BTEC Higher National Programmes

This course allows those learners who have achieved the Higher National Certificate in Computing to progress to HND in Data Analytics and  HND in Intelligent Systems and then on to university if desired. It provides a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required for success in careers in computing and systems development.

Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 – HNC to HND in Data Analytics/ HNC to HND in Intelligent Systems: The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Data Analytics/ Intelligent Systems offers students two specialist pathways designed to support progression into relevant occupational areas or on to degree-level study. These pathways are linked to Professional Body standards and can provide professional status and progression to direct employment.

Award: Pearson BTEC Level 5 – HNC to HND in Data Analytics/ HNC to HND in Intelligent Systems

Location of study: Harrow Independent College

Course duration: 1 year (full-time) 2 years (part-time)

Guided Learning Hours (GLH): Total Guided Learning (GL) for Higher National Diploma (HND) = 960 hours

Academic year dates: Full-time course: September 2018 – June 2019, Part-time course: September 2018 – June 2020

Days of the week: TBC

Work placements: If you would like to undertake a work placement as part of the course, our placement staff will work with you to try to identify a suitable opportunity and location for your work placement in the UK. Please note that you are responsible for any expenses incurred in travelling to and from your work placement location.

Timetables: Timetables will be available at enrolment.

Course leader: Dr Srikanthan Muthia Govindaraj

Entry Requirements: A BTEC Level 4 HNC Computing plus GCSEs at grade A*-C/9-4 including English Language and Mathematics.

Course Overview: The Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Data Analytics/ Intelligent Systems offers students a non-specialist ‘Computing’ pathway, which allows students to complete a Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma without committing to a particular professional specialism. This offers additional flexibility to students and can provide progression to direct employment.

