Digital & IT
Students studying a digital & IT course at our Warrington campus will work in our brand new Advanced Creative & Digital Skills (ACDS) Academy inside specialist digital suites, equipped with the latest industry-standard equipment and software.
You will study a web of topics such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), internet of things (IoT) and smart cities, working alongside a range of the industry's top employers including Draw + Code, UKRI and VizBox.
Our digital and ICT courses for adult courses range from cyber security through to level 5 with the HND.
Trips and visits
Our students have participated in a variety of exciting trips to locations including the National Science and Media Museum and the Arcade Club in Bury.
Students have also had the chance to take an exclusive tour behind the scenes of Manchester Airport AeroZone to learn how digital technologies and practices are deployed in various airport systems to manage and enhance customer experience and develop business efficiency.
Industry links
At Warrington & Vale Royal College we have impressive connections with a wide variety of local and national organisations. Our computing and IT department enjoys close links with a number of highly-regarded employers including Barclays and Siemens. In addition to the industry-relevant skills developed throughout your industry placements, you will also develop vital employability skills including communication, customer service, enthusiasm, motivation, problem-solving and attention to detail. This ensures that our students are fully prepared to succeed in the workplace when they leave us.
We regularly host guest speakers for our computing and ICT courses from several well-known employers such as Blue Beck and the NHS, as well as smaller, local businesses such as Winsford Work Zone and Culture Warrington. These events are a brilliant way to get to know about computing and IT in real-world scenarios.
I am
16-18 Years Old
If you studied and enjoyed computing at GCSE or just have a real interest in the ever-changing world of IT and technology, our Level 2 and Level 3 Computing & IT courses may be for you. IT professionals can use their skills to work in a variety of sectors and what's more, with the sector growing at 2.5 times the rest of the economy, IT professionals are in huge demand.
Level 1 Digital Innovation
Full Time
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Level 2 Computing & IT
Full Time
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Level 3 Computing & IT
Full Time
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HND Computing (HTQ)
Full Time
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Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship
Part Time
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Level 3 Information Communications Technician Apprenticeship
Part Time
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T Level Digital Support Services: Network Cabling
Full Time
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I am an
Adult Learner
We offer a wide variety of adult digital and IT courses.
Some start at the very beginning, serving as a computer course for beginners and range from introducing you to social media and digital photography courses to staying safe online with our online security courses. Other accredited IT qualifications offered both part-time and full-time will enhance your CV and possibly help you change your career or secure a promotion, including our various computer programming courses, such as Introduction to JavaScript and Python, which prepare you to go on to further coding courses and our essential digital skills course. Explore our full offerings below.
Advanced Digital Photography
Part Time
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Advanced Essential Digital Skills
Part Time
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Digital Photography: Editing
Part Time
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Get Started with Wix Website Design
Part Time
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HND Computing (HTQ)
Full Time
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Introduction to Digital Photography
Part Time
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Introduction to Essential Digital Skills
Part Time
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Level 1 Award Digital Photography
Part Time
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Level 1 Award in Computer Programming
Part Time
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Level 2 Award in Computer Programming
Part Time
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Level 2 Certificate Digital Photography
Part Time
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Level 3 Certificate in Coding Practices
Online Learning
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Level 3 Data Technician Apprenticeship
Part Time
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Level 3 Diploma Software Development
Online Learning
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Level 3 Information Communications Technician Apprenticeship
Part Time
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Next Steps in Digital Photography
Part Time
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Next Steps in Essential Digital Skills
Part Time
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I am a
Higher Education Learner
If you would really like to pursue a career in computing and IT or a higher-level computing qualification would complement your career, look no further than our higher education computing course. Discover our brand-new Higher Technical Qualification (HTQ) course, HND Computing (HTQ) and gain the skills you need to enter the digital sector, or progress on to further university-level courses.
I am looking for an
Apprenticeship
If you’re looking for an exciting career in IT and wish to earn while you study, completing a Digital & IT Apprenticeship may be the right path for you. Gain valuable experience, whilst expanding your knowledge on a range of key IT topics that will prepare you to either continue your studies to a degree-level apprenticeship or secure employment within the computing sector. Study options include our fantastic Level 3 data technician apprenticeships or our ICT apprenticeship.
Meet our students
Pam, a radio advertiser with a desire to enhance her digital capabilities and keep up with her tech-savvy grandchildren, started studying with us on our Introduction to Digital Skills course before progressing on to the Next Steps course.
Pam tells us that the friendly, helpful tutors at the college are what make learning digital skills so enjoyable. So much so, Pam plans to progress to our Advanced Digital Skills course.
“I feel that as an adult student, I might have been intimidated, but everyone at the college has been so lovely and welcoming. I have my eye on many other courses at the college that I want to enrol in the future!”
I have absolutely no regrets jumping into this field and I would say to anyone thinking about a career in computing or considering this course to just go for it! The modules are really interesting and the tutors are brilliant.”
Alec Peacock previously worked as an Estate Agent but always enjoyed coding in his spare time, so decided to turn his passion into a career by choosing to study the HND in Computing.
Being an adult computing student, Alec was initially concerned about funding the course but says the Admissions Team at college made the process of applying for a student loan extremely simple and the course was a more affordable alternative to a degree.
Alec aspires to progress onto work as a Software Developer in either the finance or gaming industry in the future.
After thoroughly enjoying studying computer science while at Great Sankey High School, Lewis Okell knew he wanted a career in this interesting and in-demand industry, but was not sure exactly which direction to take in this varied sector. He decided to come to Warrington & Vale Royal College after visiting on an open evening, where he learned about how practical and industry-focused the course was, recognising that this would be the perfect next step to suit his learning style and to help him refine his career goals.
“I have been interested in computer science for a long time and knew it would be the right course for me, but I never would have imagined how far I would go with it! I’ve enjoyed my course so much that I have decided to continue my studies and have accepted an offer to study at Edge Hill University.”
With dreams of securing an apprenticeship in the competitive digital world one day, Andrew says that he is well on his way to achieving this goal after studying such a broad range of topics in the first year of his course alone. From programming and data modelling to social media and IT systems, he feels that no two days are the same on this exciting programme and he is learning the skills needed to stand out to future employers.
Now looking forward to completing the second year of his A Level equivalent qualification, Andrew had the following to say about his time at college so far:
"I'm thankful for how supportive my tutors and the Careers Team have been in getting me closer to the career I want to do. It's been amazing to make so many new friends along the way too!"
Meet our tutors
Russell Dyson
Computing & IT Tutor Russell has an extensive background in the IT industry. After gaining his MSc in Information Systems, Russell has worked in the education sector teaching the next generation of IT for a number of years.
Russell is very dedicated to the progression of his students and enjoys watching them develop and grow on their career journey. Using his expertise, Russell likes to give his students real-life scenarios that will help them with both higher study and employment in the future.
Explore our facilities
Explore our facilities
September 2022 sees the launch of our new Advanced Creative & Digital Skills (ACDS) Academy.
Throughout your course you will use cutting-edge PCs optimised for running the latest industry-standard software. As well as a suite of Microsoft (MS) applications including MS Access for database design & building, we use specialist software including; Visual Studio, Autodesk Maya, Unity, Unreal Engine, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, and the full Adobe Creative Suite.
HE students will have access to our virtualisation servers, allowing the experience of building a PC and file servers from scratch, using Windows and Mac operating systems.
