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Computing

Level 1 Award in Digital and IT Skills (600/8914/3) Gateway

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Overview

This qualification is for learners who want to develop and extend their digital skills to prepare for employment in different roles in the digital industries.

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You will complete 2 different units to achieve your qualification.

Using Microsoft Word, to complete the Word Processing Unit and Microsoft Excel, to complete the Spreadsheet software unit.

Word Processing will develop your word processing skills so you can produce a range of standard documents with a professional presentation. you will create different types of documents e.g. letters, memos, and reports and you will also learn that an integral part of document production is the ability to review and adjust content and presentation, using a combination of in-built tools such as spelling and grammar checkers, and by using manual techniques, such as proofreading and visually checking professional presentation.

For the spreadsheets unit, you will learn how to create spreadsheets to carry out calculations such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, averages, and totals. You will also develop skills in presenting spreadsheet data in different ways, using numbers, text, and graphs.

This classroom-based course contains all the learning content needed to meet the assessment requirements of the course.  There are also activities to enable you to practise your skills and test your learning.

You can enrol at any time, and it is flexible, tutor support is available in class, telephone, and email.

How you’ll learn

To achieve the qualification, you need to complete 2 units. 

  • Word Processing 24 GLH
  • Spreadsheets Software 24 GLH
Entry and progression

What you need and where it leads

  1. Entry requirements
  2. This course Level 1
  3. Further study

Entry requirements

There are no specific recommended prior learning requirements for this qualification, however, you must:

  • Currently live in England
  • Resident in the UK/EU for 3+ years, for purposes other than study
  • be aged 19+
  • Not be on an apprenticeship

Not sure you meet these? Talk to us and we will help you find the right starting point.

Further study

See all 17 courses

At this college

At North Lindsey College

Careers it can lead to

With further study or experience

  • IT Operations Technicians £33,400 a year
  • IT User Support Technicians £30,200 a year
  • Computer System and Equipment Installers and Servicers £33,600 a year
  • Information Technology Trainers £32,700 a year
See all 6 careers
  • Database Administrators and Web Content Technicians £32,200 a year
  • IT Project Managers £51,100 a year

Typical pay is the UK median for each job (Lightcast, October 2026).

Fees and funding

Funded If you are currently receiving a benefit or if you earn less than £23,400 a year.

Financial support

We also have a range of other financial support available.

Questions about fees?

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or call 0800 358 7575

Your next step

Apply now, come and see us first, or ask us anything.

Ready to apply?

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What happens after you apply

1

You apply

Apply online and you’ll get a confirmation email.

2

You meet your tutor

We’ll invite you to an interview to talk through the course and your plans, and make sure it’s right for you.

3

You get an offer

We’ll email you an offer, then invite you to enrol.

Read our full guide to applying