Module Information: The course will comprise the following Level 5 units:-

• Computing Research Project (30 credits): The aim of this unit is to offer students the opportunity to engage in sustained research in a specific field of study. The unit enables students to demonstrate the capacity and ability to identify a research theme, to develop research aims, objectives and outcomes, and to present the outcomes of such research in both written and verbal formats. The unit also encourages students to reflect on their engagement in the research process during which recommendations for future, personal development are key learning points. On successful completion of this unit students will have the confidence to engage in problem-solving and research activities which are part of the function of a manager. Students will have the fundamental knowledge and skills to enable them to investigate workplace issues and problems, determine appropriate solutions and present evidence to various stakeholders in an acceptable and understandable format.
• Business Intelligence (15 credits): This unit introduces students to a range of tools, techniques and technologies for acquiring data and processing this into meaningful information that can be used to support business functions and processes. Within this unit students will examine the concept of business processing in terms of data capture, conversion and information output. Students will also be required to define the tools and technologies associated with business intelligence functionality. The use of a business intelligence tool/s and techniques is also required to demonstrate an understanding of a given problem. Finally, students will be expected to evaluate the impact of business intelligence for effective decision-making. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to appreciate the importance of business intelligence in terms of optimising decision-making and performance. By exploring the tools, techniques and systems that support business intelligence students will have an awareness of the role and contribution that these technologies and methodologies have and their importance to organisations.
• Discrete Maths (15 credits): This unit introduces students to the discrete mathematical principles and theory that underpin software engineering. Through a series of case studies, scenarios and tasked-based assessments students will explore set theory and functions within a variety of scenarios; perform analysis using graph theory; apply Boolean algebra to applicable scenarios; and finally explore additional concepts within abstract algebra. Among the topics included in this unit are: set theory and functions, Eulerian and Hamiltonian graphs, binary problems, Boolean equations, Algebraic structures and group theory. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to gain confidence with the relevant discrete mathematics needed to successfully understand software engineering concepts. As a result students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Data Mining (15 credits): This unit will introduce the theoretical foundation of data mining and a range of data mining processes and techniques. The unit will also provide hands-on experience in developing data mining applications using an appropriate programming language or data mining tool. Topics included in this unit are: data mining terminologies, scope of data mining such as classification, regression and clustering methods and techniques, associate pattern mining, mining time series data, and mining text data. On successful completion of this unit, students will appreciate the theoretical and technical concepts of data mining and its techniques and processes, gain hands-on experience in implementing data mining techniques using a programming language such as Python, R, or a tool such as Weka, KNIME, Excel etc. As a result students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Applied Analytical Models (15 credits): This unit introduces students to applied analytical models used in business to discover, interpret and communicate meaningful patterns of data held in silos or data warehouses, and to derive knowledge to gain competitive advantage. Organisations may apply analytical methods and models to predict/prescribe business outcomes and improve performance in diverse areas such as stock control, financial risk and fraud analysis. Analytical models use mathematical algorithms and require extensive computation to process large amounts of data. Among the topics included in this unit are: data preparation, fundamentals of applied analytical models and development of predictive or prescriptive models using a suitable algorithm, operating on a large data set. As a result students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Machine Learning (15 credits): Machine learning is the science of getting computers with the ability to learn from data or experience to solve a given problem without being explicitly programmed. It has been around for many years, however it has become one of the hottest fields of study in the computing sector. Machine learning is in use in several areas such as predictive modelling, speech recognition, object recognition, computer vision, anomaly detection, medical diagnosis and prognosis, robot control, time series forecasting and much more. This unit will introduce the basic theory of machine learning, the most efficient machine learning algorithms and practical implementation of these algorithms. Students will gain hands-on experience in getting these algorithms to solve real world problems. Topics included in this unit are: the foundations of machine learning, types of learning problems (classification, regression, clustering etc.), taxonomy of machine learning algorithms (supervised learning, unsupervised learning, reinforcement learning), machine learning algorithms (Decision Tree, Naïve Bayes, k-Nearest Neighbour, Support Vector Machine etc.). On successful completion of this unit students will be able to understand the concept of machine learning, machine learning algorithms, gain hands-on experience in implementing algorithms using a programming language such as C/C++, C#, Java, Python, R, or a machine learning tool such as Weka, KNIME, MSAzureML etc. As a result students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Artificial Intelligence (15 credits): One of the dreams of the computing sector is to build an intelligent digital assistant that could serve people according to peoples’ nature. Building this type of intelligent machine is a big challenge to computer scientists. An intelligent machine must have at least the following behaviours – vision, speech and voice recognition, smelling sense, learning from experience to solve new problems and coping with the unknown. The science of artificial intelligence (AI) is trying to overcome these challenges by combining the study of nature, understanding from humans’ intelligent behaviour and brain function, other animal’s acute senses, with mathematics, statistics, logic and traditional computer science. Some of AIs achievements include the NASA’s Mars Rover, Google’s Self-Driving Cars, IBM’s Watson, Microsoft’s Xbox 360 (the first gaming device to track human body movement) and much more. This unit is designed to introduce the philosophy behind artificial intelligence, the most efficient techniques of AI and various intelligent systems that help us to overcome various challenges. This unit guides the student to investigate the emerging AI technologies which could solve various real-world challenges and problems. Topics included in this unit are the philosophical background to AI, current trends and the future of AI, ethics and issues in AI, a range of AI applications (computer vision, speech processing and so forth), top-down approach of AI techniques, fuzzy logic, knowledge-based systems, natural language processing), bottom-up approach of AI techniques (neural networks, evolutionary computing, swarm intelligence), and emerging AI technologies (Brain Computer Interfacing, Ambient AI, Smart City, GPU AI etc). On successful completion of this unit students will be able to understand the fundamental concepts in artificial intelligence from a theoretical, practical and cognitive point of view, and also gain innovative thought processes to build intelligent systems for future needs. Furthermore, the students can gain hands-on experience in developing intelligent systems using a programming language such as C/C++, C#, Java, Prolog, Lisp, Python, R, or a tool such as Weka, KNIME, MS AzureML, Accord.NET, AForge.NET, Neuroph, tools for NLP (NLTK, AIML), tools for swarm robotics (Microsoft robotics developer studio, Orocos, ‘Player Stage Gazebo’) etc. As a result students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Emerging Technologies (15 credits Optional Unit): This unit introduces students to the role, benefits, disadvantages and potential outcomes Emerging Technologies have in the development of software applications. The aim of the unit is to enhance the student’s understanding of the current state, terminology, advantages, disadvantages, potential impact and benefits of Emerging Technologies on the development of software applications. Among the topics included in this unit are: classification and terminology of Emerging Technologies, review the most promising and impactful Emerging Technologies, trends of convergence, the impact of computers in the development of Emerging Technologies, the hardware, software, data, platforms and services used to enable development of Emerging Technologies, understand the scale, scope, advantages and disadvantages Emerging Technologies may have on humankind. On successful completion of this unit students will be able to explain some of the most promising and impactful Emerging Technologies. Have an awareness of the impact, advantages and disadvantages Emerging Technologies may have on humankind. Understand the impact Emerging Technologies will have on the development of software applications. As a result students will develop skills such as communication literacy, design thinking, team working, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, interpretation and computer software literacy, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Data Structures & Algorithms (15 credits Optional Unit HND Data Analytics/ Core Unit in HND Intelligent Systems): This unit introduces students to data structures and how they are used in algorithms, enabling them to design and implement data structures. The unit introduces the specification of abstract data types and explores their use in concrete data structures. Based on this knowledge, students should be able to develop solutions by specifying, designing and implementing data structures and algorithms in a variety of programming paradigms for an identified need. Among the topics included in this unit are abstract data types specification, formal data notations, data encapsulation, complex data structures, programming language implementations using handles, pointers, classes and methods, algorithm types, data structure libraries, algorithm complexity, asymptotic testing and benchmarking. On completion of this unit the student should be able to identify program data requirements, specify abstract data types using a formal notation, translate into concrete data structures and be able to develop, using a programming paradigm, different sorting, searching and navigational algorithms that implement complex data structures and evaluate their effectiveness. As a result of studying this unit students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, synthesis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Advanced Programming (15 credits Optional Unit): Features of programming languages that are considered advanced are used to develop software that is efficient; it can affect the performance of an application as well as the readability and extensibility of the code, improving productivity and therefore reducing cost. Many commercial applications available today, whether for productivity or entertainment, will have used one or more design pattern in their development. A design pattern is a description of how to solve a problem that can be used in many different situations and can help deepen the understanding of object-orientated programming and help improve software design and reusability. The aim of this unit is to familiarise students with these features and their best practices to ensure that their code is in line with industry standards. Among the topics included in this unit are: object-orientated programming; polymorphism, encapsulation, class aggregation/association, constructors/destructors, inheritance, abstract classes, interfaces, containers, generics, introduction to design patterns and Unified Modelling Language (UML). On successful completion of this unit students will be able to write code in an object-orientated fashion using design patterns where necessary and be able to model their code structure in UML class diagrams. As a result they will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.

