BCS Certificate in IT (NQF Level BCS Diploma in IT (NQF Level BCS Professional Graduate Diploma ( PGD)
4) 5) in IT (NQF Level 6)

Programme Description Programme Description Programme Description

This programme delivers the basic knowledge This programme delivers the basic This programme delivers comprehensive knowledge and
of computer science, including computer knowledge of computer science, including understanding of databases, information system management,
networks programming, algorithms, databases, computer networks programming, software engineering, and web engineering. Students will learn
IT service management and issues, and algorithms, databases, IT service to analyse and identify problems and apply technologies to
Internet technology. Once you understand how management and issues, and Internet develop efficient and scalable solutions. In addition, students
computers work and the technology behind technology. Once you understand how will be able to assess, design, employ, and manage databases
them, you will learn how to apply this computers work and the technology behind and information systems to meet the needs of various businesses
knowledge in a business setting. It also them, you will learn how to apply this and organizations.
explores how to solve a wide range of knowledge in a business setting. It also Upon successful completion of the project and examination
problems, including how to customize and explores how to solve a wide range of students can apply for selected postgraduate courses with UK
integrate systems to meet business and problems, including how to customize and universities. By beginning the Professional Graduate Diploma in
individual user needs, how to maintain day to integrate systems to meet business and IT level course BCS assumes knowledge of the Diploma in IT level
day operations, how to design networking individual user needs, how to maintain day modules (or exemption).
systems and how to handle security problems. to day operations, how to design networking This is the professional graduate diploma of Higher Education
systems and how to handle security Qualifications. This level is the academic equivalent to Year 3 of
 By beginning the Diploma in IT level course, problems. a UK University honours Degree and National Vocational
BCS assumes knowledge of the Certificate in IT  By beginning the Diploma in IT level course, Qualification (NVQ) level 6.
level modules (or exemption). BCS assumes a knowledge of the Certificate
This course is a Diploma of Higher Education in IT level modules (or exemption).
qualification. This level is the academic This course is a Diploma of Higher Education
equivalent to Year 2 of a UK university Honours qualification. This level is the academic
degree and National Vocational Qualification equivalent to Year 2 of a UK university
(NVQ) level 5. Honours degree and National Vocational
Qualification (NVQ) level 5.

Programme Structure Programme Structure Programme Structure

This programme consists of four modules: This programme consists of four modules: This programme is made of four (any four to be taken) modules:

 Professional Issues in Information  Professional Issues in Information  Advanced Database Management Systems
  Management Information Systems
Systems Practice (Core Module) Systems Practice (Core Module)  Software Engineering 2
 Computer Services Management
Any three subjects to be taken from the Any three subjects to be taken from the  Distributed and Parallel Systems (April only)
following list: following list:  Knowledge Based Systems (April only)
 Network Information Systems (April only)
 Computer Networks  Computer Networks  Programming Paradigms (April only)
 Database Management  Database Management  Realising the User Interface (April only)(this module has
 Object Oriented Programming  Object Oriented Programming replaced User Interface Design and is not available for
 Principles of Internet Technologies  Principles of Internet Technologies online registration)
(April only) (This module has replaced (April only) (This module has  System Design Methods (April only)
The Internet & World Wide Web and is replaced The Internet & World Wide  Web Engineering (April only)(this module has replaced
not available for online registration) Web and is not available for online WWW - Beyond the Basics and is not available for online
 IT Service Management (April only) registration) registration)
 Software engineering 1 (April only)  IT Service Management (April only)
 Principles of User Interface design  Software engineering 1 (April only)  
(April only)  Principles of User Interface design Professional Project
(April only) In order to finish the Professional Graduate Diploma in IT,
candidates must complete a project, which will be the academic
 
