Vinay Thawait, Computer Science, IT and Creative iMedia Subject Advisor

The first of our exciting new Level 3 Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) qualifications are available for first teaching from September 2025. These include IT, computing, applied science, engineering, health and social care and human biology.

 Designed for students aged 16 to 19 years, these Level 3 qualifications can be studied together or combined with A Levels and other Level 3 qualifications as part of a post-16 mixed-study programme. They provide students with the practical and essential skills and knowledge they need to prepare themselves for higher education and employment. 

We’ve held a series of launch webinars about our Cambridge Advanced Nationals Alternative Academic Qualifications (AAQs). In this blog I’ll share answers to questions that teachers have asked in these events. A further blog will include answers to questions specific to the non-examined assessment (NEA). 

Much of this information also applies to our other Level 3 Cambridge Advanced Nationals.

What AAQs are available in IT and Computing?

Our Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Computing: Application Development and Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in IT: Data Analytics are both available for first teaching from September 2025. 

Our AAQ in Cyber Security and Networks has been submitted to DfE and Ofqual for funding approval to first teach from September 2026. Watch out for more details on this from us. You can download the draft specification and the sample assessment materials.

Can I still teach Cambridge Technicals?

The Level 3 Cambridge Technical Certificate, Extended Certificate and Introductory Diploma in IT are replaced by new Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) from September 2025. 

The larger qualifications – the Diploma (720GLH) and Extended Diploma (1080GLH) – will continue to be funded for Year 12 students starting in September 2025 until they complete their qualification. 

Currently, there is no funding available for students starting the Diploma or Extended Diploma qualification from September 2026.

Can students study AAQs alongside A Levels or other qualifications?

Our AAQs are designed to complement existing A Levels. 16 to 19 year old students who want to progress onto further or higher education, but don't want to study only A Levels (or a T Level programme), can choose a mixed study programme. 

Are teaching resources available for these qualifications? 

Yes. Our support materials for learning and teaching includes endorsed textbooks, scheme of works, sample assessment materials, curriculum planners, switching and mapping guides, candidate style work and candidate style answers. 

All our learning and teaching resources for AAQs, including the live assessment materials, are available to download from Teach Cambridge. They are also available on our public facing website without live assessment materials.

What support do you have for me as a new centre?

For teachers moving from another exam board, we have developed switching guide documents for both IT: Data Analytics and Computing: Application Development AAQs. These are available to download from our public website and from Teach Cambridge. 

You also have access to our dedicated subject advisor for support related to the delivery and assessment. You can arrange a one-to-one Microsoft Teams meeting with a subject advisor, or ask any questions, by contacting our customer support service team at support@ocr.org.uk. 

How do I get access to Teach Cambridge and support resources?

Please contact your exams officer to request access to Teach Cambridge. If you are not an OCR centre, or new to OCR, then your exams officer should contact support@ocr.org.uk or access My Cambridge for exams officers webpage to set up your centre and users.

When do the exams for AAQs have to be taken?

Cambridge Advanced Nationals exams are available every January and June series.  You must make entries for the exam series in which the student will be taking the exam. 

Entry deadlines are as follows:

Is there a ‘terminal rule’ for Cambridge Advanced Nationals??

No. Unlike our Cambridge Nationals there is no requirement to take exams as terminal assessment at the end of the course. Examined units can be taken in any January and/or June series.

Students can resit the examined unit twice before they complete the qualification.

What about UCAS Tariff points?

OCR Level 3 Cambridge Advanced Nationals (AAQs) are worth UCAS Tariff points and you can see full details on the UCAS Tariff points calculator.

What fees apply to Cambridge Advanced Nationals?

Full details of fees are on the administration section of our website. Please always access the website directly to make sure you have the most up-to-date information.

Where can I get more information?

For more information, you can download our specifications, sample assessment materials, mapping and switching guides and scheme of works from our qualifications webpage. 

We also have a Facebook group specifically for teachers of the Computing: Application Development and IT: Data Analytic Cambridge Advanced Nationals. You must answer all membership questions and agree to the group rules. Please note that for privacy reasons we advise you to create a new Facebook account rather than using your personal one.

Stay connected

If you have any questions please email us at vocational.qualifications@ocr.org.uk or support@ocr.org.uk. You can also follow us on LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter) or call our customer support centre on 01223 553998.

You can also sign up to receive email updates about resources and support and you can stay up to date using our dedicated support area. 

If you are considering teaching any of our qualifications, use our online form to let us know, so that we can help you with more information.

About the author

Vinay joined OCR in July 2014 to support the GQ reform and development of the AS and A Level Computer Science qualifications. Since then, he has been involved in the development of the reformed GCSE (9-1) Computer Science, Entry Level Computer Science, Cambridge National in IT, new Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in IT: Data Analytics and Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Computing: Application development qualification. He is currently working on the Wave 1b Level 3 Cambridge Advanced National (AAQ) in Cyber Security and Networks qualification.  

Before joining OCR, Vinay spent more than 25 years in IT and Computer Science teaching and leadership roles, working for several schools as well as local authorities educational support team. He was the National Bid Lead for the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) initiative within Capita IT, and also the Head of Operations for an audio-visual educational software development company. 

 Vinay has a degree, three post-graduate masters and NPQH from Warwick, Coventry, and Nottingham Universities. Outside work, he takes part in karate, cricket, and badminton. He doesn’t believe in ‘just sitting down and watching TV’.