Computing and IT
Our computing and IT courses are designed with employers in mind so you can achieve your career goals.
We are one of the leading colleges in the UK for computing and IT courses, with a strong history of success in the sector.
Progress in a booming industry. Almost every company, regardless of how big or small, needs computing and IT professionals. This means that there is always a huge range of jobs available for people looking to move into the sector.
Work your way up. Even if you’re new to the industry, we can help you progress to a higher level. We offer courses starting from Level 1 so you can work your way up and progress further.
We even offer computing at degree level, so your part-time course has the potential to develop into a degree.
Why choose us?
Success rates. Many of our IT courses have a 100% success rate, so you’re more likely to gain your qualifications if you study with us.
Facilities. We offer our students access to the most up-to-date versions of programmes and apps so you’ll leave us with the knowledge you need.
Link with business. We work with over 2,500 businesses to help you into the industry and even gain work experience.
Reputation. Our adult course provision puts us in the top 25% of colleges in the country.
Course content. Because we work with businesses, our courses are tailored to give you the skills you need in the industry.
Available Computing and Digital Technologies courses
Career opportunities
A qualification in computing and IT can lead to a variety of job opportunities.
The South West is home to a large and diverse IT sector. Many of the world’s leading IT companies have bases here, and there are plenty of dynamic small businesses looking to grow. Hewlett Packard’s second-largest central research laboratory is based in Bristol.
What you can earn
Some suggested annual salary ranges for those working in the industry include:
- Computer service and repair technician - £17,000 to £25,000
- IT security coordinator - £25,000 to £60,000
- IT support technician - £18,000 to £30,000
- Software developer - £20,000 to £40,000
- Web content manager - £24,000 to £50,000.
It's easy to apply...
Applying for any of our Computing and IT courses is easier than you think – you can apply online in a matter of minutes by selecting the course you’re interested in from the drop-down menu at the top of this page and clicking ‘apply now’. Alternatively, you can find an application form at the back of our prospectus.
Now is the perfect time to apply in order to secure your place on the course you are interested in. Submitting an application isn’t a binding decision and if you change your mind, you can always withdraw your application at a later date.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY
T Level Digital: Production, Design and Development
Coding Practices
LATEST NEWS
<p>Weston College and The Bristol Port Company have proudly won an award at the inaugural PSS Awards, at Stamford Bridge in London, celebrating their collaboration in modernising Bristol Port’s induction process.</p><p>This accolade marks a significant milestone in their joint efforts to enhance employee engagement through cutting-edge technology and interactive learning.</p><p>Bristol Port sought to move beyond the outdated methods of standard induction videos and basic multiple-choice questions, aiming for an engaging, interactive, and technologically advanced experience.</p><p>Their goal was to create an induction process that went beyond a tick-box exercise to truly immerse new employees.</p><p>The collaboration was rooted in the shared ethos of curiosity, collaboration, and a commitment to innovation. Together, they developed a state-of-the-art induction programme featuring:</p><ul><li>Bespoke Content: Tailored to meet the unique needs of Bristol Port</li><li>Interactivity and Innovative Design: Engaging new employees through dynamic elements</li><li>360-Degree Footage: Providing an immersive experience of the port environment</li><li>Trackable Data and Digital Certification: Ensuring progress is monitored and certified digitally.</li></ul><p>Since its implementation, the new induction process has been a huge success. New employees gain a deeper understanding of the company from day one, allowing them to transition to specialised training swiftly and effectively.</p><p>Louise Pratten, Head of Digital Education at Weston College, said: “We are so proud of the work that we have completed with The Bristol Port Company, and the fact it has been recognised on a national scale shows how impactful this has been and will be moving forward.</p><p>“Through this innovative partnership, we have set a new standard for employee engagement and training, demonstrating how strategic alliances can drive meaningful change and achieve remarkable success.”</p><p>If you would like to collaborate with Weston College, you can contact <a href="mailto:employers@weston.ac.uk">employers@weston.ac.uk</a></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr"><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong></span><a class="fui-Link ___1rxvrpe f2hkw1w f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1nev41a f1h8hb77 f1lqvz6u f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-…; aria-label="Link here" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&utm_medium=main-… class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr"><strong>here</strong></span></a><span class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr"><strong>. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></span></p>
