England.  Change location

Certificate of Higher Education in Computing and Engineering - Learning outcomes

Educational aims

Professionals working in the computing and engineering industries bring many kinds of expertise to their work. The aim of this certificate is to equip you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need to underpin a career in either of these sectors. As well as developing your knowledge and understanding of the fundamental technologies and techniques in computing and engineering, and the issues involved in their application, it will also:
  • enable you to keep ahead in a rapidly changing subject area, by helping you to develop as an independent learner
  • develop relevant skills in communication and mathematical methods
  • imbue the qualities that come with being a student in any discipline: specialist knowledge, intellectual self-confidence and independence, analytical ability and the life-long learning skills needed to keep up with fast-changing technologies
  • enable you to apply your learning in your private, social and professional life
  • give you a sound grasp of the key concepts of computing and engineering
  • develop your skills in problem solving, programming, evaluation and testing.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On completion of this qualification, you’ll have knowledge and understanding of:

  • the fundamental principles, concepts and techniques underlying computing and engineering
  • a range of situations in which computing systems are used, the ways in which people interact with them, and the possibilities and limitations of such systems
  • an awareness of major trends in computing and engineering and of the implications of these trends.

Cognitive skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • apply and critically evaluate key computing and engineering concepts in a range of contexts
  • select and apply techniques and tools for abstracting, modelling, problem solving, and testing computing systems and engineering systems and their components, and be aware of the limitations involved.

Practical and/or professional skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • analyse, evaluate and/or test computing systems and/or engineering solutions, using appropriate simulation and modelling tools where appropriate
  • plan and organise yourself and your work appropriately, including keeping systematic records of work in progress and outcomes
  • identify and address the ethical, social and legal issues that may arise during the development and use of computing systems and engineering systems
  • use appropriate professional tools to support your work.

Key skills

On completion of this qualification, you’ll be able to:

  • communicate information, arguments, ideas and issues clearly and in appropriate ways; bearing in mind the audience and the purpose of your communication
  • work independently, planning, monitoring, reflecting on and improving your own learning
  • find, assess and apply information from a variety of sources, using information technology where necessary
  • select and use accurately, appropriate mathematical and analytical techniques to solve problems.

Teaching, learning and assessment methods

You’ll learn independently, using the following types of material, provided by us:

  • printed teaching texts
  • online teaching texts
  • multimedia packages
  • directed readings from textbooks and papers
  • specialised software tools.

We’ll support your learning with:

  • self-assessment questions and exercises, included in the teaching texts
  • programming tasks, computer-based investigations and open-ended project work
  • feedback and guidance from a tutor, tutorials and revision
  • email and online moderated forums
  • study and project guides.

We’ll assess your learning with:

  • tutor-marked assignments (TMAs)
  • multiple-choice computer-marked assignments (CMAs)
  • formal examinations
  • progress and project reports.