Cambridge OCR · RQF Level 2
Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT
You don’t just earn this. You learn to use it, one-to-one, on your own real work.
- LevelRQF Level 2
- Total credits30
- Guided learning180 hours
- Units in this qualification30
Awarded by Cambridge OCR · on the Ofqual register
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See how this course maps onto your role
Ten quick questions, one per Future Fluency, asked against this qualification rather than a generic one.
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What you’ll learn
What each unit actually teaches you to do
This Level 2 qualification is for learners seeking to develop practical skills in the digital technology sector. It covers areas such as IT communication, hardware installation, and business IT skills. Successful candidates will gain a foundation for further study or entry-level employment in IT.
These are the units Cambridge OCR registers against this qualification. It is a catalogue, not a syllabus. Which of them you take depends on the combination the qualification requires, and that is set by the awarding body rather than by us. Every unit here is regulated, and every one you earn is yours to keep.
Animation techniquesReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Describe a range of animation techniques
- Explain the principles behind different animation techniques
- Develop ideas for an animation sequence, considering target audience and purpose
- Create an animation sequence using appropriate techniques
- Review own animation production, identifying areas for improvement
Basic computing conceptsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the concepts and methods of file transfer between different devices and systems
- Understand the use of different number systems, such as binary, decimal, and hexadecimal, in computing contexts
- Know how IT systems utilise various hardware components, including processors, memory, and storage devices
- Understand the platform choices available for system solutions, considering factors such as operating systems and hardware compatibility
Business IT skillsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the requirements for solving business problems using IT solutions
- Find information to support the development of business solutions
- Use spreadsheet models to support business solutions and decision-making
- Present business solutions effectively to stakeholders
- Evaluate the effectiveness of implemented business solutions
Communicating in the IT industryReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Communicate information effectively, adapting style and content to suit the intended audience, purpose, and context
- Utilise a range of IT tools and technologies to communicate and exchange information efficiently and securely
- Understand the impact of IT on individuals, communities, and society, considering both the positive and negative implications
Computer graphicsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know the hardware and software required to work with computer graphics, including graphics cards, monitors, and graphics editing software
- Create computer graphics to meet a user need, considering the target audience and purpose of the graphic
- Use computer graphics to enhance a document, improving its visual appeal and readability
Computer systemsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know the common components of computer systems, including hardware and software elements.
- Know the different uses of computer systems in various contexts and applications.
- Connect computer hardware components correctly and safely.
- Configure computer software settings to meet specific requirements.
Customising softwareReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand why application software is customised for different purposes and user needs
- Customise application software to meet specific requirements
- Create templates in application software to improve efficiency and consistency
- Create macros and shortcuts in application software to automate tasks
Database systemsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the principles of database systems, including data storage, retrieval, and manipulation
- Create non-relational database systems for specific applications
- Use database software tools to manage and query data
Developing computer gamesReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Identify the different types of computer game available
- Describe the characteristics of different types of computer game
- Explain the impact of computer games on society
- Analyse the impact of computer games on individuals
- Design a computer game, taking into account target audience and game mechanics
- Test a computer game to identify and resolve any issues
- Document the testing process and results for a computer game
Developing programming solutionsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the characteristics of appropriate programming languages for a proposed software solution
- Produce programming code that meets the requirements of a specified software solution
- Debug programming code to identify and correct errors in a software solution
- Test a software solution to ensure it functions correctly and meets the specified requirements
Doing business onlineReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Describe different online business activities, such as e-commerce, online marketing, and social media engagement
- Identify what to consider when setting up an online business, including website design, payment processing, and customer service
- Understand the operation of an online business, including order fulfilment, inventory management, and data analysis
- Understand the benefits of an online business presence for reaching new customers and increasing sales
Fundamentals of computer applicationsReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Describe the features of different computer applications
- Explain how computer applications are used in various contexts
- Design a computer application to meet specific requirements
- Create technical documentation for a computer application, including user guides and specifications
IT SupportReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Recognise the common issues that IT users may experience when using computer systems and software
- Accurately record user support requests, ensuring all relevant information is captured
- Provide effective IT support to users, addressing their issues in a timely and professional manner
- Understand the importance of analysing trends in IT support requests to identify recurring problems and improve IT services
IT fault diagnosis and remedyReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the procedures used in the IT diagnostics process, including troubleshooting methodologies and diagnostic tools
- Identify the cause of common IT faults, using diagnostic techniques and available resources
- Apply suitable remedies to identified IT faults, following established procedures and best practices
IT securityReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Identify the potential threats to the security of IT systems, including malware, phishing, and social engineering
- Understand how to protect IT systems from threats through measures such as firewalls, antivirus software, and access controls
- Apply security measures to protect IT systems and data from unauthorised access and damage
Installing computer hardwareReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know the reasons for installing hardware components and the implications of doing so
- Understand the risks involved in installing hardware components and the precautions needed to mitigate them
- Install and test hardware components according to manufacturer instructions and safety guidelines
- Document a hardware installation or upgrade process, including configuration details and test results
Installing computer softwareReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know the standard software installation processes and procedures
- Prepare a computer system for software installation, including checking system requirements and creating backups
- Install and configure software according to user requirements and best practices
- Test and document a software installation, including verifying functionality and recording configuration settings
Interactive media productionReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know about the key elements involved in interactive media production, including design principles and technical considerations.