<p>On Thursday 10th of July, we held another successful ‘Takeover Day’ at the Weston Job Centre Plus. Thanks to the hard work put in the event went very well, drawing an impressive 282 customers.</p><p>Tutors and support staff across a wide range of faculties were available to have personalised one-on-one conversations with attendees, offering tailored career advice and guidance on the steps needed to achieve their professional goals, as well as information on the courses available at Weston College to help make these goals a reality.</p><p>The feedback from the Job Centre Plus customers has been overwhelmingly positive. Many attendees expressed how beneficial they found the day, praising the valuable advice and guidance they received. The additional services, such as haircuts and nail treatments, were also a huge hit, adding a special touch that made the event even more enjoyable and memorable.</p><p>The strength of our partnership with Job Centre Plus and DWP was evident throughout the day. This collaboration is the cornerstone of our ability to organise events like these, which have a profound and positive impact on our customers. By working together, we can continue to put on events which provide comprehensive support that addresses various needs, making a real difference to people’s lives.</p><p><span class="ui-provider a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">Over the next week, our course advisors will be collaborating closely with Job Centre Plus customers who have expressed interest in our courses. They will assist these customers with their enrolment forms, ensuring they have everything necessary to embark on their new journey towards employment and personal development.</span></p><p>In November, we will be hosting another 'Weston College Takeover Day' at the Weston Job Centre Plus. Stay tuned for more details coming soon!</p><p> </p><img src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/image009_2.png" data-entity-uuid="41ee0191-54c7-4bf4-9bd5-b9d04a44e4e5" data-entity-type="file" width="1317" height="735">
<p paraeid="{29895f9a-e38b-4c50-a41f-55d714360e13}{244}" paraid="1813203013">Are you interested in pursuing a career in Software Development? Read our top tips on how you can get started today! </p>
<p paraeid="{29895f9a-e38b-4c50-a41f-55d714360e13}{250}" paraid="728997367"><strong>What does a Software Developer do? </strong></p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{1}" paraid="1097543939">Software Developers are an essential part of our ever-expanding digital world, but what do they actually do? Well, the simplest answer is, a lot! Software Developers’ work is vast and diverse. That film you watched on Netflix last night? The tweet you just sent from your phone? The new video game you cannot wait to play? All of that is thanks to Software Developers! </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{21}" paraid="1956950506">Software Developers use their specialist programming skills to design, develop and test new software. This could be for a variety of areas - from online shopping retailers like ASOS, to social media platforms like <a href="https://twitter.com/westoncollege?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eser…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Twitter</a> and <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@westoncollege?is_from_webapp=1&sender_devic…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">TikTok</a>. The job of a Software Developer is to ensure the user’s experience always reaches optimum levels by creating code, fixing bugs and continuously assessing the software to make improvements and adaptations. </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{47}" paraid="221516850">Average Software Developer salary: £24K - £70K (According to <a href="https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-profiles/software-developer&…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Gov.uk</a>) </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{58}" paraid="1231131503">Software Developer jobs: </p>
<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{66}" paraid="1197772058">Applications Developer </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{73}" paraid="728276009">Web Designer </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{80}" paraid="861960613">Game Developer </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="6" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{80}" paraid="861960613">Software Engineer </p>
</li>
</ul>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{94}" paraid="643415099">Does this sound like your kind of job? Read on to find out how to get there! </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{100}" paraid="87897007"><strong>The Best Place to Start </strong></p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{106}" paraid="1534588590">To begin your journey towards a career in Software Development, find a course that will start from the beginning and support you to learn and hone the skills you need. Our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">T Level in Digital: Production, Design and Development</a> or <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-adults/computing-and-…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Software Development Technician Apprenticeship</a> would be great places to start! A lot of jobs in the industry also require degree level education to access those higher progression routes. Luckily, there are a number of relevant courses available here in Weston-super-Mare through <a href="http://www.ucw.ac.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">University Centre Weston</a> (UCW): <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/applied-computing-bsc-hons/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">BSc (Hons) Applied Computing</a> and <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/ux-degree-apprenticeship/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Digital User Experience (UX) Degree Apprenticeship.</a> </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{162}" paraid="843162280">The BSc (Hons) Applied computing programme is a full-time 3 year degree that is delivered in partnership with the <a href="https://www.weiot.ac.uk/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">West of England Institute of Technology</a> – designed to collaboratively tackle skill shortages by providing relevant courses that directly link to industry demands. </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{177}" paraid="2105758196"><strong>Decide on Your Goals </strong></p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{183}" paraid="802696426">Before you embark on your Software Development journey, have a think about where you see yourself in 3-5 years time. Do you want to work for an education provider or a game development company? Would you prefer to work in an office or remotely? Maybe you see yourself working freelance or for an agency? </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{196}" paraid="1881933695">Deciding what you want out of your career will help you navigate your training. Perhaps you need to think about a specific area you should develop your skills in. For example, if you want to pursue a career in a marketing, do you need to grow your understanding of <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guide-to-the-general-data-pr…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">GDPR</a> and how information is properly stored? </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{225}" paraid="354514992">Once you have a clear idea of where you want to go, you can streamline and personalise your training or studies to better suit your goals. </p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{238}" paraid="2088080556"><strong>Learn the Language </strong></p>
