Entering higher education is exciting; but it can also be a daunting experience. At ARU, we want all our students to make the most of the opportunities higher education provides, reach your potential, become lifelong learners and find fulfilling careers. However, we appreciate that the shift from secondary education, or a return to formal education is, in itself, quite a journey. This module is designed to ease that transition. You'll be enrolled on it as soon as you receive an offer from ARU so you can begin to learn about university life before your course starts. Through Into ARU, you'll explore a virtual land modelled around ARU values: Courage, Innovation, Community, Integrity, Responsibility, and Ambition. This innovative module is designed as a game, where you collect knowledge and complete mini tasks. You'll proceed at your own pace, though we you to have completed your Into ARU exploration by week 6. If for any reason you're unable to complete by that date, we'll signpost to existing services so that we can be confident that you are supported.
In this module, you’ll use industry-standard tools and techniques to design, implement, test and document simple programs using a current procedural language such as C# or Python. You’ll understand the principal concepts of high-level programming with an emphasis on good programming practice that supports the techniques required to develop software, which is robust, secure, usable and maintainable. The skills you develop will be directly transferable to the workplace. By the end of this module, you’ll have a firm grasp of fundamental programming constructs, before you move on to more complex structures, data handling and development.
This module introduces you to the components present in modern computer systems and networks. You’ll learn to specify, construct and maintain networked computer systems, and gain an in-depth understanding of common network architectures, their function, and confidently solve their problems. This module makes use of the Netcad CISCO Packet Tracer.
On this module, you’ll develop the study skills to maximise your learning potential that will help you in both academic and workplace settings. Your workplace will be a key learning environment where you can gain core skills and learn from the individual formative support available. The module looks at three connected strands: ‘Learning about work’ develops your knowledge and understanding of the workplace. ‘Learning through work’ looks at how you can gain practical skills in a real working environment. ‘Learning for work’ develops the relevant skills for the workplace. For example, strategic decision making, understanding quality control and issues, mapping business needs and delivering effective technology solutions. You’ll reflect on your own work practice, learning to critically appraise your own performance and report on what you’ve learnt in the workplace. You’ll demonstrate your ability to gather information, research and communicate your findings, showing your awareness of relevant ethical issues and how it effects your role and studies.
In this module you will be introduced to a range of issues regarding the analysis, design and implementation of relational databases using an industry standard relational database management system (RDBMS). You will have the opportunity to consider where RDBMS systems are and are not appropriate. You will also consider potential issues with the system you develop. Through this module you will learn modelling techniques, such as Entity Relationship Diagramming and Normalisation, and how to design and construct queries using Structured Query Language (SQL). You will also have the opportunity to apply these queries to extract useful information from relational databases. You will develop a simple RDBMS using standard techniques such as, requirement gathering, Entity & Attribute identification and conceptual modelling. After developing a model for a data driven system you will implement and test it, developing a range of queries to accurately retrieve, update, insert and delete data.
In this module, you’ll learn how to design, develop and implement client–server applications for websites and web-based systems. Building on your programming knowledge, you’ll develop web pages using technologies such as HTML. You’ll learn how to access databases using scripting languages such as SQL statements. You’ll explore how websites connect to databases, learning how to create and manage databases using MySQL and how to write queries to retrieve and manipulate data. You’ll also use scripting languages, such as PHP and ASP.NET, to generate dynamic web pages that display information from databases. Alongside the technical aspects of development, you’ll learn about web usability and accessibility, designing websites that work effectively across desktop and mobile devices. The module also explores the importance of understanding client needs and analysing competitors when developing web solutions. By the end of the module, you’ll have practical experience of creating user-friendly, database-driven websites and a stronger understanding of modern web development practices.
In this module, you’ll be introduced to the field of digital forensics and cybercrime, a critical component of modern policing incidents and investigations. You will focus upon the key aspects of the digital investigative strategy, including identification, the powers necessary for lawful seizure, safe handling, policy and legislation, and methods to examine digital evidence. Together, we’ll explore how digital evidence is reported within the criminal justice system and consider the international implications for this crime type.
In this module, you’ll complete a mini project where you design and develop a digital or technical solution, such as software, electronic hardware, multimedia content or a website. You’ll start by defining your project through a formal specification, using recognised design methods. You’ll explore different design options, evaluate them against your requirements and select the most appropriate approach. You’ll also plan and manage the project, creating a timeline and tracking your progress throughout. You’ll choose the focus of your project in discussion with your employer, lecturer and mentor, helping ensure your work is relevant to your role and professional development. Guidance on design methods and project planning is provided at the start of the module, after which you’ll work more independently while receiving support from your lecturer, who will act as your project supervisor. Your progress will be assessed through coursework. This includes maintaining a project logbook to evidence your work, producing a final report and delivering a presentation to your peers (either recorded or online). During the module, you’ll also review your apprenticeship portfolio with tutors and reflect on your learning over the academic year.
This module will enable you to reflect on what it is to be an IT professional. You’ll look at both ethical and professional issues, investigating the role that the IT professional plays within organisations. You’ll consider managerial decisions, commercial aspects of IT decision-making, law in engineering, marketing, entrepreneurship, project management and project risk management, exploring case studies around these topics.