- Develop creative and feasible ideas for an interactive media product, considering target audience and purpose.
- Create an interactive media product, applying relevant skills and techniques.
- Review own interactive media production work, identifying areas for improvement and reflecting on the production process.
Mobile communications technologyReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Describe the uses and features of various mobile communications devices, such as smartphones and tablets
- Identify the communication technologies used in mobile devices, including Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and cellular networks
- Understand the implications of mobile communications technology for individuals and organisations, including security and privacy concerns
- Set up mobile communications devices for different purposes, such as email, internet access, and file sharing
Multimedia designReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand different types of digital media, including audio, video, images, and animation, and their characteristics
- Design multimedia products, considering the target audience, purpose, and technical requirements
- Develop multimedia products using appropriate software and techniques, integrating different media types effectively
- Present and review multimedia products, gathering feedback and making necessary revisions
Presenting information using ITReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand the purpose of different document types used in presenting information.
- Know appropriate software applications to present and communicate information effectively.
- Produce appropriate documents tailored for different audiences, considering their needs and understanding.
- Review documents to ensure accuracy, clarity, and suitability for their intended purpose.
Project planning using ITReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Prepare effectively for a project, including defining scope and objectives.
- Produce a comprehensive project plan, outlining tasks, timelines, and resources.
- Follow a project plan to implement a project, managing tasks and resources effectively.
- Review a project upon completion to ensure it meets its goals and objectives, and to identify lessons learned.
Setting up an IT networkReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know the current uses of computer networks in various contexts
- Know the features and services of local area network (LAN) and wide area network (WAN) technologies
- Understand how network hardware and software components are connected and configured
- Set up a simple local area network, including configuring network devices and testing connectivity
Spreadsheet modellingReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Describe what spreadsheets are and their purpose
- Explain how spreadsheets can be used in different contexts
- Develop spreadsheet models to solve specific problems
- Test spreadsheet models to ensure accuracy and functionality
- Document the development and testing process for spreadsheet models
Supporting organisations with ITReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know the various ways in which organisations utilise IT to support their operations.
- Understand the reasons why organisations adopt and rely on IT solutions.
- Understand the impact of IT on individuals within organisations and on the organisations themselves.
- Plan a working environment that effectively incorporates IT resources and infrastructure.
Systems software and hardware for developmentReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Identify the system software required for software development
- Describe the functions of different system software components
- Identify the hardware required for software development
- Describe the specifications of different hardware components
- Explain the systems software and hardware constraints of software development
- Describe solutions to systems software constraints
- Describe solutions to hardware constraints
Understanding Big DataReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand what is meant by Big Data, including its characteristics, volume, velocity, and variety
- Understand how Big Data is used in different industries and applications to gain insights and make informed decisions
- Understand how Big Data is processed using various techniques and technologies, such as data mining and machine learning
Understanding cloud computingReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Understand what is meant by cloud computing, including its different service models (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS) and deployment models (public, private, hybrid)
- Know how cloud computing relates to business, including its benefits, challenges, and impact on business operations
- Understand the technical perspectives for different cloud types, including infrastructure, security, and scalability considerations
- Understand how to identify a successful adoption of cloud computing, including key performance indicators and metrics
Website developmentReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Know web architecture and components, including servers, databases, and client-side technologies
- Understand how websites can be used by organisations to achieve their business objectives, including marketing, communication, and e-commerce
- Design website components, such as navigation menus, forms, and content layouts, considering user experience and accessibility
- Create website components using appropriate technologies, such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Working in the IT industryReal unit · Cambridge OCR
What you'll be able to do
- Recognise the characteristics that are valued by employers in the IT industry
- Identify the common job roles undertaken by people working in the IT industry
The honest bit
You’ve started things before
Most courses were built for a room full of people who aren’t you. A cohort moves on whether or not your week allowed it, and by the third week the thing you’re behind on becomes the reason you stop opening it.