Teaching: You are taught through a combination of lectures and practicals. Practicals and seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of students. In addition, you have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will use industry-standard software and have access to computer labs throughout your course.

Independent learning: When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading, working on individual and group projects and undertaking research in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning can be supported by faculty Skype calls with a reasonable advance notice.

Overall workload: Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with each credit taken equating to a total study time of around 10 hours. While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select.

Teaching staff: You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience

Inflation linked tuition fee rises: The College may decide to increase tuition fees year on year at a reasonable rate in line with inflation. Any increases would not exceed the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast for RPI-¬‐X (the retail price index, excluding mortgage interest payments). This intention will be clearly advertised on the College’s promotional material.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

• Course handouts

The following course-related costs are not included in the fees:

• printing costs
• the cost of books that you might wish to purchase.

Careers and Progression: On successful completion of the Pearson BTEC Higher National Diploma at Level 5, students can develop their careers in the computing sector through:

• Entering employment
• Continuing existing employment
• Linking with the appropriate vendor accredited certificates
• Committing to Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
• Progressing to university.

The Level 5 Higher National Diploma is recognised by higher education providers as meeting admission requirements to many relevant computing-related courses.

This qualification provides a thorough grounding in the key concepts and practical skills required for success in careers in computing and systems development. It provides a progression route to the HND in Computing and Systems Development or a progression path to a degree programme at university.  Students may choose to take this as a full-time or part-time course.

Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing: The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing offers students a broad introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of learning, while allowing for the acquisition of skills and experience through the selection of optional units across a range of occupational sectors at Level 4. This effectively builds underpinning core skills while preparing the student for subject specialisation at Level 5. Students will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios.

Award: Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate Computing

Location of study: Harrow Independent College

Course duration: 1 year (full-time), 2 years (part-time)

Guided Learning Hours (GLH): Total Guided Learning (GL) for Higher National Certificate (HNC) = 480 hours

Academic year dates: Full-time course: September 2018 – June 2019, Part-time course: September 2018 – June 2020

Days of the week: TBC

Part-time study: Please note that part-time study does not necessarily mean that the modules you take in Year 1 will equate to 2.5 full days attendance. As part-time study could mean attendance of some modules that are on the full-time timetable, it may mean that you will be required to attend modules timetabled over five days of the week.

Work placements: If you would like to undertake a work placement as part of the course, our placement staff will work with you to try to identify a suitable opportunity and location for your work placement in the UK. Please note that you are responsible for any expenses incurred in travelling to and from your work placement location.

Timetables: Timetables will be available at enrolment.

Course leader: Dr Srikanthan Muthia Govindaraj

Entry Requirements: Relevant work experience or a Level 3 qualification, ideally in a related subject, plus GCSEs at grade A*-C/9-4 including English Language and Mathematics.

Course Overview: The Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing offers students a broad introduction to the subject area via a mandatory core of learning, while allowing for the acquisition of skills and experience across a range of occupational sectors at Level 4. This effectively builds underpinning core skills while preparing the student for subject specialisation at Level 5. Students will gain a wide range of sector knowledge tied to practical skills gained in research, self-study, directed study and workplace scenarios.