<p paraeid="{04f98b2e-2377-4cec-9ce1-a64a334218b4}{244}" paraid="890641243">One of the most crucial ingredients in becoming a Software Developer is learning a programming language! For a successful career in this industry, you will need a good core understanding of one or more of the following: <br />
<br />
<a href="https://dev.java/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Java</a> - is a programming language that works across a multitude of platforms including Android and the internet – primarily used for developing server-side applications. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.python.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Python</a> – Generally considered the simplest and easiest to learn, Python is an excellent place to start if you’re new to the world of programming! <br />
<br />
C/C++ - Used for a wide range of programming including software engineering, data structures, game programming, developing browsers, operating systems and applications. <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.scala-lang.org/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Scala</a> – Developed as a 'new and improved’ version of Java, Scala is an object-oriented language used for functional programming and strong static systems. </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{34}" paraid="569291957"><strong>Find Your Niche </strong></p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{40}" paraid="618617865">While you study and improve your skills in the art of developing software, start to consider what you, as a Software Developer, want your niche to be. A niche is essentially a specialism – something that you’re great at, that will make employers and clients want YOU. </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{60}" paraid="561003717">Maybe you want to progress into a career in web design, so gaining a fully comprehensive flare in <a href="https://wordpress.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wordpress</a> or other content management systems (CMS) like <a href="https://www.squarespace.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Squarespace</a> or <a href="https://www.wix.com/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Wix</a> would be great for your portfolio! </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{88}" paraid="782770494">Here are some more examples of areas you might find your niche: </p>
<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="-" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Calibri","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="5" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{94}" paraid="1894416510">App Design/Development </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="-" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Calibri","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="5" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{101}" paraid="724889038">Data Science </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Calibri" data-leveltext="-" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Calibri","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"-","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="5" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{108}" paraid="851549104">Cybersecurity </p>
</li>
</ul>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{115}" paraid="28082540"><strong>Produce Your Portfolio </strong></p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{125}" paraid="1151863649">Make sure you’re collating everything you create into a portfolio! Think of your portfolio as an extension of your CV, something that will let you say, “I am an incredible Software Developer, and this is why!” </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{145}" paraid="2069266814">As you progress and develop, start to refine and curate your portfolio to reflect your absolute best work – ensuring that work is in-line with the Software Development jobs you want to apply for. </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{174}" paraid="177885938">What should my portfolio include? </p>
<ul role="list">
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{180}" paraid="515763748">Name and contact information </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{187}" paraid="182654323">Link to your CV </p>
</li>
<li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}" data-listid="8" role="listitem">
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{187}" paraid="182654323">Examples of your highest quality work </p>
</li>
</ul>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{201}" paraid="193738234"> </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{205}" paraid="1766085696">If you stick to these top tips, along with committing time and effort into your studies, you’ll be a Software Developer before you know it! </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{218}" paraid="821929881">To explore our options in Computing and Digital Technologies <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/compu…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{229}" paraid="2058768490">To find out more about UCW’s Higher Education opportunities in Software Development, <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/subject/computing-and-digital-technologies/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">click here</a>. </p>
<p paraeid="{5d6b9ca8-c47f-402c-a14c-89d53f6ea3a5}{240}" paraid="1674936585"> </p>