There’s no cohort here, and no timetable to fall behind. Before anything starts, Zavmo asks when you’re sharpest and how long you can realistically sit down for, then builds the sessions around those answers. A bad fortnight changes your pace. It doesn’t put you behind.
And you only pay once you start learning. Searching and planning are free, and you can cancel any time — so the cost of finding out is an afternoon, not a year.
Your passport
Every credit is a stamp you keep
Level 2 credits are regulated. They don’t vanish when a subscription ends or a website closes. They travel to any employer, and Zavmo keeps the map of what you’ve earned and what’s next.
Each stamp is a real unit registered against this qualification.
Who’d teach you this
The Evidence Evaluator
Assessor
Helps you show what you can actually do, gathering the evidence that proves it as you learn.
Meet all twelve tutorsWhere this connects
Where these credits take you
A qualification is never a dead end here. See the jobs its credits open, the national occupational standards its units map to, and the future skills they quietly build.
- Carry out IT Business Analysis Assignments
- Communication in IT Business Analysis Activities
- Perform coding for simple business problems
- Plan an IT project
- Supporting IT Business Analysis: Gathering and Communicating Data
- Undertake Real-Time Software Solution Development
Where this can lead
IT Support Technician
Your career here isn't a fixed path; it's a journey you'll shape. We're committed to giving you the opportunities, training, and support to explore where your talents can take you, whether that's deeper into technical specialisation or into leadership. The key is your drive to learn and make an impact.
See the whole journey →Showing 6 roles, drawn from 35 job records mapped to this qualification.
Skills it covers
What the job actually needs. These are the standards the units are built against, in the words employers and awarding bodies already use for the work itself.
How you’ll actually learn this
One-to-one, on your own real work
A qualification is usually something done to you: sit the class, sit the exam, hope it sticks. Here it’s the opposite. You learn it one-to-one with a companion, on your own real work, and you keep going until you can use it, not just recall it.
Applied to your work in any of these jobs
This unit covers various animation techniques including traditional, digital, stop motion, 2D, and 3D animation. Learners will develop ideas, create animation sequences, and review their work to improve production quality.
- Remember
- Understand
- Apply
- Analyse
- Evaluate
- Create
Built for Cambridge OCR Level 2 Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate in IT
30 units in this credential, in the order it lists them, awarded by Cambridge OCR.
- Animation techniques
- Basic computing concepts
- Business IT skills
- Communicating in the IT industry
- Computer graphics
- Computer systems
and 24 more in the full unit list below.
One to one, not one to many
No two people run this the same way
A course is written once and handed to everyone. This is assembled around you, and keeps changing as it learns you. Five things it reads, and what each one changes.
- Your actual work Every unit is taught against a live piece of your own work, not a worked example from a textbook.
- What you already know The first conversation finds your starting point, so you skip what you can already do and spend the time on what you cannot.
- The conditions you learn under Not a learning-styles quiz. The evidence does not support those. The dimensions the research does back, read once and used to shape the plan.
- How far you got last time It picks up mid-thought. The tutor knows what you said, what you struggled with, and what it asked you to try.
- Which tutor suits the moment Twelve of them, each for a different kind of thinking. The one who walks you through a first idea is not the one who stress-tests it.
See how you learn, free. Eight questions, no sign-up. A directional taster; the diagnostic inside Zavmo goes deeper and keeps adapting.
Why it sticks
Most courses stop at remembering
There’s a well-known ladder of how deeply you learn something, called Bloom’s Taxonomy. Most courses get you up the first two rungs: you remember some facts, you pass a test, you forget it. Real skill lives at the top. Judging, deciding, creating. And this isn’t a generic ladder: every rung has a named Zavmo tutor who walks you up it.
- 6CreateThe Creative Catalyst
- 5EvaluateThe Evidence Evaluator
- 4AnalyseThe Analyst
- 3ApplyThe Coach
- 2UnderstandThe Connector
- 1RememberThe Builder
Where most courses leave you Where Zavmo takes you
The value
Why the companion is worth £70 a month
You’re not paying for the units. They’re regulated, and the same wherever you earn them. You’re paying for the one thing that decides whether you actually get there: a companion that makes them stick, on your real work.
That is one-to-one on this qualification, every day, on the work you already do, for £70 a month. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it. Billed monthly, cancel any time and billing stops.
Earned on your own work, taught to the top.
Everything you just read, learned one-to-one on the job you already do. Your first module is free, so you can see the teaching before you pay for any of it.
Build my plan, freeNo card. See how this qualification maps onto your role and meet the tutors who’d teach it, free. The learning begins when you subscribe. It’s £70 a month, billed monthly. Cancel any time and billing stops.