Module Information: The course will comprise the following Level 4 units:-

• Programming (15 credits): This unit introduces students to the core concepts of programming with an introduction to algorithms and the characteristics of programming paradigms.
• Networking (15 credits): The aim of this unit is to provide students with wider background knowledge of computer networking essentials, how they operate, protocols, standards, security considerations and the prototypes associated with a range of networking technologies.
• Professional Practice (15 credits): This unit provides a foundation for good practice in a variety of contexts. The ability to communicate effectively using different tools and mediums will ensure that practical, research, design, reporting and presentation tasks are undertaken professionally and in accordance with various communication conventions.
• Database Design & Development (15 credits): The aim of this unit is to give students opportunities to develop an understanding of the concepts and issues relating to database design and development, as well as to provide the practical skills to translate that understanding into the design and creation of complex databases.
• Security (15 credits): The aim of this unit is to provide students with knowledge of security, associated risks and how security breaches impact on business continuity. Students will examine security measures involving access authorisation, regulation of use, implementing contingency plans and devising security policies and procedures.
• Managing a Successful Computing Project (15 credits): The aim of this unit is to offer students an opportunity to demonstrate the skills required for managing and implementing a project. Students will undertake independent research and investigation for carrying out and executing a computing project which meets appropriate aims and objectives.
• Website Design & Development (15 credits Optional Unit): This unit introduces students to the underpinning services required to host, manage and access a secure website before introducing and exploring the methods used by designers and developers to blend back-end technologies (server-side) with front-end technologies (client-side).
• Data Analytics (15 credits Optional Unit): This unit will introduce the theoretical foundation of data analytics and a range of data analytic processes and techniques to provide hands-on experience for enhancing students’ skills. Students will develop skills such as communication literacy, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning and interpretation which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
• Strategic Information Systems (15 credits Optional Unit): This unit introduces students to the importance of information to organisations. It will examine how systems can be used to support core business functions and enable organisations to be more productive and competitive within the global marketplace. Students will be required to analyse the information needs of an organisation at different levels and within different functional areas. It is important that computing professionals are able to understand how an organisation works and how it uses information in order to be able to design, implement, maintain and manage secure information systems to support its operations. Among the topics included in this unit are understanding organisations in terms of their information needs and the variances within different functional areas. Examination of different information systems at the operational, tactical and strategic levels will be required, in addition to evaluating their effectiveness and role in terms of decision making and gaining competitive advantage. On successful completion of this unit students will have an insight into the types of systems and technologies available for effective information processing. Critical analysis will also be used to examine the integrated role that each of these play in contributing to the efficiency and competitiveness of organisations.

Teaching: You are taught through a combination of lectures and practicals. Practicals and seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of students. In addition, you have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will use industry-standard software and have access to computer labs throughout your course.

Independent learning: When not attending lectures, seminars and other timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve reading, working on individual and group projects, undertaking research in the Learning Resource Centre (LRC), preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning can be supported by faculty Skype calls with a reasonable advance notice.

Overall workload: Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity, with each credit taken equating to a total study time of around 10 hours. While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select.

Teaching staff: You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience

Inflation linked tuition fee rises: The College may decide to increase tuition fees year on year at a reasonable rate in line with inflation. Any increases would not exceed the Office for Budget Responsibility’s forecast for RPI-¬‐X (the retail price index, excluding mortgage interest payments). This intention will be clearly advertised on the College’s promotional material.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

• Course handouts

The following course-related costs are not included in the fees:

• printing costs
• the cost of books that you might wish to purchase.

Careers and Progression: Students who successfully complete this qualification may wish to progress to a Higher National Diploma in Computing, an undergraduate degree or employment in Data Analytics or Website Design and Development.

Harrow Independent College (HIC) has a mission to identify the individual needs of learners and satisfy them, to improve their skills and knowledge and achieve their maximum potential.

In past three years of its existence HIC has helped students in paving pathways to top British universities.

HIC’s vision is to be the top rated independent college in Harrow by delivering quality education and building a strong foundation in the field of education. The college wishes to deliver exceptional education to students and maintain trust among its community and staff. HIC creates its own ways in creating and improving its internal systems, delivering excellent education to its learners and to constantly learn from ever changing environment, needs of our students and members of staff. HIC believes in providing equal opportunity to all be it students, members of staff and parent groups. It continues to devise new ways to improve in the field of sixth form education and has achieved in successfully placing our sixth formers in top British Universities for the past three years.

