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\nFor use with the Higher National Certificate and  \nHigher National Diploma in Computing  \nFirst teaching from September 2022 First Certification from September 2023  \nHigher National Certificate Lvl 4  \nHigher National Diploma Lvl 5  \nUndergraduate Level Qualifications  \nAbout Pearson  \nWe are the world’s leading learning company operating in countries all around the world. We provide content, assessment and digital services to schools, colleges and universities, as well as professional and vocational education to learners to help increase their skills and lifelong employability prospects. We believe that wherever learning flourishes so do people.  \nReferences to third party material made in this specification are made in good faith. Pearson does not endorse, approve or accept responsibility for the content of materials, which may be subject to change, or any opinions expressed therein. (Material may include textbooks, journals, magazines and other publications and websites.)  \nAll information in this specification is correct at time of publication.  \nBTEC Higher Nationals in Computing – original image by © whiteMocca/Shutterstock  \nISBN 978 1 292 41756 1  \nAll the material in this publication is copyright © Pearson Education Limited 2026  \nSummary of Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing specification Issue 5 changes  \n\n| Summary of changes made between previous issue and this current issue | Page number |\n| --- | --- |\n| Removal of references to learning styles | 4 |\n| Minor amendments made to spellings to provide consistency | 16 – 393 |\n| Removal of section 4.5 Assignment Checking Service | 19 |\n| Updated the language requirements text for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, including acceptable evidence of language capability. | 22 |\n| Added optional units 55 Agentic AI and 56 AI Programming to the table. | 31, 32, 33,\u003Cbr>34, 36, 40,\u003Cbr>44, 48, 52, 56 |\n| Added optional unit 57 Advanced AI Concepts to the table. | 50, 54, 58 |\n| Minor amendments made to use of capitals in unit 3 | 104 |\n| Added information to unit 28 to Essential Content LO2 to include Sustainability considerations and Change management drivers; LO3 to include Change management monitoring; LO4 to include CSP security features | 298, 299, 300 |\n| Updates to wording of unit 35 Essential Content LO1 Agile Systems Analysis Methodologies | 352 |\n| Updates to wording of unit 48 LO2 Pass, Merit and Distinction criteria, LO3 and LO4 Pass and Merit criteria | 449, 450 |\n| Correction to wording of unit 49 Learning Outcome LO4 | 462 |\n| Additional units added: Unit 55: Agentic AI; Unit 56: AI Programming;\u003Cbr>Unit 57: Advanced AI Concepts | 500 |\n\nEarlier issues show previous changes.  \nIf you need further information on these changes or what they mean, contact us via our website at: [qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html](qualifications.pearson.com/en/support/contact-us.html).  \nContents  \n1 Introduction 1  \n1.1 The Student Voice 1  \n1.2 Why choose Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals? 1  \n1.3 HN Global 2  \n1.4 Qualification titles 3  \n1.5 Qualification codes 3  \n1.6 Awarding institution 3  \n1.7 Key features 4  \n1.8 Collaborative development 5  \n2 Programme purpose and objectives 6  \n2.1 Purpose of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals 6  \n2.2 Objectives of the Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals 6  \n2.3 Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing 7  \n2.4 Aims of the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing 7  \n2.5 Developing students’ employability skills and academic study skills 8  \n2.5.1 Use of Maths and English within the curriculum 9  \n2.6 What could these qualifications lead to? 10  \n2.6.1 Progression to university 10  \n3 Preparing students for employment 12  \n3.1 Designing with employers, for employers 12  \n3.1.1 Employability skills and competencies for student career success 13  \n3.1.2 Developing competencies for the workplace 13  \n3.1.3 Professional Body rec","cbCailo9WHTSXwQB","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailo9WHTSXwQB","pdf",8525122,557,"English","# Introduction\n## The Student Voice\n## Why choose Pearson BTEC Higher Nationals?\n## Qualification titles\n## Qualification codes\n## Awarding institution\n## Key features\n## Collaborative development\n# Programme purpose and objectives\n## Purpose and objectives\n## Aims for Level 4 and Level 5\n## Employability and academic study skills\n## Progression to university\n# Preparing students for employment\n## Designing with employers\n## Employability skills and competencies\n## Professional Body recognition and exemption\n## Vendor accreditation\n# Centre support\n## Support for setting up your course and preparing to teach\n## Authorised Assignment Briefs\n## Pearson English\n# Planning your programme\n## Delivering the Higher Nationals\n## Entry requirements and admissions\n## Administrative arrangements for internal assessment\n## Dealing with malpractice in assessment\n# Programme structure\n## Units, credits and total qualification time (TQT)\n## Programme structures for Level 4 and Level 5\n## Commissioning new units\n## Unit descriptor example\n# Assessment\n## Principles of internal assessment\n## Making valid assessment decisions","[{\"question\":\"What are the start of teaching and certification dates for this specification?\",\"answer\":\"First teaching starts from September 2022, and first certification starts from September 2023.\"},{\"question\":\"Which qualifications does this specification cover in Computing?\",\"answer\":\"It covers the Pearson BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Computing and the Pearson BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Computing.\"},{\"question\":\"What changed in Specification Issue 5 compared with the previous issue?\",\"answer\":\"The document summarizes changes such as removal of references to learning styles, removal of certain sections, updates to language requirements wording, and the addition of optional AI-related units (including Agentic AI and AI Programming).\"},{\"question\":\"Where can centres find guidance related to assessment and course planning?\",\"answer\":\"The contents list dedicated sections for centre support, planning your programme, and assessment principles and decision-making, including arrangements for internal assessment and malpractice handling.\"}]","BTEC Higher Nationals in Computing - Issue 5 - Specification changes summary | PDF",1404]