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Marketing Title
01/09/2026
Format
25/06/2027
Format
Level 1
Full-Time
ADISF101 (2026/2027)
Accrington & Rossendale College - Accrington & Rossendale College, Broad Oak Campus, Broad Oak Road, Accrington, BB5 2AS
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Course Information

Course Information
Get confident with technology on the Essential Digital Skills Level 1 course! You’ll learn how to use your phone, laptop, and tablet more effectively, as well as create and edit documents, photos, and videos. You’ll also gain experience sending emails, joining video calls, and managing your online identity. Most importantly, you’ll learn how to stay safe online by protecting your personal information and avoiding scams. With engaging, practical lessons, this course will boost your confidence and help you prepare to progress in this exciting subject.

Learn the essential skills every digital user needs.
If you’re looking for a supportive introduction to your tech studies, the Essential Digital Skills Level 1 course is the ideal place to start. It’s designed to help you build your confidence with technology, learn the basics of digital skills, and prepare you to move on to further studies.

On the course, you’ll get to know your devices—phones, tablets, and laptops—so you can use them more effectively and solve simple problems when they happen. You’ll learn how to search online, save files, and stay organised with your work.

You’ll also develop practical skills in creating and editing. From using Word and Excel to producing documents, to exploring images, videos, and sound, you’ll see how digital tools can be used in fun, creative, and useful ways. Communication is another big focus—you’ll practise sending emails, taking part in video calls, and filling in online forms confidently.

Staying safe online is an important part of the course, too. You’ll discover how to protect your personal information, avoid scams, and use the internet responsibly.

Every lesson is practical and hands-on, so you’ll be using technology all the time. By the end of the course, you’ll feel more confident with your digital skills and ready to take the next step, building on your firm foundation.

This is your first step into digital learning at college, and the start of your journey.
Level 1 Essential Digital Skills is delivered through classroom learning, practical workshops, and hands-on tasks. In college, you’ll develop confidence using everyday digital tools, including email, word processing, spreadsheets, and online communication. Lessons are interactive and focused on applying skills to real-life situations, such as online safety, managing information, and problem-solving. The course is designed to be supportive and accessible, ensuring you gain the digital skills needed for further study, employment, or independent living in today’s digital world.
2 GCSE passes at a minimum of Grade 3, which must include a Grade 2 and 3 in English Language and Maths, in either combination.
Assessment for Level 1 Essential Digital Skills is externally set, but marked by staff at college. It has two parts: Section A, a multiple-choice paper testing knowledge, and Section B, a task-based assessment where you demonstrate practical skills using digital tools. The assessment takes place online and lasts around 145 minutes in total. It covers five core areas: using devices, creating and editing information, communicating, transacting online, and staying safe and responsible when using digital technology.
Studying Level 1 Essential Digital Skills helps you build confidence in using technology in everyday life, work, and learning. This course is not just about using computers—it develops the basic skills needed to communicate online, create documents, and stay safe in the digital world. On completion, you may consider entry-level opportunities in areas such as administration, retail, customer service, or hospitality, where digital skills are part of daily work.

For many learners, the natural progression is to move on to Level 2 Digital or another IT-based course. From there, you can progress further to Level 3, opening the door to university pathways in Computer Science, Data Science, or Digital Media. These routes can lead to careers such as Software Developer, Cyber Security Analyst, or IT Project Manager.

Digital skills are now essential across all jobs, from business and healthcare to education and finance. Whether your next step is to use your skills in entry-level employment or continue your studies towards more technical roles, Level 1 Essential Digital Skills gives you the foundation, confidence, and experience to move forward.
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