As a way of development and learning, HIC values:

1. All our students and their individual achievements
2. The commitment and professionalism of our members of staff
3. The highest standards in all that we do
4. Working together to meet the needs of our college and the wider community
5. Effective, efficient and appropriate use of resources
6. Respect, equality and honesty for all

The college Higher Education approach is focused upon the development and delivery of high quality and relevant programmes to support internal development, widen engagement opportunities and to meet external demand of potential students. There are five key aspects within this approach that HIC follows:

1. Provision for internal progression of students from Level 4 to Level 5. Students who meet the minimum requirement for the Level 4 HE education could be considered to be our students, provided if they do not wish to pursue a course at a university.
2. Employability and skills development of students by providing them with theoretical as well as practical knowledge.
3. Creating a high quality, differentiated Higher Education experience for students.
4. To be able to offer higher education to lower income groups by keeping affordable fees.
5. To be able to offer HE (Level 4 and 5) to those students who aspire to complete their Level 6 at a university, however are not willing or able to enter any university due to financial and other constraints after completing their Level 3 education.

Programmes are designed to facilitate flexible delivery. This enables those in work to attend lessons for recommended guided learning hours (GLH). This means that students are able to work and therefore maintain an income for their livelihood and pay for their education themselves.

The college offers a range of Access to Higher Education Qualifications in Computing to support those who are returning to education and need knowledge and skills to facilitate study at a higher level.

Taster sessions are offered to applicants throughout the year so that they get the opportunity to attend the college in advance of enrolment and discuss any potential concerns or support needs. Students are also able to experience the welcoming environment and small class sizes.

The Admissions Team introduce the concept of Higher Education during college presentations to local community during our open evenings, seminars and other events for our sixth formers and preview activities for all ages.

Progression routes are mapped from many internal vocational programmes which have not previously attracted UCAS points for example NVQs and Apprenticeships. In some areas this includes the provision of bridging courses to ensure that students have the necessary academic skills in computing to succeed at higher levels.

The entry criteria for all higher education programmes at the college include ‘non-standard’ options so as to encourage applications from those who have not followed a standard route and may not have UCAS tariff points.

Results

UNIVERSITY DESTINATIONS –

In 2016-17, 100% of Harrow Independent College sixth form students progressed to university education. Students chose most popular courses like Biomedical Sciences, Business Law LLB, International Finance and also Radiography. The most popular destinations for our students include top British universities and other Russel group universities across the country.

HIC aims to give every student the opportunities and support they need, so that they achieve best possible academic careers. In 2016-17, our college leavers were successful in attaining places on the following courses:

Source – HIC database

Education for Special Educational Needs students.

We aim to provide education for all who can benefit from it, including those with Special Educational Needs and Learning Difficulties. The College believes that all people are of equal value and seeks to promote positive attitudes towards diversity and to eliminate discrimination.

HIC aims to provide additional support to those students who themselves disclose or are identified by their teachers as having specific learning needs or experiencing learning difficulties. The college has highly qualified and experienced SEN specialist teachers, who regularly update their knowledge through continuing professional development (CPDs). The parents may be able to apply for funding through the Local Authority.

 Student Support

The college is committed to help its students in each and every phase of their education. There are several standard procedures to provide student support. Apart from that HIC provides advice and counselling to students in stressful situations. Our teachers always keep a check on students’ overall behaviour so that whenever they need extra support and counselling they are able to timely deliver it to the students.  The college is consistently striving to provide best support to students and student improvising support system. Core areas of student support are:

• Expert advice on subject and/or module combinations:

In a world where qualifications are of ever increasing importance, the central concern of the College is to present each student with ambitious personal goals whilst ensuring that these are also realistic and attainable. It can be difficult to know which subjects to choose for Level 4 or 5 and so we are here to give expert advice on subject and/or module combinations in BTEC computing courses. We have a wealth of knowledge about the university entrance system which means we can really help target the subject choices correctly. The college is, however, has a flexible environment and we do support freedom of movement between subjects and disciplines where it is felt that this is needed. If we are not able to determine an exact programme of study at the start of a student’s course, it may be possible to sit on a number of modules for a short period. We can provide expert advice on the most suitable combination of subjects and/or modules at the interview and during your course of study.

• Career Advice Support

HIC is proud of its tradition of helping all students to fulfil their potential. In addition to our inspirational teaching and academic tutelage, HIC provides excellent student support in both the selection of and application to the most appropriate universities for entrance to Level 6 programmes (BSc (Hons))

• Student Counselling

Student may come to the counselling service with a wide range of personal or study-related issues which are causing concern or emotional distress. Student Counselling Service of HIC assists students with a variety of concerns. The Student Counselling Service offers brief counselling to all full-time students of the college. It is free and confidential.

• Personal Tutors

A personal tutor is an academic member of staff who takes an active interest in a student’s academic progress and university experience, and is concerned for overall student’s welfare. At HIC, each student has a designated personal tutor who they can always feel free to approach. Personal tutors carry out timely discussions with their tutees pertaining to their academic progression which includes creating and their Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) regularly.