equivalent of a UK university Honours degree project and has a
recommended minimum study time of 300 hours. 
Duration/Delivery Method . Duration/Delivery Method
12 Months full-time taught module Duration/Delivery Method 12 Months full-time taught module
  12 Months full-time taught module  
Entry requirements   Entry requirements
Applicants must have attained one or more of Entry requirements Applicants must have attained one or more of the following
the following entry requirements: Applicants must have attained one or more entry requirements:
of the following entry requirements:
 UK GCE A-Level standard  UK GCE A-Level standard
 In the case of overseas qualifications,  UK GCE A-Level standard  In the case of overseas qualifications, candidates should
candidates should have completed  In the case of overseas have completed Higher Secondary or Intermediate level
Higher Secondary or Intermediate level qualifications, candidates should qualification.
qualification. have completed Higher Secondary or  Candidates should be at least 19 years old.
 Candidates should be at least 19 years Intermediate level qualification.  Students whose first language is not English will need an
old.  Candidates should be at least 19 IELTS overall score of 5.5
 Students whose first language is not years old.
English will need an IELTS overall score
 of 5.5  Students whose first language is not
English will need an IELTS overall
score of 5.5

Examinations Examinations
Examinations The examinations are set and marked by The examinations are set and marked by BCS and held twice a
The examinations are set and marked by BCS BCS and held twice a year October and year in October and April. All subjects will be assessed by a
and held twice a year October and April. All April. All subjects will be assessed by a written external examination of three hours duration.
subjects will be assessed by a written external written external examination of two hours April examinations: Register by the 15th January 2011
examination of two hours duration. duration. October examinations: Register by the 15th July 2011
April examinations: Register by the 15th April examinations: Register by the 15th  
January 2011 January 2011 April 2011 Exam Period
October examinations: Register by the 15th October examinations: Register by the Closing date for examination entry: 15 January 2011
July 2011 15th July 2011 Exam period: 19 April - 3 May 2011
   
April 2011 Exam Period April 2011 Exam Period
October 2011 Exam Period
 Closing date for examination entry: 15  Closing date for examination entry: Closing date for examination entry: 15 July 2011
January 2011 15 January 2011 Exam period: 26 September - 3 October 2011
 Exam period: 19 April - 3 May 2011  Exam period: 19 April - 3 May 2011  
Results
Candidates will be notified individually of their results normally
after the following dates.
October 2011 Exam Period October 2011 Exam Period
April 2011 Exam Period: 07 August 2011
October 2011 Exam Period: 20 December 2011
 Closing date for examination entry: 15  Closing date for examination entry:
July 2011 15 July 2011
 Exam period: 26 September - 3 October  Exam period: 26 September - 3
2011 October 2011

   
Results Results
Candidates will be notified individually of their Candidates will be notified individually of
results normally after the following dates. their results normally after the following
dates.
 April 2011 Exam Period: 07 August 2011
 October 2011 Exam Period: 20  April 2011 Exam Period: 07 August
2011
 December  October 2011 Exam Period: 20
December

Award Conditions Award Conditions Award Conditions

British Computer Society (BCS) Diploma in British Computer Society (BCS) Diploma in British Computer Society (BCS) Professional Graduate Diploma
IT (Level 5) will be awarded when a student IT (Level 5) will be awarded when a student in IT (Level 6) will be awarded when a student successfully has
has successfully passed all modules. A module has successfully passed all modules. A passed all modules. A module is passed when an overall module
is passed when an overall module mark of 40% module is passed when an overall module mark of 40% or more is attained.
or more is attained. mark of 40% or more is attained.  
    University Progression 
University Progression  University Progression  This level is the academic equivalent to Year 3 of a UK university
This level is the academic equivalent to Year 2 This level is the academic equivalent to Honours degree. On completion of this course you are eligible to
of a UK university Honours degree. On Year 2 of a UK university Honours degree . apply for selected postgraduate courses at university and you are
completion of this course you are eligible to On completion of this course you are eligible also eligible to apply for BCS professional membership (MBCS). 
apply to enter the third year of an IT-related to apply to enter the third year of an IT-
undergraduate programme at a UK university. related undergraduate programme at a UK
university