CISCO Certified Network Associate (Introduction to Networks - Switching Routes & Wireless Essential)
Course Type
Higher Education
Study Mode
Part-time
Duration
1 Year
Start & End Date
15 September 2026
1 June 2027
Days
Tue
Time
18:00-21:30
Location
Ballymena
Interview Required
Yes
The CCNAv7 curriculum is designed for people looking to gain a professional certification in networking which is recognised worldwide. Many of the world networks use CISCO equipment and technology. This course will be a good starting point for those who want a career in networks and networking.
The new CCNA v7.0 curriculum has been split into three courses:
The courses are delivered sequentially and each course is a prerequisite for the next course.
Students will study Introduction to Networks (ITN) & Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials.
Students will study Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation
CCNAv7: Introduction to Networks (ITN)
(ITN) covers the architecture, structure, functions and components of the Internet and other computer networks. Students achieve a basic understanding of how networks operate and how to build simple local area networks (LAN), perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement Internet Protocol (IP).
CCNAv7: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials
(SRWE) covers the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in small networks and introduces wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches for advanced functionality using security best practices and resolve common issues with protocols in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
CCNAv7: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation
(ENSA) describes the architecture, components, operations, and security to scale for large, complex networks, including wide area network (WAN) technologies. The course emphasizes network security concepts and introduces network virtualization and automation. Students learn how to configure, troubleshoot, and secure enterprise network devices and understand how application programming interfaces (API) and configuration management tools enable network automation.
To facilitate students learning in their own time, students are entitled to free Microsoft software for use at home via our Microsoft Imagine programme. This includes the latest Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office.
Subject to numbers, students completing Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNAv7 Year 1: Introduction to Networks - Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials) can progress to Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNAv7 Year 2: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation). Students will be prepared to take the new CCNAv7 exam (CCNA 200-301) after completing all three courses.
There are no prerequisite qualifications required for this course. Students are expected to have the following skills:
Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £180 | £90 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
Payment of fees must be arranged prior to course commencement and at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Fees for subsequent years (Year 2 and/or Year 3) may be subject to change due to annual increases in awarding body charges, such as registration or examination fees.
Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer, you must upload an approved Employer Consent Form to the online admissions portal.
Payment Options
You can pay your fees in full by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, direct debit payment or via a Student Loan. For further details visit our fees and funding page.
Contact Details
Student Loan Queries
T: 028 9085 5048
E: studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
Funding Options including Scholarships
There are several funds available to help with costs related to your course such as grants and scholarships. For further details visit our student finance page.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Additional mandatory costs are essential expenses which are required in order to complete your course. These costs are separate from, and in addition to, any course tuition fees. Most courses do not have any additional mandatory costs. Examples of additional mandatory costs includes trips which are included as a component of your course, essential textbooks which are not available from our learning resource centres, essential equipment which is not provided by the College, professional memberships which are linked directly to the course.
These costs do not include stationery materials or items which a student may choose to purchase, personal computer equipment or software or additional textbooks or journals, memberships of professional bodies not essential for your course. Many students will choose to purchase their own equipment and materials during their course, these are not mandatory costs. For most courses, equipment and materials will be provided by the College.
All tutors are qualified and experienced counsellors. This underpins the authenticity of teaching and learning activities as students engage with practitioners who understand the challenges and opportunities of the counselling role. The following teaching team deliver this course at Northern Regional College:
Staff Team
The CCNAv7 curriculum is designed for people looking to gain a professional certification in networking which is recognised worldwide. Many of the world networks use CISCO equipment and technology. This course will be a good starting point for those who want a career in networks and networking.
To facilitate students learning in their own time, students are entitled to free Microsoft software for use at home via our Microsoft Imagine programme. This includes the latest Microsoft Operating Systems and Microsoft Office.
The new CCNA v7.0 curriculum has been split into three courses:
The courses are delivered sequentially and each course is a prerequisite for the next course.
Students will study Introduction to Networks (ITN) & Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials.
Students will study Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation
CCNAv7: Introduction to Networks (ITN)
(ITN) covers the architecture, structure, functions and components of the Internet and other computer networks. Students achieve a basic understanding of how networks operate and how to build simple local area networks (LAN), perform basic configurations for routers and switches, and implement Internet Protocol (IP).
CCNAv7: Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials
(SRWE) covers the architecture, components, and operations of routers and switches in small networks and introduces wireless local area networks (WLAN) and security concepts. Students learn how to configure and troubleshoot routers and switches for advanced functionality using security best practices and resolve common issues with protocols in both IPv4 and IPv6 networks.
CCNAv7: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation
(ENSA) describes the architecture, components, operations, and security to scale for large, complex networks, including wide area network (WAN) technologies. The course emphasizes network security concepts and introduces network virtualization and automation. Students learn how to configure, troubleshoot, and secure enterprise network devices and understand how application programming interfaces (API) and configuration management tools enable network automation.
Subject to numbers, students completing Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNAv7 Year 1: Introduction to Networks - Switching, Routing, and Wireless Essentials) can progress to Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNAv7 Year 2: Enterprise Networking, Security, and Automation). Students will be prepared to take the new CCNAv7 exam (CCNA 200-301) after completing all three courses.
There are no prerequisite qualifications required for this course. Students are expected to have the following skills:
Where students wish to have prior education and/or experience taken into account, in lieu of meeting the full course entry requirements, they should contact the relevant Course Director or Admissions. APEL applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the start date of the programme. More details can be found in the APEL Policy.
Course Fees
| Year | Fee | Reduced Fee* |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | £180 | £90 |
| Total |
*For eligibility criteria, visit our fees and funding page.
Payment of fees must be arranged prior to course commencement and at the beginning of each academic year, regardless of whether your programme of study is one, two, or three years in duration. Fees for subsequent years (Year 2 and/or Year 3) may be subject to change due to annual increases in awarding body charges, such as registration or examination fees.
Please contact any Campus Reception to arrange payment of your course fees or to confirm you have uploaded evidence of your funding application or entitlement to the online admissions portal. Confirmation of your funding entitlement should also be forwarded to studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk.
If your fees are being paid by a sponsor/employer, you must upload an approved Employer Consent Form to the online admissions portal.
Payment Options
You can pay your fees in full by cash, cheque, credit/debit card, direct debit payment or via a Student Loan. For further details visit our fees and funding page.
Contact Details
Student Loan Queries
T: 028 9085 5048
E: studentfinance@nrc.ac.uk
Direct Debit or Payment Queries
E: finance@nrc.ac.uk
Funding Options including Scholarships
There are several funds available to help with costs related to your course such as grants and scholarships. For further details visit our student finance page.
Additional Mandatory Costs
Additional mandatory costs are essential expenses which are required in order to complete your course. These costs are separate from, and in addition to, any course tuition fees. Most courses do not have any additional mandatory costs. Examples of additional mandatory costs includes trips which are included as a component of your course, essential textbooks which are not available from our learning resource centres, essential equipment which is not provided by the College, professional memberships which are linked directly to the course.
These costs do not include stationery materials or items which a student may choose to purchase, personal computer equipment or software or additional textbooks or journals, memberships of professional bodies not essential for your course. Many students will choose to purchase their own equipment and materials during their course, these are not mandatory costs. For most courses, equipment and materials will be provided by the College.