Based on our strong student destinations and employer demand, we are delighted to be replacing our Level 3 Digital T Level & BTEC courses with a Cyber Security and Computing Advanced Applied Qualifications (AAQs) Pathway for students interested in computing and digital careers.

From September 2026, our T Level in Digital and BTEC in IT/Computing will be replaced by this new Cyber Security and Computing AAQ pathway. This new curriculum has been developed working with our key digital, computing and cyber employers and allows us to offer clearer routes into high value careers, university study and apprenticeships, reflecting where our students go on to succeed and aligning better to labour market demand. The delivery and assessment will be the same as the BTEC & T Level route with a mix of external and internal assessments as well as practical workshops and the opportunity to complete a work placement.

Our new Cyber Security and Computing AAQ pathway:  

1. OCR Cyber Security: This covers the protection of digital systems, ethical hacking and cyber threat management and reflects the growing demand for cyber security specialists.

2. Cyber Application Development: Covering coding, software design and problem solving, this focuses on real world application development.

3. Pearson Computing: This Computing Qualification covers broad and flexible computing content that develops core IT knowledge, practical skills and digital confidence.

As part of the Cyber Security and Computing AAQ pathway you will study all three qualifications above, they are Level 3, nationally recognised and equivalent in size and status to your previous course choice. Crucially, they are specifically designed to support progression to University degrees in computing, cyber security and digital technologies, Higher and degree apprenticeships and direct employment within the fast-growing digital sector.

What this means for you:

You don’t need to do a thing! As you have already applied for a Digital T Level or BTEC in IT & Computing, your application will automatically switch to this new pathway and our Admissions Team will contact you by phone to discuss any questions you may have. In the meantime, please know you can contact us directly below.

welcometorunshaw@runshaw.ac.uk         

cahill.g@runshaw.ac.uk           or phone 01772 643000        if you have any questions.

All the very best,

Gillian Cahill, Senior Admissions Tutor