CCEA
Level 3
QN: 601/8914/9
Curriculum Active
CCEA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Software Systems Development
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by CCEA. Classified as a GCE A Level.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
CCEA
Syllabus Units
4 Units
Guided Hours
Flexible
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Data Types, Structures and Algorithms
Algorithms
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Design and implement sorting algorithms (bubble, insertion, merge, quick)
- Design and implement searching algorithms (linear, binary)
- Analyse algorithm efficiency using Big O notation
2
Data Types, Structures and Algorithms
Data Structures
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe and implement stacks, queues, linked lists, trees, graphs
- Perform operations on data structures (push, pop, enqueue, dequeue, insert, delete, traverse)
3
Data Types, Structures and Algorithms
Data Types
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define and use primitive data types (integer, real, char, string, Boolean)
- Explain and use composite data types (arrays, records, sets)
4
Databases and SQL
Database Concepts
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain relational database model (tables, tuples, attributes)
- Define primary keys, foreign keys, and indexes
- Normalise data to third normal form (3NF)
5
Databases and SQL
Database Design and Implementation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Create entity-relationship diagrams (ERDs)
- Implement a database from a design
6
Databases and SQL
Relational Database Concepts
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define tables, tuples, attributes, primary keys, foreign keys
- Normalise data to 3NF
7
Databases and SQL
SQL
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Write DDL statements (CREATE, ALTER, DROP)
- Write DML statements (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
- Use joins, subqueries, aggregate functions
8
Databases and SQL
Structured Query Language (SQL)
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Write DDL statements (CREATE, ALTER, DROP)
- Write DML statements (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE)
- Use joins (INNER, LEFT, RIGHT) and subqueries
9
Networking and Web Technologies
Network Fundamentals
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe network topologies (star, bus, ring, mesh)
- Explain protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, SMTP)
- Understand IP addressing and DNS
10
Networking and Web Technologies
Web Development
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Create static web pages using HTML and CSS
- Implement client-side scripting with JavaScript
- Understand server-side processing (e.g., PHP, ASP.NET)
11
Programming Concepts and Paradigms
Event-Driven Programming
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Handle user interface events (click, keypress, timer)
- Implement event listeners and callbacks
12
Programming Concepts and Paradigms
Object-Oriented Programming
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define classes and create objects
- Implement inheritance, polymorphism, encapsulation
- Use abstract classes and interfaces
13
Programming Concepts and Paradigms
Programming Fundamentals
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Use variables, constants, operators, and expressions
- Implement selection (if, case) and iteration (for, while, repeat)
- Define and use procedures and functions with parameters
14
Programming Concepts and Paradigms
Structured Programming
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Use sequence, selection, iteration constructs
- Design and implement modular programs using functions/procedures
- Apply parameter passing (by value, by reference)
15
Software Development Process
Design
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Produce structure charts, class diagrams, flowcharts
- Design user interfaces and database schemas
16
Software Development Process
Maintenance
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe corrective, adaptive, perfective maintenance
- Use version control systems (e.g., Git)
17
Software Development Process
Quality Assurance
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Apply coding standards and best practices
- Conduct code reviews and walkthroughs
- Use version control systems (e.g., Git)
18
Software Development Process
Requirements Analysis
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Gather and document functional/non-functional requirements
- Create use case diagrams and user stories
19
Software Development Process
System Development Life Cycle
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe phases: analysis, design, implementation, testing, maintenance
- Compare waterfall, iterative, agile methodologies
20
Software Development Process
Testing
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Plan and execute unit, integration, system, acceptance testing
- Use black-box and white-box testing techniques
21
Software Development Process
Testing and Debugging
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Design test plans (unit, integration, system, acceptance)
- Use black-box and white-box testing techniques
- Debug using breakpoints, watches, and trace tables
22
Systems Software and Networking
Computer Networks
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe network topologies (star, bus, mesh)
- Explain protocols (TCP/IP, HTTP, FTP, DNS)
- Understand IP addressing and subnetting
23
Systems Software and Networking
Operating Systems
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe functions: process management, memory management, file systems
- Explain scheduling algorithms (FCFS, SJF, round-robin)
24
Systems Software and Networking
Security
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identify threats (malware, phishing, DoS)
- Apply security measures (encryption, firewalls, authentication)
25
Systems Software and Security
Computer Security
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identify threats (malware, phishing, DoS attacks)
- Implement security measures (encryption, firewalls, authentication)
- Understand ethical and legal issues (Data Protection Act, Computer Misuse Act)
26
Systems Software and Security
Operating Systems
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe functions of an OS (process management, memory management, file management)
- Explain scheduling algorithms (FCFS, SJF, round robin)
- Understand virtual memory and paging
27
Web Technologies
Client-Side Scripting
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Write JavaScript for form validation, DOM manipulation, event handling
- Use AJAX for asynchronous data loading
28
Web Technologies
HTML and CSS
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Construct web pages using HTML5 semantic elements (e.g., header, nav, section, article, footer) to define document structure.
- Apply CSS3 selectors (element, class, ID, attribute, pseudo-class) to target and style HTML elements.
- Demonstrate understanding of the CSS box model by controlling dimensions, padding, borders, and margins.
- Implement responsive web design using media queries, fluid grids, and flexible images.
- Evaluate the accessibility of web pages by applying WCAG-compliant practices such as alt text and ARIA roles.
29
Web Technologies
Server-Side Scripting
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Write server-side code (e.g., PHP, Node.js) to handle form data
- Connect to databases and perform CRUD operations
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 601/8914/9
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- CCEA
- Qualification Type
- GCE A Level
- Operational Start
- Sept 2016
- Operational End
- Aug 2029