CLOUD COMPUTING, ANALYTICS AND SECURITY FOR INDUSTRY Level 5 Foundation Degree HLA

Level 5
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Newry Campus
Portadown Campus
The Open University

Overview

The Foundation Degree in Cloud Computing, Analytics and Security for Industry forms the core of our Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA) programme, which provides a clear and achievable progression route enabling students to train to a high level whilst gaining a professional qualification. This Level 5 Foundation Degree aims to produce graduates who can apply their understanding, experience and specialist skills to the modern computing industry to be economically valuable within the Northern Ireland and UK economy and beyond.

This programme will produce graduates of the highest academic quality with the knowledge and skills required to work in the rapidly evolving field of cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. This foundation degree prepares students for careers in industries that rely heavily on cloud-based technologies and data-driven decision-making. Graduates will gain computing and transferrable skills which will enable them to develop new concepts, ideas and solutions that will add value and inform the strategic direction of an organisation. The proposed modules provide a perfect balance between required core skills and new and emerging skills required for industry.

Upon successful interview, individuals will be placed with a company for four days per week while attending College one day per week. The HLA will also provide the opportunity to work on live projects within an IT company and gain work-based learning experience while developing the transferable skills essential to succeed in the industry.

There are approximately 360 hours per year student contact time, including blended delivery, over a three year period. Students are required to attend our Portadown Campus during term-time, one full day per week. There will also be an expectation of independent study.

All staff delivering on this programme are highly experienced with an extensive skillset across all computing disciplines.

Please note this is exactly the same course as the part-time Foundation Degree in Cloud Computing, Analytics and Security for Industry, however the Higher Level Apprenticeship element (one day in College, four days in industry per week) ensures that no fees are applicable.

Further information on Open University regulations can be found at this link or below.

Cloud Computing, Analytics & Security for Industry Programme Specification

SRC HE Attendance Guidelines

SRC OU Admissions Guidelines

SRC OU Assessment Handbook

SRC OU Extenuating Circumstances Procedures

SRC OU RPL Guidelines

SRC Student Protection Plan

SRC Regulations for Validated Awards

The over-riding consideration in admitting applicants to the course, is evidence that the learner or apprentice is likely to be able to complete the course satisfactorily.

Attendance at Individual or Group Pre-Entry Advice Sessions (IPEAS and GPEAS) may be required. These interviews may take place either on campus, via telephone or video call (Microsoft Teams) and will play an important role in the selection of all courses.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age on or before 1st July in the year of proposed entry to the course.

Applicants should normally have obtained a minimum of 48 UCAS points achieved through the completion of A-Levels, National Awards, Access or other alternative approved level 3 qualifications.
Applicants must have attained at least 15 points at Level 2 or above (e.g. GCSE) or have alternative approved qualifications. In addition, applicants must provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English Language.
For those entering a Higher Level Apprenticeship (HLA), employers may further enhance the entry criteria at their discretion. All applicants for HLAs will be interviewed by prospective employers to decide their suitability prior to being employed by a company. Each applicant must be employed or be about to take up permanent paid employment as an apprentice, or be an existing employee moving to a new job role, with a Northern Ireland based company. All apprentices must work a minimum contract of 21 hours per week (which includes time for ‘off-the-job’ training) and have achieved all necessary entry qualifications determined by the relevant sector. Applicants need to meet other eligibility considerations, for example you may not be eligible if you are a non-EU national, a public sector worker or based on the qualifications you have previously been awarded. Further details can be found at NI Direct.

The College’s Admissions Policy reflects the expectations of the UK Quality Code May 2023. Please note that applicants progressing to higher education courses at Level 4 and above in the College or UK Universities may require a specific GCSE/A-Level profile. In some cases, the Essential Skills in Literacy and Numeracy may not be a suitable alternative to a GCSE. The list of acceptable qualifications for equivalency to English and mathematics for Ulster University is available from the following link: https://www.ulster.ac.uk/apply/entrance-requirements#eng. It is the responsibility of the applicant to check each University’s progression requirements before enrolling on a course at the College.

To find out more about the application process for Higher Level Apprenticeships please see Information on Higher Level Apprenticeships.

The entrance criteria above may change subject to awarding body regulations. The College reserves the right to enhance the entrance requirements where demand exceeds the number of available places. In addition, where places remain available the College reserves the right to offer places to candidates with a profile less than that listed above.

Applicants who do not meet the criteria outlined above but have evidence of substantial knowledge or relevant industrial experience and skills, which has not been formally assessed, should refer to the College’s Accreditation of Prior Experience and Learning (APEL) Procedure.

For further detail on our entry requirements please review our Admissions Policy & Criteria.

Modules of study will include the following:

Object-Oriented Programming Fundamentals
Introduction to Networking
Database Design and Development for Cloud
IoT Development
Introduction to Virtualisation Technologies
Mobile Development
Cloud Computing
Cyber Security
Data Analytics
AI Fundamentals
Work Based Learning

Most modules are assessed by a combination of coursework, practical assessments and examinations.

This Higher Level Apprenticeship is FREE and fully funded by the Department for the Economy.

Students may wish to progress onto the Level 6 BSc (Hons) Degree in Computing for Industry offered at SRC (in collaboration with Open University). Students may also progress to other degree programmes, dependent on the entry requirements. This may include areas such as cloud computing, data analytics and cybersecurity or professional and specialised programmes in solutions architecture, cloud architecture, CompTIA or analytics professional.

On completion of this course, students will have gained a strong foundation in cloud computing, data analytics, and cybersecurity. This qualification opens up various career opportunities in industries that heavily rely on cloud technologies, data-driven decision-making, and robust security measures. Potential roles may include:

Cloud Solutions Architect
Cloud Security Specialist
Data Analyst
Business Intelligence Analyst
Data Engineer

Faculty of Computing, Design & Academic Studies

FacultyCDAC@src.ac.uk 028 3025 9686

Portadown Campus

Apply

P2947PD
Code

Full Time
Mode of Study

Day
Class Type

3 Years
Duration

10.00
Hours Per Week

08/09/2025
Date

Mon
Day/s

£0.00
Total Full Fee Per Year

Full Fee Breakdown

Total Fee

£0.00

Fees Payable Each Year

Newry Campus

Apply

P4085ND
Code

Full Time
Mode of Study

Day
Class Type

3 Years
Duration

10.00
Hours Per Week

09/09/2025
Date

Tue
Day/s

£0.00
Total Full Fee Per Year

Full Fee Breakdown

Total Fee

£0.00

Fees Payable Each Year

2 Available Sessions

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