Interested in developing your knowledge and career in the area of digital technologies? Organisations depend on their databases to provide essential information for their day-to-day operations and to help them capitalise on today’s rapidly growing and maturing e-commerce opportunities. This 6-week course provides an opportunity to develop an understanding of database tools and technologies; an essential skill for designing and developing systems to support them.
Benefits for employers: This course is particularly aligned to organisations with a focus on Continuous Professional Development. It helps to provide flexible skills solutions that allow employees to achieve their long-term career aspirations:
- allows employers to provide CPD
- is a lower-commitment option than a full HNC or HND for both employer and employee
- requires less investment than full qualifications
- provides the ability to improve employees’ knowledge and skills rapidly
Please note: The closing date for applications is 4 September.
Tuition Fee: £832 (we have a limited number of free places available; please contact us).
What you'll learn
Database design and development is a fundamental and highly beneficial skill for computing students to master, regardless of their specialism.
The aim of this course is to give you opportunities to develop an understanding of the concepts and issues relating to database design and development. It will also provide the skills necessary to translate that understanding into the design and creation of complex databases.
Topics covered in this course are:
- examination of different design tools and techniques
- examination of different development software options
- consideration of the development features of a fully functional robust solution covering data integrity, data validation, data consistency, data security and advanced database querying facilities across multiple tables
- appropriate user interfaces for databases and for other externally linked systems
- creating complex reports/dashboards, testing the system against the user and system requirements
- and elements of complete system documentation
As this is a Level 4 course, it will also help you develop your academic writing and research skills, providing you with opportunities to acquire transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving.
How you'll learn and be assessed
This course is delivered online and will consist of ‘live’ (synchronous) workshops and seminars along with learning materials which you will be guided through and able to complete at a time convenient to you. You will learn through research, independent study, directed study and workplace scenarios. By participating in vocational activities you will develop key behaviours and transferable skills such as communication, teamwork, research, and analysis. Additionally, you will be taught by a friendly, committed, and qualified team of lecturers who have both professional and teaching experience.
You will be assessed through a combination of written assignments, group assessments, peer assessments, portfolio assessments, and practice-related coursework. You will also be supported with a wide range of learning resources made available via Activate Learning’s Online Learning Environment (ALO), including access to textbooks, articles, and multimedia content.
Support
You will have a range of support made available to you, including academic and pastoral support, learning support and access to additional support funds (if eligible). Please see our Support Pages for further information.
Additional study support
Whether you have a recognised disability, or a specific learning difficulty, or not, you will be eligible to access additional learning support in all the following areas:?
- assistive software training
- IT upskilling
- essay planning and structure
- proofreading and editing written work
- bibliographies and referencing
- time management and personal organisation
- revision and exam tips
- presentation techniques
Progression
You can stack skills by completing up to 4 similar units, gaining a Certificate of Unit Credit (CoUC) for each unit.
On successful completion of this course, you can progress on to the HNC in Digital Technologies and your result on this course will count towards that qualification. Alternatively, you may wish to study other short courses in digital technologies.
Career opportunities could include becoming a Data Analyst, Data Scientist, Business Intelligence Analyst, Data Engineer, or Business Analyst, to name a few.
Entry requirements
We value relevant industry experience and a passion for learning just as highly as academic qualifications. So, if you don’t have an academic background, don’t worry—your industry experience is considered on merit, and we encourage you to apply.
A full breakdown of the entry requirements, including academic qualifications, can be found below:
You’ll need to have a GCSEs at grade 4 or above in maths and English. Other Level 2 qualifications (such as Functional Skills) in English and maths may be accepted.
In addition, you will have either:
- An A level at grade D, or
- Relevant Access to Higher Education Diploma, or
- Level 3 Extended Diploma in a related subject, at a Merit overall, or
- T Level at Pass in a related subject
However, if you are considering returning to education but do not possess all the formal entry qualifications, your application may be considered through our Recognition of Prior Learning procedure. You will need GCSE English and maths or equivalent. In addition, you should be able to demonstrate experience and achievement in a range of business-related activities. We would also look for evidence of continuous professional development and learning. You should provide details of your experience and any courses you have completed, along with your reasons for wanting to pursue this course of study in the Personal Statement section of the application.
If you want to find out more about our Recognition of Prior Learning procedures, or have any questions about the course, please do talk to us.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate that their level of English is acceptable by achieving a score in a recognised test such as:
- Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) level B
- PTE Academic 51, or
- IELTS 5.5 (reading and writing must be at 5.5)
Additional information
Tuition Fees
Fees for September 2025 entry are £832 for UK students (we have a limited number of free places available; please, contact us)
Please note: Tuition fees are published for the first year of entry only and may increase in subsequent years for new students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Office for Students.
Additional costs
Students are advised that they will need access to a laptop or PC. We recommend that you budget for additional costs, such as for stationary, to undertake your studies. You can borrow textbooks and access journals from the recommended reading lists from our Learning Resource Centres either on campus or online. If you choose to purchase textbooks, they may cost up to c£60 each.
How to apply
Apply directly to Activate Learning.