• Learning Resource Centre (LRC)

HIC has a LRC for students and staff use. The LRC is resourceful as it contains numerous leading textbooks, journals, prospectuses of different universities and so on. This facility also provides access to internet, intranet and course relevant materials and software in its computer lab.

Accessibility

HIC is committed to providing an environment that enables full curriculum access that values and includes all students, staff, parents and visitors regardless of their education, physical, sensory, social, spiritual, emotional and cultural needs. We are committed to taking positive action in the spirit of the Equality Act 2010 with regard to disability and to developing a culture of inclusion, support and awareness within the college.

The HIC Accessibility Plan shows how access is to be improved for disabled students, staff and visitors to the college within a given time frame and anticipating the need to make reasonable adjustments to accommodate their needs where practicable.

Source – HIC Accessibility Plan

updated on 26th April 2018

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1       These terms and conditions represent an agreement between Harrow Independent College (HIC) and you, a prospective student. By accepting HIC offer of a place on a programme, you accept these terms and conditions in full, which form the contract between you and HIC in relation to your studies at HIC as amended from time to time pursuant to Clause 1.3 (the “Contract”).

1.2       If you have any questions or concerns about these terms and conditions, please contact HIC Administration Department via an email at admin@harrowindependentcollege.co.uk

1.3       Any amendments made by HIC to the Contract will be made available to you. In the event that we are required to make any significant changes to the Contract, we shall take reasonable steps to bring these changes to the attention of affected students as soon as reasonably practicable. Please refer to Clause 10 for further detail.

1.4       Some programmes may require you to agree to the terms and conditions of professional bodies or third party providers. Details of these requirements are set out in the programme information section of the prospectus/programme and course information. By agreeing to these terms and conditions, you also agree to abide by any relevant professional bodies’ terms and conditions.

1.5       In the event of any conflict between a provision in these terms and conditions and the other documents forming part of the Contract including any professional bodies’ terms and conditions (if applicable), these terms and conditions shall take precedence

2.OFFERS

2.1       It is your responsibility to ensure that all of the information you provide to HIC and/or the UK Home Office is true and accurate.

2.2       If it is discovered that your application contains incorrect or fraudulent information, or significant information has been omitted from your application form, HIC may withdraw or amend your offer, or terminate your registration at HIC, according to the circumstances.

2.3       The offer HIC makes to you will be conditional or unconditional. If your offer is conditional, HIC will set out the conditions which you will need to fulfil in order to be admitted onto your chosen programme. In particular your offer may be conditional upon you passing an English language test.

2.4       If you have not fulfilled the conditions of your offer before the date notified to you in your Offer or any other date notified to you, HIC reserves the right to withdraw your offer or defer your application to the next year of entry.

2.5       You may be required, at the request of HIC, to provide satisfactory evidence of your qualifications (including English language qualifications if required) before admission. Failure to provide such evidence to HIC satisfaction may result in the termination of your offer, the revocation of your registration as a student of HIC and termination of the Contract

3. IMMIGRATION

3.1       If you are a national of a country outside the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland and subject to UK immigration control, you will need to demonstrate, at the point of Matriculation (as defined in Clause 4.1 below), that you have a valid immigration status to undertake your proposed programme of study.

3.2       You must take responsibility for ensuring that you comply with the terms of your student visa whilst studying at HIC. Should you wish to take up paid employment on a part time basis, you should ensure that such work does not exceed that allowed by the law. Please note that if you choose to withdraw from your studies, if your registration is terminated by HIC or if you are granted permission to interrupt your studies, this will affect the validity of your visa and your ability to enter and/or remain in the United Kingdom.

3.3       Your visa will be revoked if your registration is terminated for any reason. In such circumstances you may not be entitled to a refund of any programme fees already paid.

4. MATRICULATION AND THE SPONSIO ACADEMIA

4.1       Matriculation is the administrative act of becoming a student of HIC. It consists of three components:

(i) registration; (ii) confirmation of attendance; (iii) full admission and carries with it the obligation to abide by the rules of HIC, including the payment of tuition fees and other charges (“Matriculation”).

4.2       The Sponsio Academia is the oath, which was originally in Latin, taken by students matriculating into the college or a university. The Sponsio Academia at first matriculation is as follows: “I acknowledge that in all matters relating to the teaching and discipline of HIC I have willingly placed myself under the jurisdiction of the college, and I recognise that if, in the opinion of the college, my studies or my conduct are unsatisfactory, it has authority to forbid my continuance upon courses qualifying for a certificate or a diploma.”

