 3 internal coursework units that make up more than half of the overall grade. The coursework units follow the structure of design, prototype, create, test, evaluate and are completed through a clear assessment method with discrete criteria that students work through to achieve their grades. Creative Unlike A Level Computer Science, this qualification requires students to exercise both their technical knowledge and their creative skills in a more realistic-to-industry way. Students will be required to create interfaces using design guidelines and use their creativity to design fully functional and aesthetically pleasing websites and video games. The work produced can act as a portfolio for applications to jobs and universities and students will be encouraged to participate in national competitions such as the BAFTA Young Game Designers award. Skills developed -Application/Software development -Problem solving -Interface design -Computer programming -Video Game design -Cyber security -Project planning -Communication -Accessibility needs STUDENT PROFILE: A successful CAN CAD student is someone interested in producing advanced interactive products for computers according to the needs of a client. Students should enjoy video games and have a desire to learn more about the creation process behind their favourite video game, software, or website. Students will require both logical thinking and creative design skills as they will be expected to produce practical prototype products that will involve considerable independent work outside of lesson hours. PROGRESSION: This course sets students up for further study of Computer Science or IT at university, including courses related to Software Development and Game Design or AI. In addition, the core skills learned in this course can be used to support students on Level 4 and higher Degree apprenticeships in a computing related field. Knowledge of computing is relevant in many career paths, including finance, business, marketing, public sector, schools, construction, engineering, film and animation.