IT Essentials – Level 2 (RQF) Course

The IT Essentials – Level 2 (RQF) Course is designed for students who want to gain a good all-round knowledge of using a computer and its associated software. The course covers the same content as the ECDL / ICDL syllabus and will give you a fundamental knowledge of the use of computers, the Internet, Email, security and it will also focus on the use of the important software packages included in the Microsoft Office suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint and Access). This course is designed for people who use technology at work, in education, when looking for work, or in their leisure time.

The course covers accredited ITQ (IT User Qualification) units listed on Ofqual and can lead to a Level 2 RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) Certificate Qualification with 32 Credits. The ITQ is a nationally-recognised qualification for those who need digital skills as users of technology.

The IT Essentials – Level 2 (RQF) Course can be used:

• To gain the NCFE IT User Skills Level 2 Certificate Qualification with 32 Credits;
• As a study guide for students who wish to complete the ECDL (Now ICDL) tests through an external testing centre; and
• As a course for students to follow to gain relevant skills and knowledge leading to a certificate of completion issued by Distance Learning Centre.

Our blog about the Advantages of studying the IT Essentials - Level 2 (RQF) Course will cover some of the differences between this course and the ECDL (Now ICDL) Online Course.

Please Note: The course is available for £175.00, but students who want to gain the Level 2 Qualification will need to pay the separate accreditation fee (£150.00) to apply for the NCFE Level 2 Certificate Qualification in IT User Skills (Ofqual Qualification No. 501/1239/9). This fee would need to be paid prior to the submission of any course assignments.

Students should be 13 Years or over and should be able to comfortably use a computer and navigate the Internet. The course focuses on Microsoft Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 2019/365 or earlier, and students will require their own versions of appropriate software. Earlier versions of Windows and Microsoft Office can be used, although some instructions may be different for the earlier versions of the software.

Please Note: The course covers the use of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office (PC Versions) and is designed for use on a PC. It will be possible to view the course materials using an Apple Mac although the information within the course will be specific to Windows based software.

You can start this course at any time, and you would be registered for a one-year period. You also have access to a personal tutor who can be contacted by email. Your tutor is available to assist with any queries and to mark your assignments for the Awarding Body.

As the course is self-study, you can complete it as quickly as you like. Support extensions are available if students do not complete the course within the one-year period.

Students will be assessed through project-based assignments which will require them to demonstrate skills taught within each lesson. There is an assignment for each unit within the course.

The course leads to our IT Essentials Certificate of Completion with comprehensive feedback from your course tutor. This is our own Certification and is not a nationally recognised qualification.

Students wanting to gain the NCFE IT User Skills – Level 2 Certificate Qualification can pay the required accreditation fee of £150.00 to be entered for this qualification. This qualification has been accredited on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (Ofqual Qualification No. 501/1239/9). This is a Level 2 Certificate Qualification with 32 Credits.

The course measurable learning outcomes have been benchmarked at Level 2 (using Ofqual's Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level descriptors) to allow you to consider the depth of study, difficulty, and level of achievement involved.

You can find further information on qualifications/certificates and their levels on the Ofqual's level descriptors page.

NCFE is recognised as an Awarding Organisation by the qualification regulators for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, who are: the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Welsh Government, and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland. NCFE accreditation gives assurance that the content of a training course is of a high standard and meets the rigorous requirements of a national awarding organisation.