4.3       After you have accepted your offer, you must matriculate at the commencement of your studies and agree to the Sponsio Academia. You can agree to the Sponsio Academia by accepting the offer as part of the registration process. Thereafter, your annual matriculation status will be dependent on your attendance on your programme being confirmed by HIC.

4.4       Failure to matriculate at the commencement of your studies or failure to have your attendance confirmed at the commencement of your subsequent years of study, in accordance with the timescales set out in HIC rules, regulations, policies and procedures, available on HIC website, will be deemed to be non-matriculation resulting in termination of the Contract and cancellation of your student record.

5. CONDITIONS OF ADMISSION

5.1       Your admission to HIC, attendance on a programme, and right to enjoy any of the privileges of membership of HIC, including access to services and facilities, is subject to you complying with the terms of the Contract and matriculating in accordance with Clause 4.

5.2       You should also note that your progression on your programme and your final award are not guaranteed and are dependent upon your academic performance.

6. DEPOSITS

6.1       In order to secure a place on your programme, you may be required to pay a deposit. If a deposit is required   you will be advised, following receipt of your application, by a deposit message sent via an email or in your offer letter.

6.2       If you do not pay the deposit in accordance with the payment terms advised in your offer letter, your application shall be withdrawn without further notice.

6.3       Any deposit you pay will be offset against the balance of tuition fees owed to HIC.

7. FEES

7.1       Subject to Clause 7.2, each year’s tuition fees are due in installments under HIC payment structure (you will be invoiced for each course as you study).

7.2       Fees are subject to revision (as applicable). In deciding upon increases in tuition fees HIC will take into consideration such factors as inflation, market competition, and other external factors out with HIC control. Fee status and consequently the level of fees you pay, is determined in accordance with the prevailing legislation. Changes to that legislation are out with HIC control.

7.3       You will not be deemed to have matriculated until your tuition fees have been paid (or your first installment paid if paying by installments), or satisfactory evidence produced that such fees will be paid by a sponsoring authority/person on receipt of HIC invoice. You will be personally liable to pay your tuition fees if a sponsoring authority/person fails to do so.

7.4       If you are personally liable to pay all or part of your tuition fees, a payment structure and method is available to you. Further information is available on HIC website.

7.5       In the event that your tuition fees have not been paid in full by the relevant Final Payment Date or in accordance with HIC fee structure, HIC shall be entitled, but not bound to, refuse to permit you to continue on your programme of study and terminate the Contract (without incurring any liability to you). In such events, HIC reserves the right to implement this without any prior notice.

7.6       Save where alternative provisions for the payment of interest are contained in a separate consumer credit agreement made between the Student and the College, simple interest may be charged on a day-to-day basis on the Fees which are unpaid. The rate of interest charged will be 1½ % per month accruing on a daily basis which represents a genuine pre-estimate of the cost to the College of a default. Student shall also be liable to pay all costs, fees, disbursements and charges including legal fees and costs reasonably incurred by the College in the recovery of any unpaid Fees regardless of the value of the College’s claim.

7.7       Any sum tendered that is less than the sum due and owing may be accepted by the College on account only. Late payment charges may be applied to any unpaid balance of the Fees.

7.8       Save where student expressly state the contrary, the College shall allocate payments made to the earliest balance on the Fees account.

7.9       HIC may pursue legal proceedings in relation to non-payment of tuition fees.

7.10     In accordance with HIC policy, a refund of tuition fees may be made if you withdraw from a programme (with a notice of 14 days before the start of the programme) with the approval of the relevant Head of the Department.

7.11     If you have any concerns regarding payment of fees or require further information about tuition fees (including the refund of tuition fees), please contact the Administration Department via email at admin@harrowindependentcollege.co.uk

8. OTHER CHARGES

8.1       In addition, you may incur additional expenditure on items such as (but not limited to) registration fees, work placement, specialist materials, supplementary instrumental tuition and annual continuation fees.

8.2       Details of any additional significant expenditure that you may be required to incur can be obtained from the Administration Department at the college. In addition, small charges may be made in some subjects for such items as course materials, and photocopying and laser printing; detailed information may be obtained from the college.

9. CANCELLATION RIGHTS

9.1       If you accept HIC offer by means of distance communication (i.e. there has been no face-to-face contact between HIC and you at the time you accept the offer) you have a legal right to cancel the Contract at any time within 14 days from the date the Contract is formed i.e. from your acceptance of HIC offer. However, if you have obtained the entry clearance or the visa to come and study at our college, no fee and/or deposit will be refunded. The college will be asking you to show all the pages of the passport to a local justice of peace or commissioner of oaths office to verify your documents in order to process the termination of student contract.