In this module you’ll consider emerging technologies and future developments in your chosen field. The aim of this module is to enhance your understanding of the current state, terminology, advantages, disadvantages, potential impact, and benefits of future technologies so that it supports you in your final synoptic project and End Point Assessment. On successful completion, you’ll build a deeper understanding of and be able to explain how emerging technology and future developments in computing will impact society and industry. As a result, you’ll develop skills such as communication literacy, design thinking, employability, research, critical thinking, analysis, reasoning, interpretation and computer software literacy, which are crucial for gaining employment and developing academic competence.
On this module you'll come to understand the essential qualitative and quantitative business research methods. You’ll explore the fundamental theories and practical applications of business and management research, to help you conduct research. You’ll gain practical skills to put together research questions and objectives, design research proposals, conduct literature reviews, utilise primary, secondary and mixed research methods, analyse qualitative and quantitative data, understand research ethics and gain research access and disseminate research findings. By the end of this module, you’ll be prepared to independently conduct research for your final year dissertation.
This module will build on the programming techniques learnt through Levels 4 and 5. You’ll be introduced to a range of contemporary machine learning techniques, their principles, characteristics, and applications to real-world problems. You’ll learn how to select, apply and evaluate solutions based on these techniques using the state-of-the-art software tools. You will also develop an understanding of the ethical and social implications of machine learning.
This module gives you the opportunity to engage in a major individual research, design, and artefact development project relevant to your specialism, allowing you to apply the skills you have gained during your degree apprenticeship. Your project topic can be drawn from a variety of sources, such as current research relevant to your workplace or we can suggest topics aligned with your specialism. You will be required to justify your chosen topic or problem area by conducting a thorough literature review. We’ll review your thesis proposal to make sure it’s appropriate. Your data collection and analysis methodologies will need to be clearly presented for ethical approval before you begin. You’ll also be expected to demonstrate appropriate design and development techniques in your chosen area and present your work to both technical and non-technical audiences. In this final module, you're expected to take a holistic approach to problem-solving and gain confidence in tackling complex scenarios by making effective use of digital tools. It’s an opportunity to apply the technical and soft skills you’ve developed throughout your apprenticeship and demonstrate your capability.
This module supports apprentices in developing a structured digital portfolio that evidences their Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours (KSBs) against the Apprenticeship Standard – an essential part of Apprenticeships. You will collect, organise, and reflect on work-based evidence and academic assignments throughout your apprenticeship programme. The portfolio will contribute to End Point Assessment readiness and support progression towards the EPA Gateway. You will take part in structured tripartite review meetings with your employer and academic tutor. These sessions provide an opportunity to share progress, receive feedback, and agree on developmental targets that support both academic and workplace learning. Apprentices are expected to reflect regularly on their progress and take ownership of maintaining their CPD log and Off The Job (OTJ) learning record. These activities form a critical part of their digital portfolio, which documents their achievement of the Apprenticeship Standard.
On completion of this module, you’ll have a solid understanding of object-oriented techniques including inheritance, association, aggregation, polymorphism and encapsulation. Design techniques will aid the creation of software, helping you to develop Class Diagrams and other UML diagrams. You’ll gain practical programming knowledge through the development of programs in an object-oriented language such as C# and Java. Assessment includes weekly in-class tasks and a coursework assignment where you’ll develop a program to meet a set brief, supported by a report explaining your design decisions and object-oriented architecture.
Design patterns and algorithms are reusable solutions to common challenges in software design. In this module, you’ll explore modern design patterns and apply them to real-world scenarios, helping you develop the practical knowledge and skills expected of software engineering graduates.
The rapid evolution of cloud computing has transformed how we develop and deploy web applications. Traditional client-server models have given way to scalable, efficient cloud-based systems that simplify application lifecycles while enhancing scalability and reliability. This shift has made cloud-based solutions pivotal for modern digital ecosystems. In this module, you’ll gain the skills to navigate and excel in this exciting domain. You'll learn to install, configure, and secure web servers in cloud environments. You’ll also explore advanced topics like scripting for automation, managing virtual hosts, deploying secure applications, and leveraging cloud services. This module blends theoretical understanding with practical application, preparing you to design and implement secure, small-scale cloud-based systems, paving the way for your future in cloud computing.
This module builds on skills developed at Level 4 (Computer Systems and Network Fundamentals) and how to apply different networking protocols. Working through both theoretical and practical concepts, you’ll be introduced to technologies such as IPv4 and IPv6 as well as the use of modern multi-user operating systems such as Linux and Windows.
This module builds on the earlier Computer Systems and Networking Fundamentals module to further develop your understanding of internal and external risks to network computer systems. This module will help you identify cyber security risks and develop the knowledge and skills to mitigate them through both physical and logical controls, helping protect individuals and organisations from cybercrime.
In this module, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to design, secure, operate and troubleshoot enterprise networks. You’ll explore network architecture, components, operations and security, including technologies used to support large and complex networks such as wide area networks (WAN). You’ll also be introduced to software-defined networking, network virtualisation and automation, which play an important role in modern digital networks. Through lab-based activities, you’ll gain hands-on experience configuring and troubleshooting enterprise networks, applying what you learn to real workplace scenarios.