9.2       In order to cancel the Contract in accordance with Clause 9.1, you must notify HIC in writing within the timescales referred to in Clause 9.1 and you may give HIC notice of 14 days before the start of the programme.

9.3       If you have made any payment under the Contract prior to the date of cancellation of the Contract then HIC will provide you with a full refund as soon as reasonably possible but in any event within 30 days of HIC receiving your written notice of cancellation.

9.4       Notwithstanding the specific cancellations rights set out in clauses 9.1 and 9.3 and subject always to the terms of clause 7.10 you can cancel the Contract at any time during the course of your programme in consultation with HIC. Cancellation after commencement of your programme may result in loss of whole or part of your tuition fee in accordance with the terms of HIC policy.

10. EDUCATIONAL PROVISION

10.1     HIC shall use its reasonable endeavours to: –

• deliver your Programme with reasonable care and skill and as far as possible, in accordance with the description applied to it in the prospectus/ programme and course information;
• clearly explain the academic requirements of your programme to you.

10.2     You must use all efforts to fulfill all the academic requirements of your programme, including submission of course work and other assignments and attendance at examinations and other required events, on time and in accordance with the relevant policies, rules and regulations of HIC.

10.3     If you do not act in accordance with this Contract, or any of the documents referred to in it, HIC may take disciplinary action against you under its Code of Student Conduct.

11. COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE

11.1     If you have a complaint about HIC, you should follow HIC complaints procedure which can be found on HIC website. This procedure has been produced to help HIC resolve any complaints you may have as promptly, fairly and amicably as possible.

12. LIABILITY

12.1     Whilst HIC takes reasonable care to ensure the safety and security of its students whilst on HIC campus and/or whilst using HIC services, HIC cannot accept responsibility, and expressly excludes liability, for loss or damage to your personal property (including computer equipment and software). You are advised to insure your property against theft and other risks.

12.2     HIC shall not be held responsible for any injury to you (financial or otherwise), or for any damage to your property, caused by another student, or by any person who is not an employee or authorised representative of HIC.

12.3     HIC shall not be liable for failure to perform any obligations under the Contract if such failure is caused by any act or event beyond HIC reasonable control including acts of God, war, terrorism, industrial disputes (including disputes involving HIC employees), fire, flood, storm and national emergencies (“Force Majeure Event”). If HIC is the subject of a Force Majeure Event, it will take all reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies.

13. TERMINATION

13.1     HIC reserves the right to exclude you from HIC if you willfully and persistently neglect your academic work to such an extent that there is no reasonable possibility of you being able to proceed to the next stage of the programme. You should also note, as set out in clause 4.4, that non-matriculation will result in termination of the Contract and cancellation of your student record and, as set out in clause 5.2 that progression on your programme and your final award are not guaranteed and are dependent upon your academic performance.

13.2     HIC also reserves the right to exclude you from HIC for disciplinary offences, for non- matriculation, for non-payment of tuition fee debt, or for inadequate attendance or performance on your programme, in line with the relevant HIC policies and procedures.

14. DATA PROTECTION

14.1     HIC holds information about all applicants to HIC  and all students at HIC . HIC uses the information from your application:-

• to process your application, to collect feedback and to send you information about HIC and its events, such as open days; and
• if your application is successful HIC will also use the information it holds about you to deliver your Programme, to provide educational and support services to you, to monitor your performance and attendance, to collect feedback and for management activities such as strategic planning, statistical analysis, equal opportunities monitoring  and maintaining our IT systems

14.2     HIC may disclose student information to third parties as set out in the guidance on the disclosure of student information available via HIC website. We will inform you regarding use or disclosure of your information for any other purposes.

14.3     You should refer to HIC data protection policy for more information. This is accessible via HIC website:  https://www.harrowindependentcollege.com/about/our-policies/ or email at admin@harrowindependentcollege.co.uk

15. GENERAL

15.1     The terms of the Contract shall only be enforceable by you and HIC.

15.2     The Contract constitutes the entire agreement between you and HIC in relation to its subject matter.

15.3     No failure or delay by HIC or you to exercise any right or remedy provided under the Contract or by law shall constitute a waiver of that or any other right or remedy, nor shall it prevent or restrict the exercise of that or any other right or remedy.

15.4     If any provision or part-provision of the Contract is or becomes invalid, illegal or unenforceable, it shall be deemed modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, legal and enforceable. If such modification is not possible, the relevant provision or part-provision shall be deemed deleted. Any modification to or deletion of a provision or part-provision shall not affect the validity and enforceability of the rest of the Contract.

15.5     The courts in Harrow will have exclusive jurisdiction to settle any dispute or claim arising out of or in relation to the Contract and that in any such proceedings these terms and conditions and the Contract into which they are incorporated will be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws.